"I could have sworn that that
voice came from the bowels of the earth. 'T is the strangest gift!"
"A mere trick," he said, with his great laugh, "but it has served me
well on more occasions than one. It is not known in Virginia, sir,
but before ever the word of the Lord came to me to save poor silly
souls I was a player. Once I played the King's ghost in Will
Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' and then, I warrant you, I spoke from the
cellarage indeed. I so frighted players and playgoers that they
swore it was witchcraft, and Burbage's knees did knock together in
dead earnest. But to the matter in hand. When I had thrown yonder
stone, I walked quietly down to the Governor's house and looked
through the window. The Governor hath the Company's letters, and
he and the Council - all save the reprobate Pory - sit there staring
at them and drumming with their fingers on the table."
"Is Rolfe of the Council?" I asked.
"Ay; he was speaking, - for you, I suppose, though I heard not the
words. They all listened, but they all shook their heads."
"We shall know in the morning," I said. "The night grows wilder,
and honest folks should be abed. Nantauquas, good-night. When
will you have tamed your panther?"
"It is now the moon of cohonks," answered the Indian. "When the
moon of blossoms is here, the panther shall roll at the beautiful
lady's feet.
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