Now, when a man's lips widen I look into his
eyes. The eyes of Opechancanough were as fathomless as a pool at
midnight, and as devoid of mirth or friendliness as the staring orbs
of the carven imps upon the temple corners.
"Singing birds have lied to Captain Percy," he said, and his voice
was like his eyes. "Opechancanough thinks that Captain Percy will
never listen to them again. The chief of the Powhatans is a lover of
the white men, of the English, and of other white men, - if there
are others. He would call the Englishmen his brothers, and be
taught of them how to rule, and who to pray to" -
"Let Opechancanough go with me to-day to Jamestown," I said.
"He hath the wisdom of the woods; let him come and gain that of
the town."
The Emperor smiled again. "I will come to Jamestown soon, but
not to-day nor to-morrow nor the next day. And Captain Percy
must smoke the peace pipe in my lodge above the Pamunkey, and
watch my young men and maidens dance, and eat with me five
days. Then he may go back to Jamestown with presents for the
great white father there, and with a message that Opechancanough
is coming soon to learn of the white men."
I could have gnashed my teeth at that delay when she must think
me dead, but it would have been the madness of folly to show the
impatience which I felt. I too could smile with my lips when
occasion drove, and drink a bitter draught as though my soul
delighted in it.
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