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DOWN THE WINDING RIVER
35

suppose you happened not to be by? Nay, I’ll take no risks, thank you!”

“I know not in what way you will be in danger,” answered the Pegan gravely. “But thrice I have dreamed the same dream, and in the dream ’tis as I have told.”

“Methinks your dreams smack of this witchcraft of which we hear so much of late,” said David slyly, “and belong not to that religion that you teach, Pikot.”

“Nay, for the Bible tells much of dreams. Did not Joseph, when sold by his wicked brothers in Egypt, tell truly what meant the dreams of the great King? My people in such way tell their dreams to the powwows, and the powwows explain them. It may be that dreams are the whisperings of the Great Spirit. But listen, my brother, to a matter that is of greater moment. Fifteen days ago your father and Master Vernham made captive three Indians and took them to Boston where they now wait judgment of the court. One is named Nausauwah, a young brave who is a son of Woosonametipom, whose lands are westward by the Lone Hill.”

“But my father thinks that they are Mohegans, Pikot.”

“Nay, they are Wachoosetts. Nausauwah