Waiving a statement of the charges which Ninigret made, or might have made, on the other hand, against the English, we shall only observe in conclusion that whatever may be thought of his political course, there are points in his personal character not unworthy of esteem and even of admiration. It was noble in him, according to the principles of a warrior and king, to revenge, as far as he was able, the cool-blooded massacre of his relative and predecessor. That purpose he pursued with undaunted courage and indefatigable energy. He would gladly have avoided a contest with the English; but he would not sacrifice his honor either to his friendship or his interest. The spirit with which he repulsed their attempts to interfere in his contest with the Long-Islanders, indicated a soul of the same stamp. His reasoning upon that occasion--assuming the truth of his premises, which we have no means either of proving or falsifying--appears to us wholly unanswerable. CHAPTER XIII. The Pequot tribe--Their first chief-sachem known to the English, Pekoath--succeeded by Sassacus--An embassy sent to Boston in 1631--Residence and strong-holds of Sassacus--His earliest intercourse with the English--Murder of Captain Stone--Justification of it by Sassacus--He proposes a treaty of peace in 1684--Sends deputies to Boston twice--Treaty concluded--Anecdotes--His wars with the Narraghansetts--Fresh controversy with the English--They send an armed party to demand damages--Conduct of the party, and consequences of it--War with the Pequots in 1636--Political movements of Sassacus--English expedition against him in 1637--He is defeated--Driven from his country--Killed by the Mohawks--The English policy in his case briefly considered. The Pequots, or Pequods, inhabited that part of the southern coast of New England, which is now comprehended within the limits of Connecticut. They are said to have been originally an inland tribe, and to have gained possession by mere force of arms of the fine territory which they occupied at the date of their first acquaintance with the English. They were in the meridian of their glory and power about forty years previous to that period, and were then the most considerable tribe in New England, mastering as many as four thousand bowmen. Their principal settlements were now about New London and Groton; the former of which was their chief harbor, and called by their own name. The Nipmuck Indians, on their north, were still tributary to them. So also were a part of the Long Islanders, and most of the Indians on the Connecticut river. The Narraghansetts alone of the neighboring tribes had been able to oppose them with success, and against that nation they waged an implacable and almost perpetual war.