[Illustration: DEATH OF KING PHILIP.] Because he did not do so at once, an armed force was sent in July, 1662, to bring him to Plymouth. He was arrested with a number of his armed followers, and being ill, asked leave to visit his home. He was allowed to do so, and died on the way. One of our leading historians says the suspicions of the English had no real cause, and their course toward Alexander was unjust to the last degree. He may have been innocent, or he may have been guilty. Be that as it may, the death of Alexander, on the threshold of his reign, was bad from every aspect. Philip declared that his brother had been poisoned at the hands of the English. Many of his people believed the charge, and it was whispered by more than one white man. Possibly it was true, though we cannot think so. The result of the elder brother's death was to bring Philip to the "throne" of the Wampanoags. He ranks as one of the greatest Indians in history. He was wise, eloquent, far-seeing, brave, resourceful, chivalrous at times, merciless at others, and a leader of remarkable ability. Resentful as he felt towards the English, he saw the madness of a war against them, by his tribe alone, though they welcomed him with ardor to the chieftaincy. Following the example of his father and brother, he went before the court at Plymouth, and renewed the league that had lasted for so many years. It was a long time before a ripple of trouble came between Philip and the whites. The latter kept stealing the ground in his neighborhood, until the day came when he could not reach his home at Mount Hope from any direction without crossing the property claimed by some colonist. He was angered, and complained to the authorities. He was answered by the charge that he was secretly training his men for war. Instead of going to court, the chief invited the officers to meet him for a talk. They did so at Taunton. Philip denied that he had any thoughts of harm to the whites, but said his warriors were preparing for defence against the Narragansetts. The whites kept to their charge, and he finally owned that there was truth in what they said. He was quite meek, and signed a pledge of friendship, and promised to turn over the arms of his warriors to the authorities. This conference was held in the month of April, 1671. Beyond all doubt, Philip's submission was only a pretence in order to gain time. He had been accused of such designs again and again, until, as he said to one of his friends, he could not make the English believe he was their friend, and he might as well become their enemy. There must have been warrant on the part of the whites for doubting his truth, for after-events proved that he was plotting not only at that time, but had been laying his far-reaching plans for months.