“Bound in the skin of the great sachem snake, My brother sent his barbs--but to his foe, Awanux took the challenge by mistake, And let his bullets for an answer go; They deemed the Sachem angry, and did take Some wise precaution ’gainst a secret blow; They raise their bulwarks, and their guns they poise; This was respect to sovereign brave and wise. LIV. “No leagues have they with the fierce Maqua made, Nor with the Pequot hostile is the race; But if my brothers, for the fight arrayed, O’er Pokanoket’s borders speed their pace, I dare not say they would forego the aid Of any tribe that would thy battle face; Mohegans, Pequots, Tarrateens would fly To join their force, and swell their battle cry. LV. “To these six fragments of the pipe I’ve spoke; Take them again, if I have answered well; But those which tell me that the stem was broke By the fire-water, and of what befel Thee upon Haup--of claims thou canst not brook, Made by those strangers from the nations pale To these broad forests as their own domain-- These will I ask Awanux to explain. LVI. “This fragment tells me that his numbers grow, That they are spreading fast, from glade to glade; If the Great Spirit does increase bestow, Will the wise Sachem that great Power upbraid? The lands they take, well does my brother know, They fairly purchase of the nations red; E’en thus would I on Seekonk’s marge abide, If peaceful nations dwelt on either side. LVII. “On Seekonk’s bank, betwixt my brothers white And the red nations I might friendly stand, And help them still to understand aright Whate’er was doubtful from each other’s hand; The chain of friendship hold, and keep it bright, And strengthen thus all Narraganset’s band; Till ’gainst our common foes we all unite, And conquer safety through resistless might. LVIII. “This question seeks the Sachem’s plain reply: Takes he the pipe--lays he the axe aside? Have I his peace, or does he peace deny, Nor in my honest counsels aught confide? Still chooses he the doubtful strife to try, And brave the Yengees with his foes allied? Say--can he listen to an exiled man, Whose words and deeds might still befriend his clan?” LIX. “Brother,” the Sachem said in milder tone, “Six fragments of the pipe, as well explained, My willing hand receives--I ponder on The last in doubt--the three, thou hast retained, Send to Awanux--may he answer soon, And show our blindness has of them complained; Thy heart seems open, and its speech is brave; Queries of weight demand an answer grave. LX.