Putnam patriot., 1921-03-25


 English and his new rival, Uncas. The English succeeded in getting both Un- cas and Miantonomo to promise not to go to war with each other and to sub nit all their qusrrels to the white men for settlement Both chiefs finally agreed to live in peace with the Eng fish. Uncas kept his promise. We must not think that he lived the kind of life that the English approved, for he was an Indian and, therefore. lived the life of savage. He did not treat his Pequot subjects kindly He was jealous of other indians who were friendly to the white men and he could not learn that # was wrong to shed blood. He did many things for which the English called him to account, yet he always explained his conduct 50 cleyerly and begged for pardon SO elo- quently and touchingly that the Eng fish were mild and patient in their re- proof of his faults
 Once when he had been called to ! Boston to answer for some ofense i that he had committed. he placed his hand dramatically upon his heart and addressed the governor as follows:
 This heart is not mine; it is yours. ] I have no men; they are all yours. Command me any hard thing and will do it. l will never believe any In- dian's word against the English If any Indian shall kill an Englishman, will put him to death, be he ever so dear to me.
 Whenever he saw the English in danger he sent them warning and gave them his help. Tn turn he came to them for their help when he was in danger
 Miantonomo oa the other hand broke his premise to be friendly with the white men. He formed a conspir- scy to destroy the English in Connecti- cut and Massachusetts Uncas warn ed the English and Miantonomo was summoned to Boston to explain his conduct He was allowed to go un- punished because he had done no ac- tual harm to the English. They never trusted him again, however
 He now determined to get rid of Uneas. First he hired an Indian to shoot him with an arrow. This Indian wounded him but did not kill him. An other thrust a sword into Uncas' breast. Following this some relatives of Miantonomo fired shower of ar rows al Uncas as he was padding in his canoe. Miantonomo next marched against Uncas with an army of one thousand warriors. Hurriedly collect ing four or five hundred men, Uneas prepared for battle. The two tribes met on plain near Norwich. When they were bow-shot apart Uncas ad- yaneed some distance in front of his men and requested barley with his enemy His request was granted and the two chief faced each other while their warriors stood awaiting the re- suit
 Uncas spoke first He said. You have a number of brave warriors with you and so have I with me It is a pity that our warriors should be killed in q private quarrel between their chiefs. Step forward, like a brave man, as you profess to be, and let us fight the battle ourselves. If I fall. the Mohegans shall serve you. but if Uneas kills Miantonomo. the Nara gansetts shell be mine"
 The Narragansett chief hotly re- piled. My men came here to fight and i fight they shall"
 Uncas fell fiat upon the ground. This was the signal for the battle. His warriors sprang forward. discharged their arrows, and rushed upon the Narragansetts so suddenly and so fu- riously that though they were twice the number of the Mohegans they fled in terror. Miantonomo wore coat of mail which so impeded his running that two swift-footed Mohegans soon overlook him. Not wishing to de- prive their chief of the glory of mak- ing the capture himself, they delayed Miantonomo until Uncas arrived. When Uncas placed his hand upon Miantonemo's shoulder the conquered Saehem offered no resistance, but quietly and hopelessly seated himself upon the ground and looked up in his eaptors face without uttering a word
 "Why don't you speak" said Un- eas. Had you taken me l should have besought you for my life"
 Still the proud chief made no an- swer.
 Uncas took his captive to Hartford and asked the English what should be done with him The magistrates put him in jail and referred his case to the commissioners who represented the United Colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The commissioners met at Boston and referred the case to q council of clergymen Nobody wished to decide for CT against the Narra- fansett chief for, no matter which way they decided, some of the Indians. either his friends or enemies, would be angry and revengeful. The clergy men did not shirk their duty, and de- eided that Uncas might justly put such a false and blood-thirsty enemy to death
 From Hartford a procession march