Chapter I: Front Matter

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THE BELT OF SEVEN TOTEMS

Ninth Impression

* * * * * *

_BOOKS BOYS LIKE_

_PIRATES OF THE DELAWARE_
By RUPERT SARGENT HOLLAND
A stirring tale of Philadelphia a hundred years ago when highwaymen
rode out of the shadows on the way to the Green Anchor Inn and
mysterious craft lay in hiding off the Delaware Capes. Attractively
illustrated.

_HERO TALES OF OUR NAVY_
By GEORGE GIBBS
Famous sea victories from the time the first little American-built
frigate sailed out against a British man-o'-war to the days when
the Allied fleet patrolled the North Sea. 14 Illustrations by the
author.

_DO IT YOURSELF_
By DAN BEARD
A book of the big outdoors. How to pitch a tent, how to fish, build
a canoe, take a collection hike, catch wild animals and many other
things a scout must know. Latest volume in Dan Beard's Woodcraft
Series. 306 Inimitable sketches by the author.

_AMERICAN TRAIL BLAZERS_
A splendid collection of stories, based on historical facts,
which has done much to revive the early and adventurous phases of
American history for boys. The story grips and the history sticks.
Each volume finely illustrated in color and black and white.

* * * * * *

THE BELT OF SEVEN TOTEMS

A Story of Massasoit

by

KIRK MUNROE

Author of "Under the Great Bear," "Brethren of the Coast," "Rick Dale," "Forward March," "The 'Mates'' Series," etc.

Illustrated by Emlen Mcconnell

Philadelphia & London J. B. Lippincott Company

Copyright, 1901, by Kirk Munroe

Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company at the Washington Square Press Philadelphia, U. S. A.

_TO MY READERS_

The following story is not intended as a history; it is merely an effort to reconcile certain apparently conflicting facts and to explain an otherwise inexplicable situation. At the time of the Pilgrim Fathers all American Indians--not excepting those of New England--had suffered repeated outrage at the hands of white men, and in no case had they been given cause to love the invaders of their country or to welcome their presence. Why, then, did the powerful Massasoit permit a white invasion of his territory that he could so easily have crushed? A friendship existed from the very first between him and Edward Winslow, and the latter seems to have exercised a great influence over the New England sachem. What was the origin of this friendship? The Narragansetts, while submitting to Massasoit's authority, were always in sullen opposition to it. Why? It is to answer these questions to my own satisfaction that I have constructed the theory herewith advanced.

Many New England natives were kidnapped and taken to various parts of Europe. Why might not Massasoit have been among them? The wampum belt, on which was pictured the distinguishing totems of seven leading New England clans, was worn by both Massasoit and Metacomet (King Philip), his son, and is still in existence. Tasquanto (Squanto) was kidnapped from Cape Cod and taken to England, where he remained for several years. Captain Dermer carried a number of native Americans to London, where he sold them to be exhibited as curiosities. He finally died of wounds received at the hands of New England Indians. Champlain did aid a war-party of Hurons to defeat the Iroquois in one instance, and in another was defeated by the same foe. Thus, while my story is admittedly fictional, it has a substantial historical basis.

KIRK MUNROE.

_CONTENTS_

CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE VILLAGE OF PEACE 9

II. CANONICUS MAKES TROUBLE 18

III. AT THE CROSSING OF THE SHA 28

IV. THE BELT CHANGES HANDS 38

V. WHAT THE DAUGHTERS OF KAWERAS FOUND 50

VI. IN THE LODGE OF THE ARROW-MAKER 60

VII. NAHMA JOINS A WAR-PARTY 70

VIII. TWO YOUNG SCOUTS 81

IX. ON THE LAKE 91

X. AN OKI OF THE WATERS 101

XI. THE COMING OF SACANDAGA 111

XII. A MEETING OF DEADLY FOES 121

XIII. TO THE LODGES OF THE WHITE MAN 131

XIV. TWO INMATES OF A GUARD-HOUSE 141

XV. THE BITTER WINTER OF CANADA 151

XVI. A DASH FOR LIBERTY 162

XVII. A DEATH-DEALING THUNDER-STICK 172

XVIII. KIDNAPPED 183

XIX. SOLD AS A SLAVE 194

XX. ONE FRIENDLY FACE 206

XXI. A CHANGE OF MASTERS 217

XXII. NAHMA AND THE BEAR RUN AW 228

XXIII. AN HONORED GUEST 238

XXIV. NAHMA REMEMBERS 248

XXV. BACK TO AMERICA 259

XXVI. SASSACUS THE PEQUOT 270

XXVII. A ROYAL HOME-COMING 281

XXVIII. IN THE COUNCIL-LODGE 292

XXIX. WINNING A BATTLE, A WIFE, AND A FRIEND 303

XXX. THE PILGRIMS OF PLYMOUTH 314

_LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS_

PAGE HE WAS SEIZED BY TWO PAIR OF BRAWNY HANDS AND DRAGGED INBOARD _Frontispiece._

AS SHE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF THE WOUNDED YOUTH THE PROGRESS OF THE CANOE WAS INSTANTLY ARRESTED 56

NAHMA SPRANG UPON THE WHITE MAN WITH UPLIFTED KNIFE 129

"LOOK, THEN, AND TREMBLE, THOU DOG OF A MURDERER" 290

_THE BELT OF SEVEN TOTEMS_