Indian raiders destroyed the one partially completed powder mill in New England. Gunpowder grew scarce.
Offensive spirit ebbed away. Massachusetts leaders dusted off a proposal to build a twelve mile long, eight foot high stockade to keep Indians out of the core of the colony. The stockade would have left Groton, Lancaster, Concord, Sudbury and Marlborough, among other towns, to the Indians.
Benjamin worked to get a message across the frontier. He knew Indians well—knew which Praying Indians had contacts with hostile leaders. A week later, he gathered his little band around him outside the frontier town of Framingham.
One of the men looked at the Mohegan standing impassively nearby and said, "Why put yourself in Uncas's trap? Yes, you may find the demon, but only to be killed by it."
Benjamin knew that was all too likely. But the Mohegans hate the Narragansetts more than they hate us, and if we lose, they would face the Narragansetts alone. And Uncas sent one of his remaining sons. It's worth the risk. Out loud he said, "I will go. I will meet Uncas. If I find the demon, I will try to kill it. If I live, I will be back."
He nodded to the Mohegan and followed him into the forest, almost as silently as the Indian. They walked for an hour, then the Mohegan led him to carefully hidden horses. They rode the rest of the day. Benjamin watched the Mohegan dismount awkwardly. The Puritans tried to keep Indians from getting horses before the war, but some of them somehow learned to ride. Now many had horses, but most rode and cared for them poorly.
For a poor rider, the Mohegan had a great deal of endurance. He rode silently until the horse was exhausted, then rested only as long as he had to before continuing. They crossed into Connecticut, into Mohegan country, and finally stopped near a small Indian camp on the eastern edge of Mohegan country, near the Narragansetts.
The Mohegan said nothing to Benjamin during the ride. Maybe this really is a trap. Maybe Ruth has what she wants of me and sends me to my death.
He dismounted and followed his guide to the camp. He recognized Uncas and nine other prominent Mohegans—not just warriors waiting to kill him.
Uncas stood and looked at Benjamin. "You look for the demon. It would be good if you find him.”
***
Hanno scouted the meeting site carefully. He saw tracks of more than a hundred Indians, but they were more than three days old, from before the last rain. He found the trail of Uncas and his party, ten Indians and a colonist. Uncas seemed to be keeping his word. I don't trust him, but have little to fear from ten Indians.
Hanno prowled around the meeting site once more. Nothing. Yet my deep mind screams a warning. Why?
Finally, he stalked into a clearing where ten Indians and Benjamin Church stood. The danger time was now. Further away his bow outranged them. Closer and he could be among them before they raised their muskets. The Indians made no sudden moves. Uncas gestured, and Benjamin limped forward, his arms tied behind him. The colonist climbed onto a stump in front of Hanno. Hanno said, "Turn around." He checked the ropes. Tight and secure. Why does my deep mind still scream warnings? Hanno made Benjamin face him, then glanced back at the Indians. Muskets were still on the ground. No threat there.