Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
a prison.” Governor Winthrop only replied by signing to the guards to proceed to
their duty.
“Stay one moment,” exclaimed Everell; “permit her, I beseech you, to remain
here; place her in any one of your apartments, and I will remain before it, a faithful
warder, night and day. But do not—do not, I beseech you—sully your honour by
committing this noble creature to your jail.”
“Listen to my son, I entreat you,” said the elder Fletcher, unable any longer to
restrain his own feelings;” certainly we owe much to this woman.”
“You owe much, undoubtedly,” replied the governor; “but it yet remains to be
proved, my friend, that your son’s redeemed life is to be put in the balance against
the public weal.”
Esther, who had observed the scene with an intense interest, now overcame
her timidity so far as to penetrate the circle that surrounded the governor, and
to attempt to enforce Everell’s prayer. “May not Magawisca,” she said, “share our
apartment—Hope’s and mine? She will then, in safe custody, await your farther
pleasure.”
“Thanks, Esther—thanks,” cried Everell, with an animation that would have
rewarded a far more dicult eort: but all eorts were unavailing, but not useless;
for Magawisca said to Everell, “You have sent light into my darkened soul—you
have truth and gratitude; and for the rest, they are but what I deemed them; Send
me,” she continued, proudly turning to the governor, “to your dungeon; all places
are alike to me while I am your prisoner; but, for the sake of Everell Fletcher, let me
tell you, that she who is dearer to him than his own soul, if, indeed, she has lived
out the perils of this night, must answer for my safe keeping.”
“Hope Leslie!” exclaimed Everell; “what has happened? What do you mean,
Magawisca?”
“She was the decoy bird,” replied Magawisca, calmly; “and she, too, is caught
in the net.”
“Explain, I beseech you!” The governor answered Everell’s appeal by a brief
explanation. A bustle ensued: every other feeling was now lost in concern for Hope
Leslie; and Magawisca was separated from her weeping and frightened companion,
and conducted away without farther opposition; while the two Fletchers, as if life
and death hung on every instant, were calling on the governor to aid them in the
way and means of pursuit.
4.5.2 Reading and Review Questions
1. How does Digby’s view of Native Americans in general, and of Mascawisca
in particular, frame the reader’s understanding of Mascawisca’s character?
2. How does the theme of treachery and betrayal work in this chapter? Who
are the guilty? Who are the innocent? Why do you think Mascawisca
doesn’t tell Everell about her father’s intentions?
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