Hope Leslie, or Early Times in the Massachusetts

Forged by hardships, the temperament of the early New England settlers is serious and severe, but even among those dour people, Fletcher’s sadness stands out. He is disappointed by the heresies of the religious community, and those who use God’s word as a means to build themselves up in importance. He is offered various offices of honor but turns them all down. In 1636, he leaves Boston and retires to a frontier settlement, Springfield. Martha goes without complaint; women in New England are subordinate to their husbands in nearly all things.

The earliest settlers had followed the course of the Indians, settling along the shores of the river and erecting modest, minimal homes. Now Springfield is a hub of shops, churches, and homes, which show the unequal distribution of wealth among the citizens. Fletcher lives a mile outside of town, not concerning himself with town matters.

Months after their arrival, Fletcher walks into his home with a letter. His wife and his fourteen-year-old son, Everell, are there. He tells Everell to go to the door and await the arrival of an Indian girl. Everell, almost a man, is eager to see her. The letter, from England, states that a ship upon which Alice was a passenger has arrived. He assures Martha that this will not change anything; he is true to her, first and foremost. Alice died on the voyage, leaving her children to Fletcher’s care. Winthrop, who is now a governor, has procured two Indian servants for the family. The girl, Magawisca, the daughter of a chief, is fifteen and well educated. When she comes to the door, Everell finds her attractive, as does Fletcher. Martha is less taken with Magawisca. She welcomes her but is skeptical as to what use a native might be to a family such as theirs. Martha tells her that soon she will learn that their way of life is superior to what she has known previously.

Digby, the family servant, enters with a tall Indian. The Indian is carrying a pouch, which contains a bloody scalp. Digby says the scalp must be delivered to Boston for a reward: the reward that is due to whoever brings the scalp of the Pequod chief. Magawisca shrieks, thinking it is her father’s scalp, but Digby assures her that her father is alive. There were two chiefs; it was the other, Sassacus, who was slain. Magawisca gives him a bracelet and asks him to take it to her father. He agrees. 

Fletcher leaves for Boston and arrives nine days later. He travels with Mrs. Grafton, the aunt of his wards, and Master Craddock, a language scholar who is their tutor. Mrs. Grafton is religious, but only pays lip service to the idea. She is far more interested in fashion and food. She is particularly harsh on the apparel of the Puritans, and quickly gains followers who also dislike their plain clothes. Mrs. Grafton believes that her sister, Alice, was crazy to go to the colonies, but she is determined to care for Alice’s children, so the journey is worth it to her.

Fletcher is interested in the children, as they are all he has left of Alice. Her youngest, Mary, is pretty but bashful. The eldest, Alice, is more like her mother, unafraid and affectionate. He sends Mary back to Springfield with her aunt and Magawisca’s brother, but keeps Alice with him in Boston. Before separating them, he has them baptized, changing their names to Hope and Faith. Fletcher remains in Boston for months. In his absence, Springfield flourishes under the influence of his wife, which she communicates to him in a letter. She tells him that Mrs. Grafton is doing her job well, but is too worldly for Martha’s liking, and is ill-suited to the harsh living conditions. Everell has taught Magawisca to read, and Martha is encouraged with the respective progress of each. However, she is anxious and fears that one day Everell and Magawisca may become romantically involved. She suggests that removing her from their house might be wise. Before closing the letter, she mentions that Indians have been spotted on the outskirts of town, then adds that she would like Fletcher to consider sending Everell to England for a few years of study.

What she does not mention is that, a few days prior, an old Indian woman named Nelema visited Magawisca. She complimented Martha’s baby, but spoke wistfully of her own sons, lost to the attacks of both the settlers and other tribes. She leaves a roll on the doorstep. Inside are an arrow and a rattlesnake rattle. Magawisca says that the rattle signifies danger, and the arrow is a portent of death, but her creed forbids her to say more. Everell scolds her and says that they will act as guards for the house that night. As they keep watch, he observes Magawisca fondly and wonders at her past. Soon, he begins keeping watch with Digby instead. 

As they watch the grounds, they see the door of Magawisca’s shed open. She takes the path that leads to Nelema’s hut. Digby and Everell argue. Digby says they must follow her because she is plotting harm against them. Everell says that he trusts her and believes that if Magawisca is conspiring with someone in the night, it is for their protection. As they are speaking of the Pequod war, in which Digby fought, Magawisca reappears. Digby says that Everell must follow her while he himself scouts the area for other hostiles. Everell confronts Magawisca, who then bursts into tears, despite his protests that he trusts her.

Magawisca tells him about the night she lost her family. Betrayed by a brave named Wequash, the English were lead to their homes, where they attacked. The braves fought fiercely, but the homes were all burned. Magawisca escaped by hiding in a small rock cavity in the back of their hut. The next morning, her father returned from a hunting party. The sight of the smoldering huts and bodies changed him forever. He swore vengeance and immediately began pursuing the enemy. The English captured her brother Samoset, killing everyone in his raiding party, but taking him prisoner. When he refused to become an informant, they beheaded him. Over the coming weeks, the tribe was progressively slaughtered. Eventually, Magawisca was taken captive. Digby reappears and scolds Everell, who has not yet asked Magawisca what she was doing outside.

The day before, Nelema had told Magawisca that her father, Mononotto, had indeed been watching from the forest with an eye to attacking Bethel, the Fletcher’s home, but she did not know whether he intended merely to retrieve his children, or to kill the family first. Nelema claims to have told him that Magiwisca and her brother have been treated well, but she does not know Mononotto’s intentions. She had gone to Nelema’s hut in the night hoping to see her father. She knows that he has changed because of the atrocities he witnessed, and of his own personal loss, but she still worries about the blow that might soon fall upon her English friends at the Fletcher home.