had not gone far, when a childish
voice shouted, "There 's Captain Sanders," and immediately every child
within hearing came tumbling down the hill till they swarmed about him
like flies about a honey-pot.

[Illustration]

"Pirates!" cried the Captain, holding up his hands in mock terror.
"I surrender. Come aboard and seize the cargo!" He held open the
capacious pocket which hung from his belt, and immediately half a
dozen small hands plunged into it and came out laden with raisins.

"Here, now, divide fairly," shouted the Captain. "No pigs!" and with
children clinging to his hands and coat-tails he made a slow progress
up the hill, Daniel and his father following closely in his wake.

As they were nearing the Common House, two more children caught sight
of him and came racing to meet him. The Captain dived into his
pocket for more raisins and found it empty, but he was equal to the
emergency. "Here, you, Mercy and Joseph Bradford," he cried, "I 've
brought you something I have n't brought to any one else. I 've
brought you a new cousin." The other children had been so absorbed in
their old friend they had scarcely noticed the strangers hitherto, but
now they turned to gaze curiously at Daniel and his father. Joseph and
Mercy were both a little younger than Daniel, and all three were shy,
but no one could stay shy long when the Captain was about, and soon
they were walking along together in the friendliest manner.

"Where 's thy father, young man?" said the Captain, speaking to
Joseph. "I have a letter for him, and I have brought a relation for
him too."

"I wish you would bring me a cousin," said one little girl enviously.

"Well, now," roared the Captain, "think of that! I have a few
relations of my own left over that I 'd be proper glad to parcel out
amongst ye if I 'd only known ye was short, but I have n't got 'em
with me."

"Father 's in there," said Joseph, pointing to the Common House. "They
're having a meeting. Elder Brewster 's there, too, and Mr. Winslow
and Captain Standish and Governor Prence." It was evident that some
matter of importance was being discussed, for a little knot of women
had gathered before the door as if waiting for some decision to be
announced.

They had almost reached the group, when suddenly from the north there
came a low roaring noise, and the earth beneath their feet shook and
trembled so violently that many of the children were thrown to the
ground, while the bundles Go