odman Pepperell was carrying for the
Captain flew in every direction. Those who kept their feet at all
reeled and staggered in a strange, wild dance, and every child in the
group screamed with all his might. The women screamed, too, calling
frantically to the children, and the men came pouring out of the door
of the Common House, trying to steady themselves as they were flung
first one way, then another by the heaving ground. It lasted but a few
dreadful moments, and the Captain was the first to recover his speech.

"There, now," said he, a little breathlessly, "ain't it lucky I had my
sea legs on! 'T wa'n't anything but an earthquake, anyway."

The instant they could stay on their feet, the children ran to their
mothers, who were also running to them, and in less time than it takes
to tell it the whole village was gathered before the Common House. As
Daniel, with the Captain and his father, joined the stricken company,
Governor Bradford was speaking. He had been Governor of the Colony for
so long that in time of sudden stress the people still turned to him
for counsel though Mr. Prence was really the Governor.

"Think ye not that the finger of the Lord would direct us by this
visitation?" he said to the white-faced group. "We were met together
in council because some of our number wish to go away from Plymouth to
find broader pastures for their cattle, even as Jacob separated from
Esau with all his flocks and herds. In this I see a sign of God's
displeasure at our removals one from another."

John Howland now found his voice. "Nay, but," he said, "shall we limit
the bounty of the Lord and say, 'Only here shall He prosper us'?"

"What say the Scriptures to him who was not content with abundance,
but must tear down his barns to build bigger?" answered the Governor.
"'This night thy soul shall be required of thee.'"

There was no reply, and the pale faces grew a shade paler as a second
rumble was heard in the distance, the earth again began to tremble,
and a mighty wave, rolling in from the sea, crashed against the shore.
Above the noise of the waters rose the voice of Governor Bradford. "He
looketh upon the earth and it trembleth. He toucheth the hills and
they smoke. The Lord is merciful and gracious. He will not always
chide, neither will He keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with
us after our sins."

Seeing how frightened the people were, the Captain broke the silence
which fell upon the trembling group