ing broke clear and lovely, and with the sun rose a
southwest wind, best of all winds for those who would extricate
themselves from the somewhat tyrannous triple embrace of Plymouth Beach,
The Gurnet, and Manomet. Directly after breakfast the Pilgrims' pinnace
went out manned by half the men of the colony, some carrying a last
letter, some a little additional package of furs or curiosities for
those at home, some only to say good-by and take a last look at the
dingy quarters that had been their home for so many months. Captain
Jones, hearty and hospitable in these last hours, had provided what he
called a snack, and both beer and strong waters were freely set out upon
the cabin table, nor did even the Elder refuse to do him right in a
parting glass of Nantz.

"Had I known you for such good fellows when first we joined company
there had never been ill-will between us," said the master of the
Mayflower. "But at least we will drown it now."

"It is drowned deep as Pharaoh's host in the Red Sea," responded Myles
heartily, and the elder cried Amen.

An hour or so later, as the pinnace slowly beat back to her moorings, a
group of women followed by some stragglers of the other sex climbed the
hill and seated themselves about the Fort to watch the departure of the
Mayflower. Priscilla and Mary Chilton as usual were close together, and
Desire Minter seated herself beside them saying wearily,--

"Would I were a man!"

"Thou a man my Desiree!" exclaimed Priscilla turning upon her eyes
sparkling with fun, although a suspicious red lingered around the lids.
"Wouldst woo me for thy wife?"

"Thou 'rt ever looking for every man to woo thee, but I'd have thee know
there's one man, and his house not so far away, that's as near wooing me
as thee."

"Oh cruel, cruel Desiree to wound my fond hopes so savagely," began
Priscilla; but Mary ever more practical than humorous interrupted
her,--

"Why dost want to be a man, Desire?"

"Because we women were not asked would we accept Master Jones's
hospitality and go home, and so I had no chance to say 'Ay and thank y'
sir?'"

"Would you have so said Desiree?" asked Priscilla serious in a minute.

"Why sure I would," replied the girl pettishly. "Why should any of us
want to stay? There's plenty of hard work and plenty of prayers I grant
you, and when you have said that you've said all. No decent housen, no
butcher's meat, or milk, or garden stuff, or so much as a huckster's
shop where