laying her course apparently for
Plymouth. Not knowing whether this might be good or bad news, the sachem
had felt it a friendly act to convey it to his new allies with the
greatest possible dispatch.

"And he did well, and both he and thou shall see that we are not
ungrateful," replied Bradford courteously. "Tisquantum, take this man
to the Common house, and see that he is suitably refreshed. And now,
brethren, what meaneth this? Is it indeed good news or bad?"

"Bad," replied Standish promptly. "For well do we know that no relief
was to be sent us until our friends the traders had seen the first
fruits of their Adventure, and as we perforce sent home the Mayflower
empty, I for one expect to hear no more from Cheapside unless it be a
rating."

"There hath not been time for the Mayflower to go and return, were our
friends never so willing to aid us," suggested the elder pacifically.

"Then what think you, men?" persisted Bradford. "Allerton, Winslow,
Warren, what say ye all?"

"We know that the French are at war with England," suggested Winslow.
"And this may be a privateer coming to harry the settlement."

"In that case it were well to hide whatever we have of value and retreat
to the woods with the women and children," said Allerton turning pale.

"And leave our housen, and the Fort and its armament, and our boats!"
exclaimed Standish contemptuously. "Nay, Governor, my counsel is that we
at once arm ourselves, train what guns we can upon the offing, and if
these indeed be buccaneers, French, Spanish, or Turks, receive them with
a volley that shall leave little work for a second one. The women and
children may retreat to the woods, and he who has any pots, or cups, or
pans of value may bury them an' he chooses. My best treasures are Gideon
and my snaphance, and I cannot spare them so long as I live to wield
them."

"That's the chat that suits me, neighbor," declared Hopkins in his
usual rough, hearty fashion, while Allerton, an unwonted tinge of color
upon his sallow cheek, hastened to avow himself as ready for fighting as
any man since fighting was decided to be the best policy.

And now Standish assumed control of the occasion and showed himself in
his most becoming attitude. His quick eyes and ready hands were
everywhere, and the somewhat sharp and terse military orders that
sometimes had seemed a thought arbitrary now carried assurance in their
tone, and strengthened the hearts of some and supported the