uietly said,--

"Priscilla, I was indeed thy father's friend, and I am thine, and I fain
would have wed thee, and thou didst refuse, preferring John Alden, who
also is my friend, even as my younger brother, whose honor and well
being are dear to me as mine own. What then is the meaning of thy grief,
and what is thy request?"

"My grief is that since the day I gave John Alden my promise, you, sir,
have been no more my friend, but ever looked upon me with coldness and
disdain; and now that you go, it may be to your death, it breaketh my
heart to have it so, and I fain would beg your forgiveness for aught I
have done to offend you, though I know not what it may be."

"Know not--well, well, let it pass--'t is but one more traverse. Yes
child, I forgive thee for what to me seemed like something of scorn and
slight, something of double dealing and treachery--nay, we'll say no
more on 't. Here is my hand, Priscilla--and surely thy father's friend
may for once taste thy cheek. Now child, we're friends and dear friends,
and if yon savage sheathes his knife in my heart perhaps thou 'lt shed
a tear or two, and say a prayer for the soul of--thy father's friend.
And now thy petition, for time presses."

"That thou wilt take John Alden with thee."

"What then! Who shall read a woman's will aright! I left him at home for
thy sake, Priscilla."

"So I guessed and I thank you--nay, I thank you not for so misjudging
me." And the fire in the hazel eyes upraised to his, dried the tears
sharply.

"Why, what now! Dost want thy troth-plight lover slain?"

"No in truth, nor do I want my troth-plight friend, for thou art that
now, slain; but neither do I want the one nor the other to lurk safely
at home when his brothers are at the war. There's no coward's blood in
my heart more than in yours, Captain Standish, and I care not to shelter
any man behind my petticoats. I have not wed John Alden all this long
year and more, because I would not wed with your frown black upon my
heart, and I will not wed him now until he hath showed himself a man
upon that same field whence you do not greatly care to come alive."

"Nay, Priscilla, I care more now for life than I did an hour since, for
I have a friend."

"And you will take John, and if he comes home alive you'll smile upon
our marriage?"

"Yes girl, yes to both. God bless you, Priscilla, for a brave and true
woman. And now--good-night."

A moment later as the dark clad figure flitted dow