ers vowed that no such intensity of blue had ever been seen in
human orbs before. But neither in the shape, nor the color, nor the
brilliancy, nor the pathetic curve of the upper lid, did the wonderful
beauty of these eyes abide; it was a fascination, a compelling power in
their regard; the power of appeal or of assurance, of love or wrath, of
promise or of trust, that dwelt in their depths, and leaped or stole
thence bending to their service the will of all who gazed steadfastly
upon them. Weapons more dangerous in a woman's hands than was Gideon the
Sword, in the hands of the Captain of Plymouth.

As their owner lightly leaping from the gunwale of the boat alighted
upon the Rock, these eyes sought and rested merrily upon Myles'
wonder-stricken face, while a joyous smile illuminated the features and
showed bright and pretty teeth.

"Barbara!" exclaimed the captain, leaping down from the hillock where he
had so unsympathetically posted himself to observe the landing.

"Yes, Barbara," returned a blithe voice. "Come all this way to look
after her cousin, who cared not to come so far as the ship to greet
her."

"But how was I to know thou wert coming, lass? Ever and always at thine
old trick of laying me in some blunder! Well, thou 'rt welcome, Bab,
welcome as flowers in May." And seizing the round face between his two
hands Myles pressed a hearty salute upon either cheek.

"And Captain," broke in Bradford's well pleased voice, "let me bring you
to the notice of Mistress Southworth, in whose matronly company your
cousin has journeyed."

A fair and gentle English face, albeit not without a quiet
determination in its lines, was turned upon the soldier as Alice
Southworth held out her hand saying,--

"And greatly beholden am I to Mistress Standish for her companionship. I
know not quite how we could have borne some of our discomfiture had not
she cheered and upheld us as she did."

"Ay, 't is a way the wench hath of old," replied the captain gayly. "I
mind me of a home across the seas where one declared that naught but
Barbara's care kept her in life at all. But in good sooth, girl, why
didst not warn me of thy coming?"

"I would fain take thee by surprise, cousin, and methinks I have."

"A total, an utter surprise."

"We had fared but ill here in the colony had yon sachem surprised thee
as effectually, Myles," laughed the governor as the little party climbed
The Street, a long procession of jocund men, women, an