that we may parley with these pirates from the vantage
ground of our own deck," ordered the captain, and was obeyed so fairly
that the Little James presently lay hove-to within a biscuit-toss of the
staging, where some fifteen or twenty men were diligently employed in
curing a take of fish.

A short sharp colloquy ensued, Standish claiming the erection and its
precincts as the property of Plymouth, and ordering the interlopers to
at once release it, and to carry away their fish and their utensils,
leaving room for the lawful owners' occupancy.

To this demand Hewes impudently replied that when he had done with the
fish-flakes he cared not who used them, and that he would abandon the
place when it suited his own convenience, and not before.

"Well and good; then we shall come and take it," shouted the captain in
conclusion, and turning his attention in-board, he rapidly divided his
men and Bridges' into two storming parties, while a watch left on board
was to take charge of the light falcon mounted on deck, and at a signal
from shore to begin the dance by firing upon the staging which Hewes was
already barricading with a row of barrels, behind which he rapidly
posted his men, musket in hand, and matches alight.

"Now by St. Lawrence!" cried Standish, watching these preparations. "But
the fellow hath a pretty notion of a barricado! I could not have done so
very much better in his place. 'T is fairer fortune than we could look
for, to meet so ready a fellow, and you shall see some pretty sport
anon, Master Bridges."

But at this moment a little group of men hastening from the fishing huts
marking the present site of Gloucester, appeared upon the scene, and in
their leader both Standish and Bridges recognized Roger Conant, a friend
and sometime visitor of Plymouth, who immediately upon arrival of the
Anne had gone to join some friends fishing at Monhegan, and now, with
them, was establishing a sister station at Gloucester. Warned by the
Indians that Hewes had seized the Plymouth fishing-stage, and seeing the
Little James entering the bay, Conant hastened to collect his friends
and present himself upon the scene of action to act as mediator, or ally
of Plymouth, as circumstances might direct.

"We have come none too soon, men!" exclaimed Conant breathlessly as at a
run he rounded the headland closing in the cove, and saw upon the
barricaded staging Hewes and his men blowing at their matches, while
Standish, his eyes af