for an honest
misconception, and these same traders have freely risked their money to
furnish us forth. We, too, had never stood on this rock to-night had not
those men thrust their hands deep into their pockets, and is it out of
reason for them to ask to see some return for their money as soon as may
be?"

"Not out of reason for traders, mayhap," replied Myles obstinately. "I
would that we had come at our own charges altogether."

"Those of us who had a little money were not enough to furnish forth
those who had none," interposed Carver gravely; "and we have none too
many hands as it is to do the work laid out for us."

"Thou 'rt right, as thou mainly art, Governor," replied Standish
good-humoredly; "and haply 't is well that my hot head is linked with
thy cool one."

"We were all ill sped, lacking thy skill and valor in war, Captain,"
replied Carver kindly, and after a moment's meditative silence he slowly
added,--

"It ill befits finite man to intrude upon the Councils of infinite
wisdom, and yet it seemeth borne strangely in upon my mind that God hath
carefully chosen His weapons for the mighty conquest He hath set Himself
to make in this wilderness, and, if I may say it without grieving your
modesty, brethren, I seem to see in you, standing with me here, three
chosen leaders.

"A man of war, trained from childhood in martial tactics, and in the use
of weapons, and of a singular courage and determination, you, Standish,
are the strong right arm of the body corporate.

"And you, Winslow, bred among courtiers and statesmen, subtle of
intellect, ready of speech, cool of temper, and sound in judgment, in
you I see our ambassador, our spokesman, our counselor and adviser, our
Chrysostom of the golden mouth."

"And Bradford," jealously demanded Standish laying a hand upon the arm
of the future governor, for whom he ever entertained a mighty affection.

Carver turned and looked full into Bradford's steadfast eyes upraised to
his, and his own gaze became rapt and well-nigh prophetic. When he spoke
again it was in a lower and less spontaneous voice.

"The arm strikes, the tongue parleys, but both must be in accord with
the brain, or all is lost. The father of his people must think for all,
plan for all, encourage, restrain, cherish, discipline all. Standish for
the camp, Winslow for the council, but for you, Bradford, the sleepless
vigil, the constant watch, the self-forgetting energy, whose fruits are
safety,