mine."

And so it came about that the idea of love between Priscilla and
Standish was planted in four active minds, and in time bore strange and
bitter fruit.

And so the gloomy days crept on, and the sufferers and the mourners of
the village which lay half-built beneath the hill passed on to take up
their dwelling in the village upon the bluff, where, silent pilgrims,
they lay, row upon row, hands meekly folded, lips close set, and eyes
forever shut, but yet attaining all that they sought in this their
pilgrimage, freedom from tyranny even of time and circumstance, freedom
to worship God in spirit and in truth.

When a conqueror or a tyrant decimates his captives or his subjects, the
world cries out in horror of such disregard of life, but in this
instance God spared one half His people from the sorrows and the
hardships they had come forth to seek, and gave them at once the reward,
for which their brethren still must toil. Of the hundred and one men,
women, and children, who followed Gideon to the battle, but fifty were
chosen to achieve the final conquest.

Among those who survived for a little time was John Goodman, who, after
lying for weeks at death's door, came slowly back for a while, and in
the early spring crept out in the sunshine with the faithful Pike at
his heels. Trying his strength from day to day, he at last hobbled down
to the brook and across, but was no sooner beyond hail of the village
than two great gray wolves, stealing from a thicket, sprang upon the
dog, who, not so venturesome as Nero, ran to take refuge between her
master's still tender feet, causing them not a little pain.

"Fool! Again without a weapon!" exclaimed John apostrophizing himself,
and picking up a good-sized stone he threw it, with a shout, at the
foremost wolf, who retreated snarling to the bushes. Stumbling back
toward the village as fast as he could, Goodman came presently to a pile
of stout palings cut for fencing, and arming himself with one cast an
anxious look behind. It was time, for the wolves, recovering courage as
he retreated, were in full pursuit, with glaring eyes and lolling
tongues.

Ordering Pike to crouch behind him, the young fellow stood at bay,
hooting, shouting, and waving his stave in a semicircle, within whose
sweep the creatures were not anxious to intrude. Weary at length of
trying to surprise the fortress by a flank movement, yet reluctant to
abandon the hope of seizing Pike, the wolves finally