replied Jones with a hideous grimace
intended for a conciliatory smile; "we have ever been good friends, have
we not, and you all wish me well, as I do all of you. Certes, none of
you would try to bring evil upon our heads, lest it fall upon your own
instead, for still those who wish ill to others fall upon ill luck
themselves. Is it not so, Elder?"

"Art speaking of Christian doctrine, or of heathen superstition, Master
Jones?" inquired the Elder fixing his mild, yet penetrating eyes upon
the seaman, who slunk beneath their gaze.

"Nay, then!" blustered he rising to his feet, "I came hither when I
would fain have stayed in my own cabin aboard, and I came not to chop
logic nor to be put to the question like a malefactor, but to bring help
to my sick neighbors, who, to be sure, cried out for it lustily enough
before they got it, but now pick and question at my good meat and drink
as if 't were like to poison them. Well, that's an end on 't, and you
can take it or leave it, as you will. Good e'en to you."

"Nay, nay, Master Jones," interposed Carver hastily, as the angry man
made toward the door. "Let us not part thus, especially in view of thy
great kindness toward us, for which, in good sooth, we are more
grateful than we have yet expressed. Let pass the over curious queries
we have ventured, and sit up at the table for a little meat and drink,
such as it may be. Here is some broiled fish, and here some clams"--

"I care not for eating, having finished mine own supper but now,"
grumbled Jones sinking back into Carver's arm-chair; "still if you'll
broach yon runlet of beer I'll taste a mug on 't, for my throat is as
dry as a chimbley."

"The beer is for our sick folk who crave it as they gather their
strength," said Carver pleasantly; "but we have here a case of strong
waters of our own, if that will serve thy turn."

"Why, ay, 't will serve my turn better than t' other," replied Jones
drawing his hairy hand across his mouth with an agreeable smile, as he
added,--

"I did but ask for the beer, thinking you who are well needed the
spirits for yourselves."

"We can spare what we need for ourselves more lightly than what we need
for others," said Carver in that grand simplicity of nature which fails
to perceive the magnificence of its own impulses. And from a shelf above
his head the governor took a square bottle of spirits, while Howland
poured water from a kettle over the fire into a pewter flagon, and
produced