ouching in their depths that here were
encamped a little band of invaders stronger than the primeval forest,
stronger than the primeval man, stronger than Nature, stronger than
Tradition.

"Then it is well resolved," said Carver rising at last and coming toward
the fire, "that to-morrow, so soon as we have committed ourselves to
God's protection, and broken our fast, we will assemble with all the men
of our company in the Common house, and take counsel for the safety and
guidance of the colony. Does this movement suit you, Captain Standish?"

"Ay, Governor. A council of war is ever fitting prelude to action,"
replied Standish laying down his bullet-mould and standing up.

"And this is a council _coram populo_," said Winslow smiling. "A
congress of the whole people."

"Our first town-meeting, if indeed we be a town," said Bradford,
answering Winslow's smile.

"Alden, we name you sheriff _pro tempore_, to warn the brethren of this
convention. All the men, mind you," said the governor quietly.

"But none of the women, mark you!" whispered Priscilla to John as Carver
turned aside.

"Nay, who ever heard of women clamoring to be heard among men in
council," suggested Mary Chilton, while Alden, with a side glance and
smile at the merry maids, followed the governor a step and said,--

"Ay, sir, and I will moreover warn goodwife Billington to-night, that
she may have the Common house redded betimes."

"Well thought on, John," replied Carver smiling, for goodwife
Billington's untidiness was but too notorious among her associates.

"Thou 'lt have to lay a hand to 't thyself, John," murmured Priscilla as
the young man returned to the fire to gather up the bullets and moulds,
and if it must be confessed to seize the chance of one more word with
Priscilla; "best bring up two or three buckets of sand from the beach,
and when yon slattern hath done her best, spill you the sand over all,
and so hide her shortcomings."

"'T is good advice, as thine ever is," returned the lover, and so
energetic did Goody Billington find both his reminders and his help that
evening and the next morning, that the Common house was set in order at
a good hour, and by nine o'clock the Council, consisting of nineteen
men, all that were left of the forty-one who signed the original compact
on board the Mayflower, gathered around the table, where beside the
governor sat Howland, ready to take minutes of the proceedings of the
meeting, and, as it wer