e, to open the Town Records of Plymouth.

The governor in a short address set forth the danger which evidently
menaced the little colony, and invited the opinion of the freemen
assembled as to the means of meeting it. One and another offered his
brief remarks, and at last Bradford in a few strong and sensible words
proposed that the whole company there present should be resolved into a
military body, and properly exercised in the use of arms and tactics of
defense.

"That is my own thought, Master Bradford," replied Carver eagerly; "and
this course is the more feasible that we have among us a man so skilled
in warfare, and so judicious in counsel as our brother Standish, who
hath already the rank of Captain in the armies of our sovereign King
James, and hath for love of liberty and the truth given up the sure
prospect of advancement in the king's armies, now that the hordes of
Spain are again let loose upon our Dutch allies, and every British
soldier is called to their defense. I therefore propose that we appoint
Captain Standish our military commander-in-chief, with full power to
organize, order, and enforce his authority as he shall see best for the
interests of the community, and I for one place myself in all such
matters under his command, and promise to answer to his summons, and
yield to his counsel in all things appertaining to warfare, offensive or
defensive."

"And I say as doth the governor," added Winslow, turning his astute and
thoughtful face to Standish, with a smile of brotherly confidence.

"And I," added Bradford heartily, and the word of assent went round the
table, until each man had given his personal adherence to the new
commander-in-chief, and Brewster closed the list by saying with a
benevolent smile,--

"And I, although a man of peace, and too well stricken in years to
become an active soldier, will in time of need refuse not to strike a
blow under our captain's command for the defense of those God hath
entrusted to our care."

"And shall we call Master Standish General, or how shall we mark his new
dignity?" asked Hopkins a little pompously.

"Nay, I'll be naught but Captain," replied Standish hastily. "So runneth
my commission from good Queen Bess, heaven rest her soul, and here have
we neither parchment nor seals, no, nor authority for making out new
commissions. I have that I tell of, and 't is enough: 'Our well beloved
Captain, Myles Standish,' it runneth, and by that name I'll live