gained a name. But the elder turned a deaf ear at these
moments, and neither the truly devout Carver, nor the elegant Winslow,
nor formal Allerton, nor self-restrained Bradford, chose to notice these
lapses on the part of him who was giving all his energies and all his
experience to their defense. As the sun set, Master Jones straightened
his back, and setting his hands upon his hips exclaimed,--

"There, then, my little generalissimo, thy guns are set, and by thine
own ordering, not mine. And let me tell thee now, 't is lucky thou and I
do not often train in company, for I'd sooner serve in an Algerian
galley than under thee, and if thou wast under me, I'd shoot thee in the
first half day."

Standish, who was on his knees sighting his saker, did not hurry himself
to rise, but when he did so turned and eyed his ally with a grim smile.

"Thou 'rt right, Jones. Two game-cocks seldom agree until they have
fought a main or two. Yet methinks I could train thee to something after
a while."

Jones's red face grew redder yet, but before his slow wit had compassed
a retort, Carver interposed,--

"And now that our good day's work is done, it is seemly that we should
soberly rejoice and exult. Master Jones, wilt thou and thy men sup with
us?"

The sailor's face cleared directly, and with a roar of jovial merriment
he replied,--

"Marry will we, Master Governor, an' if you had not bidden us, I had
bidden you to the feast, for I brought more than cold iron ashore, I
promise you."

"What, then? Some beer and strong waters?" demanded Hopkins eagerly.

"Ay, man, and a fat goose ten pound weight, and some wild fowl beside,
and a whole runlet of beer and a pottle of Hollands. I brought them that
we should all make merry for once, and forget all that's come and gone,
and that you should wish me a fair passage home, and good luck on
getting there."

"Thou 'rt a good fellow, after all, Jones, and I for one will meet thee
half way, and pledge thee in mine own liquor, and change a bit of my
tender crane shot yesterday for a leg of thy goose." So saying,
Standish smote the sailor upon his shoulder, and took his great paw into
the grasp of a hand small and shapely, but of such iron grip that the
burly fellow winced, and wringing away his fingers cried,--

"Nay, then, thou 'rt more cruel as a friend than thou 'rt maddening as a
master. I'll none of thee."

"And where are thy generous gifts now bestowed?" asked Bradford
practicall