y.

"In the Common house. I bade Clarke go down the hill after our snack at
noon, and take them all out of the boat's cuddy and carry them up to
goodwife Billington, who is a famous cook, of wild fowl in particular"--

"She hath had practice while her goodman was poach--nay, then, I mean
gamekeeper on my Lord the Marquis of Carrabas's estates," put in
Standish gravely, and Billington, who stood by, started, tried to look
fierce, but ended with a craven laugh.

"Then Alden," suggested the Governor, "thou hadst best tell the women at
the elder's house to send over their own vivers, or a portion of them,
to the Common house, and we will all sup together. We have the captain's
crane and a brace of mallards, and a salted neat's tongue, with some
other matters, Master Jones, and can methinks well forget for one night
that hunger and cold and danger are lying at the door. 'T is wise to be
merry at times that we may better bear trouble at others."

"Ay, 't is a poor heart that never rejoices," replied the Master, in
what for him was a pleasant voice, although with a suspicious look
around, lest anybody should be jeering at his unwonted amenity.

But Standish was casting a comprehensive look about his little fortalice
to see if all was ready to be left for the night, and the younger men
were already going down the hill, and Carver and Bradford stood awaiting
their guest with cheerful and open countenance, devoid of mischief or
guile. So the old sea-dog sheathed his fangs, restrained his growl, and
assumed the bearing of coarse good humor which was his rare concession
to the claims of good society.

And now Alden hasting upon his errand found that Priscilla had already
been warned by Helen Billington of the proposed feast, and with Mistress
Brewster's consent had arranged the tables in the Common house, and
added to the heavier viands some delicate dishes of her own composition,
finishing by making a kettle of plum-porridge whereon the women were to
regale themselves in the Brewster kitchen while their lords feasted in
the Common house.

And thus with sober mirth and honest friendliness closed a day so
important in the annals of the settlement.

CHAPTER XIV.

SECOND MARRIAGES.

Doubtless the Indians lurking in the woods of Watson's Hill had watched
with wonder and alarm the process of mounting and securing the ordnance
of the Fort, itself a novel structure in their eyes, and wisely
concluded to consider the qu