ted Howland gravely. "Methought it must be
some such moving theme you discussed yester even as you sat on the
cable. I noted even at that distance the tears in your eyes."

"And if there were tears in mine eyes it is no matter of mocking, for
Mistress Priscilla was telling me that her mother is sick as she fears
unto death, and"--

"John Howland, the boat is coming off with the rest of our company and
noon-meat for us all. Wilt thou and John Alden receive and help them
ashore, while Gilbert helps us to make ready here?"

"Surely we will, Mistress Carver," replied Howland heartily, for his
relationship toward the governor and his beautiful wife was rather that
of a younger brother than of a retainer; and although the smallness of
his fortune had induced him to accept the patronage of the older and
wealthier man, it was much as a lad of noble lineage was content a few
years before this to become first the page and then the squire of a
belted knight.

The boat, unable to reach the shore on account of the flatness of the
beach, stuck fast about a bow-shot from dry land, and the men and boys
at once tumbled over the edge and prepared to carry not only the
luggage, but the female passengers ashore. Alden seeing this prospect,
tore off his boots and stockings, and plunging into the chill water
hastened to the stern of the boat where a slender, vivacious girl,
brown, dark-eyed, and with cheeks glowing with the dusky richness of a
peach, stood balancing herself like a bird and giving orders to a young
man already in the water.

"Now have a care, Robert Cartier, of that kettle. If thou spillst the
soup"--

"The onion soup, Mistress Priscilla?" asked Alden approaching
unperceived. Priscilla cast a look at him from the corners of her long
eyes, and replied carelessly,--

"Yes, Master Alden, an onion soup. Is that a favorite dish with your
worship?"

"Why, thou knowest,"--began the young man with an air of bewilderment,
but Priscilla interrupted him.

"Since thou art here with thy broad shoulders, John Alden, thou wilt do
well to make them of use. There is Mistress Allerton struggling with a
hamper beyond her strength, and there are bales of clothes that must not
be wet. Load thyself, good mule, and plod shoreward."

"To be sure I will and gladly, fair mistress," replied Alden patiently.
"But first let me take thee ashore dry-shod, and then I will bring all
the rest."

"Beshrew thee for a modest youth," retorted Prisc