n
this especial evening, while the captain sitting upon a bench beside the
cottage door smoked a pipe wondrously carved from a block of chalcedony
by some "Ancient Arrowmaker" of forgotten fame, and presented to
Standish by his admiring friend Hobomok, who, having silently studied at
his leisure the half dozen principal men among the Pilgrims, had settled
upon Standish as most nearly representing his ideal of combined courage,
wisdom, and endurance, so that he already was beginning to be known as
"the Captain's Indian," just as Squanto was especially Bradford's
henchman.

"'T is a goodly sight--a sweet and fair country," said the Captain half
aloud, and Alden just pausing to note that his last pebble had gone down
the throat of the saker, turned to inquire,--

"What is it, master?"

For reply the captain took the pipe from his mouth, and with the stem
pointed to Manomet, where mile after mile of fresh young verdure rose
steeply against the rosy eastern sky, while the sun sinking behind what
was to be the Captain's Hill shot a flood of golden glory across the
placid bay cresting each little wave with radiance, and burying itself
at last among the whispering foliage of the mount.

"Saw you ever a fairer sight, lad?"

"Nay, 't is fair as the Hills of Beulah whereof the elder spake last
night," softly replied John.

"And fairer, for we can see it with our eyes of to-day," replied the
captain dryly. The younger man glanced briefly at his master's face, and
failing to read its complex expression, contented himself with a
somewhat uneasy smile as he turned to gaze upon the scene in thoughtful
silence.

Standish noting with one of his quick glances his follower's
embarrassment, took counsel with himself, and as he quietly refilled his
pipe said,--

"Mark me well, lad, I mean not to cast aught of discredit on the elder's
teaching, nor to shake any man's faith in Beulahs, or Canaans, or hills
of Paradise, for doubtless Holy Writ gives warrant for such forecasting;
and surely approved masters of strategy, and warfare both offensive and
defensive, like Moses, and David, and Joshua, did not fight for the
guerdon of a fool's bauble, or a May-queen's garland. But yet, mind
thee, John, there are other great soldiers given us as ensamples in that
same Holy Writ who seemed to set no store upon the Beulahs, and cared
naught for milk or honey; men like Gideon, and Samson, and Saul, and
Joab; and still the Lord of Hosts led these