ok
were dispatched to discover the truth of the matter, while Nepeof was
held as a hostage.

CHAPTER XXV.

A LITTLE DISCIPLINE.

"And how sped you in your errand, Master Envoy?" inquired Standish as,
lighted pipe in hand, he once more seated himself upon the bench outside
his cabin door to enjoy the sunset hour.

But at the sudden question John Alden's face flushed deeper than the
sunset, and he stammered, "I am so blundering, Master--I told the maiden
all you bade me, but--but"--

"But what, thou stammering idiot!" roared the captain, his serene brow
suddenly overcast, and the red surging up to his own brow. "Dost mean to
say the girl flouted the suit of--nay, then, what dost thou mean? Speak
out, man, and be not so timorous!"

"Here is Giles Hopkins!" exclaimed John, as feet were heard running up
the hill, and the captain angrily turned to meet the new-comer,
shouting,--

"Well, what dost thou want, youngster? Is a man never to be rid of
half-wit boys in this place!"

"Please, Captain, the governor desires you to come in haste to a sudden
Council. The Indians are come in, and methinks"--

"And who in Beelzebub's name cares what thou thinkst!" shouted the
captain. "Begone before I box thy malapert ears." And driving the lad
before him he strode down the hill without another word or look at John,
who grinding his heel into the turf muttered,--

"And now he's angered, and beshrew me if I could not find it in my heart
to wish Priscilla had said him yea, rather than nay. It were easier to
bear her scorn of me if I knew that he was content. 'T is not so hard to
suffer loss if a dear friend gains by that same loss."

Meantime Standish striding wrathfully down the hill met Priscilla as she
darted out of the door of the elder's house. At sight of him she stopped
short, coloring scarlet, and yet her whole face gleaming with a wicked
inclination to laugh.

The captain also hesitated a moment, and then removing his barret cap
with a bow whose stately courtesy recalled his lineage he said,--

"Pardon me, Mistress Molines, for what it seems was undue presumption.
May I ask if the Council is convened here or at the Common house?"

"At the Common house, Captain; but indeed and by my faith I know not"--

"Pardon if I venture to cut you short, Mistress, but I am summoned in
haste to the Council."

And with another formal bow the captain hastened on, leaving Priscilla
biting her lip and staring after him, ha