t in this matter of the Weymouth
colonists and their quarrel with the Indians, we had better, now that
the palisado around the town is complete"--

"Gates, bolts, bastions, all complete from the great rock around to the
brook," interposed Standish, his figure visibly dilating with
satisfaction. Bradford smiled and allowed his eyes to rest
affectionately for an instant upon his comrade, then continued in a
lighter tone,--

"So having fortified your hold, Captain, it is now fitting that you
should provision it. Thou knowest how in my journeyings last month I
bought and stored corn at Nauset, and Manomet, and Barnstable, and now
that we have a moment's breathing space, it were well that some one
should take the pinnace and fetch it. At the same time there will be
good occasion to feel the pulse of the various chiefs, and determine
what is their intended course and so settle our own."

"Nay, Winslow is the man for that work, Governor," replied the captain
bluntly. "I will go and get the corn, and if need be teach the savages a
lesson upon the dangers of plotting and conniving, but as to talking
smoothly with men who are lying to me"--

"But why prejudge them, Captain," began Winslow, when with a tap upon
the door Squanto himself appeared ushering in a strange Indian whom he
fluently presented as a friend of his who had come with great news.
Bidden to deliver it, the stranger stated that a great Dutch ship had
gone ashore at Sowams (Bristol), and would be wrecked unless help could
be had, and this could not be given by the Indians, for Massasoit lay
dying and no one would stir without his command.

This news changed the aspect of affairs, and Winslow was at once
appointed to pay Massasoit a visit of inquiry, and in case of his death
to make an alliance if possible with Corbitant, his probable successor
as sachem of the Pokanokets. He also was to see the commander of the
Dutch vessel, and in case of a wreck to offer the hospitality of
Plymouth to the sufferers, for in case of the famine narrowly impending
over the colony, the friendship and aid of the Dutch might become of the
last importance. Besides this, the dangerous Narragansetts were known to
have made alliance with the Dutch, and might by them be deterred from
molesting the Plymouth settlers if they were known to be their friends.

"And so, Myles," declared Bradford finding himself alone with his friend
at the end of the informal council, "thou must e'en go by th