yself for
the corn, with what men thou dost call for, and I doubt not we shall
find thee burgeon into a diplomatist equal at least to the great Cecil
or to Sir Walter Raleigh"--

"Ay, and that minds me," interrupted Standish "of the news sent us by
good Master Huddlestone of the Betsey, how the Virginia savages had
massacred three hundred and forty-seven of Raleigh's settlers, and would
have made an end of them but for warning given by a friendly Indian."

"Ay, it was heavy news, and a timely warning," said the governor losing
his air of gayety and sighing deeply. "And if indeed Weston's men have
angered the Neponsets to the pitch we fear, the news of this Virginia
success will embolden them to undertake the same revenge. Be wary,
Standish, and very gentle in thy dealings. If war is determined, let it
be entered upon deliberately and formally; take not the matter into
thine own hands and mayhap lose us our commander just at the onset."

"Ay Will, 'I'll roar thee gently' as any sucking dove, an' there seemeth
need to roar at all."

"Best not roar at all until all thy comrades may join in unison," and
once more Bradford's face lighted with its peculiar smile, the sort of
smile one might bestow upon his double should he meet him and address
him with a jest unknown to any other.

And so it came to pass that the next morning's rising sun saw two
important expeditions leaving the hamlet in opposite directions. Toward
the dark and almost pathless woods at the North marched Winslow
accompanied by Master John Hampden, then visiting the colony and
studying the science of republican government in its most perfect,
because most simple, development. With them went Hobomok as guide and
interpreter, and after them went the tearful prayers of Susanna Winslow,
who loved her new lord better than she had the father of baby Peregrine
toddling at her side, as she stood in the cabin door to gaze after the
little group already almost out of sight, and making now for the
"Massachusetts trail" where it crosses Jones's River in Kingston. And as
one driving over that pleasant road which now intersects the old trail
pauses to look up its green ascent, or on across the placid stream it
forded, does he not almost catch sight of the goodly forms of those
young men, quaintly clad in doublet and hose and the wide hats or the
close barret caps of the day, led by the sleek slender savage who
patiently stood by, while Winslow turned and pointed out t