rrand there."

The shallop's first port was Nauset, and here, although the corn was
obtained and loaded without difficulty, a thief stole some clothes from
the boat while it was for the moment unguarded; and finding mild words
of no avail in their recovery, Standish sought Aspinet, who was
encamped at a little distance from the shore, and refusing all
hospitality or friendly conversation roundly announced that unless the
missing articles were restored without delay he should at once make sail
for Plymouth and declare war upon the whole tribe.

Marching down to his boat closely followed by Alden the captain suddenly
paused and struck his heel upon the ground.

"Now then, I was to roar like a dove, and I have howled like any wolf!
And I to preach obedience! nay then, John, thou 'rt free to flout me as
thou wilt."

"But, Captain, so far as I heard the governor's command it was only to
fetch some corn," suggested Alden slyly. "All else was left at your
discretion, as indeed all matters military are. Such was the tenor of
the vote that made you our Captain."

"Come, now, John, that's not ill thought on; that's not so dull as might
be," replied the captain glancing merrily at his follower. "Thou 'st
been studying under Winslow as well as Standish. Well, then, let us wait
and see what comes of my roar."

An hour later as the boat's crew sat around their camp-fire eating their
frugal dinner, the sound of many feet was heard breaking through the
neighboring thickets, and Standish with a glance at Alden said
quietly,--

"Stand to your arms, men, but softly and without offense until we see
the need. The savages are in force."

But as it turned out the force was but a guard of honor to Aspinet, who
came in state, followed by two women bringing the stolen coats
elaborately bound around with gayly colored withes; these they at once
took on board and laid in the cuddy, while Aspinet improving upon
Tisquantum's former lessons as to the mode of saluting sovereigns seized
upon Standish's hand, and much to his disgust licked it from wrist to
fingers, at the same time bending his knee in uncouth genuflection.

"Enough, enough, Aspinet," exclaimed the captain half laughing, half
revolted at the homage. "The coats are returned I see"--

"And I have much beaten him who took them," averred Aspinet
complacently. "And Aspinet is the friend of the white men though all
other Indians turn against them."

"Why, that is well, sachem," r