Well, master," returned Coppin slowly, and casting a furtive look at
Jones who was draining a pewter flagon of beer, "I did tell Master Jones
yonder, but he said he had liefer you seated here, and I was to hold my
tongue"--

"Thou liest, knave," roared Jones menacing him with the flagon. "Thou
liest in thy throat. Or if thou didst mumble some nonsense in mine ears,
I paid no heed, doubting not that thou hadst told it all before to thy
gossips among these pious folk. But, Governor, if it is your pleasure to
seek out this place, I will lend you some of my men and set you forward
at your own pleasure."

"Thanks for your good will, master," replied Carver coldly. "What say
you, friends? Shall we try it?"

Murmurs and words of assent were heard on all sides, and Standish
said,--

"My mind, if you will have it, is that this matter should be shrewdly
pressed, and an end made of it as soon as may be. Our people dwindle
daily; they who were well a se'nnight since are ill to-day, and may be
dead to-morrow. Our provision waxeth short and poor, and be it once
spent our good friend Jones will give us none of his we may be sure. We
are no babes to be cast down by these things, nor frighted at facing
them, but sure it is the part of wisdom to use our strength while it is
left to us, and to explore this place, and any other whereof we may
hear, with no farther delay. My counsel is to tell off a company of our
soundest men, and set forth with Coppin this very hour, or as soon as we
may."

"Well and manfully spoken, Captain Standish," replied Carver, and from
more than one bearded throat came a grim murmur of approval, while
Hopkins significantly added,--

"Let them who will, be treated as babes and set down here or there
without their own consent. I for one am with thee, Captain, in the
bolder course."

"If thou 'rt with me, thou 'rt with the governor and the brethren. I
have no separate design, Master Hopkins," replied Standish coldly. "I
did but give my mind subject to the approval of the rest."

"And so good a mind it seemeth to me, that I propose we follow it
without delay. What say ye, friends?"

"I like the scheme so well that I fain would set forth this moment,"
said Bradford, over whom the depression of his interview with Dorothy
still hung.

"Then in God's name let the thing go forward," said Carver solemnly
raising his hand. "And, it is my mind that such among us as have in some
sort the charge of the rest should