P OF
_MILES STANDISH_

In olden days, a ship called the _Mayflower_ left the shores of England
and set sail for a distant and unknown land, carrying a number of
Puritan pilgrims on board. Among their number were two men who were
close friends, though they were utterly different both in character and
looks. Miles Standish was a short, strongly built man with muscles and
sinews like iron; his reddish beard was already flaked with patches of
white and his face browned from his out-of-door life. Hasty and
passionate, Miles Standish was, nevertheless, a born leader of men, and
was greatly respected by all who knew him. His friend, John Alden, was a
much younger man, with fair hair and blue eyes. He was no soldier, but
skilled in all manual labor, and, moreover, a scholar and a scribe.

The two friends settled in the village of Plymouth, and Miles Standish
soon distinguished himself by his warlike qualities and was made captain
of the town, while John Alden, who lived with him, acted as his
secretary and household companion.

One day they were sitting together, Miles reading about Caesar's great
victories, and John occupied in writing letters to his people at home,
filled mostly with accounts of the beautiful Puritan maiden, Priscilla.
Presently Miles Standish looked up from his reading and said to John:
"When you have finished writing I have something important to tell you."

"I am ready to listen," cheerfully replied the young man.

"Since Rose Standish died years ago," said the Captain, "my life has
been a very dreary one. In my hours of loneliness I have often thought
of the maiden, Priscilla, who is as friendless as I am. She is quite
alone in the world, for her mother, father, and brother all died in the
winter. I have never dared speak my thoughts to her, but I want you to
do so for me. Go to Priscilla and tell her that a blunt old captain,
readier at action than words, loves her dearly. You are a scholar and
can speak to her in tender words such as are best suited to win the
heart of a maiden."

Bewildered and dismayed at his friend's request, John replied: "Indeed I
cannot give such a message as this. If you would have a thing well done
you must do it yourself, not leave it to others--these are your own
words."

The Captain gravely shook his head. "I cannot, indeed," said he. "I can
march up to a fortress and summon the place to surrender, but I dare not
face a woman with such a proposal. Surely you will no