: "John
Alden, you have betrayed me! We are no longer friends, and there can be
nothing between us henceforth but war and hatred!"

[Illustration]

In the midst of his angry words a man came in bringing a message of
urgent importance. There were rumors of danger, threats of war from
hostile Indian tribes, and the Captain was summoned to a council
meeting.

Still enraged, the Captain hastened away to the council and found it
already assembled and impatiently waiting his coming. A
ferocious-looking Indian was standing by a table on which lay a
rattlesnake's skin filled with arrows; this was the Indians' signal of
warfare. The council was debating whether it would be better to reply to
the challenge or try peaceful measures, but Miles Standish settled the
matter without more ado. Advancing to the table, he picked up the
rattlesnake's skin, and with a gesture of contempt jerked the Indian
arrows from it. Then he filled the skin to the brim with powder and
bullets and handed it back to the Indian, saying in a tone of thunder:

[Illustration]

"Here, take it! This is your answer!" The savage took the challenge in
silence, glided from the room, and soon disappeared into the recesses of
the forest.

Miles Standish returned late from the council and threw himself, dressed
as he was, on his pallet, so that he might be ready to set out at any
moment. John Alden was lying awake, but he was resentful at the
Captain's angry words to him and pretended to be asleep. At earliest
dawn Standish awoke and, taking his musket, strode from the room. John
Alden yearned to bid his friend farewell, but his pride would not let
him, and he beheld the Captain depart in anger and spoke no word.

Then he arose, made his own preparations, and went down to the shore. A
boat was waiting to convey him to the ship, but, as he was already
standing with one foot on the gunwale, he caught sight of Priscilla
looking at him with a sad and reproachful gaze.

At once his purpose changed. He determined that he would not go away,
but would remain and protect her. The captain of the ship bade farewell
to his friends and pushed off his boat. Not one of all who had set out
in the _Mayflower_ returned with her. The pilgrims wished the captain
and his men Godspeed and went back to their life of toil in the new
world.

As John turned to depart, Priscilla stood beside him and they spoke
together long and earnestly. She gently reproached John for pleading the