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Casting a farewell look at the glimmering sail of the Mayflower,

Distant, but still in sight, and sinking below

the horizon,

Homeward together they walked, with a strange, indefinite feeling,

That all the rest had departed and left them

alone in the desert.

But, as they went through the fields in the blessing and smile of the sunshine,

Lighter grew their hearts, and Priscilla said

very archly:

"Now that our terrible Captain is gone in pursuit of the Indians,

Where he is happier far than he would be commanding a household,

You may speak boldly, and tell me of all that happened between you,

When you returned last night, and said how ungrateful you found me."

Thereupon answered John Alden, and told her the whole of the story, — Told her his own despair, and the direful wrath of Miles Standish.

Whereat the maiden smiled, and said between laughing and earnest,

"He is a little chimney, and heated hot in a moment!"

But as he gently rebuked her, and told her how he had suffered,

How he had even determined to sail that day in the Mayflower,

And had remained for her sake, on hearing the dangers that threatened,

All her manner was changed, and she said with a faltering accent,

"Truly I thank you for this: how good you have been to me always!"

Thus, as a pilgrim devout, who toward Jerusalem journeys,

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Urged by the fervor of love, and withheld by

remorseful misgivings.

THE MARCH OF

MILES STANDISH

M

VII

THE MARCH OF MILES STANDISH

EANWHILE the stalwart Miles Standish was marching steadily northward, Winding through forest and swamp, and along the trend of the sea-shore,

All day long, with hardly a halt, the fire of

his anger

Burning and crackling within, and the sul

phurous odor of powder

Seeming more sweet to his nostrils than all

the scents of the forest.

Silent and moody he went, and much he re

volved his discomfort;

He who was used to success, and to easy vic

tories always,

Thus to be flouted, rejected, and laughed to

scorn by a maiden,

Thus to be mocked and betrayed by the friend whom most he had trusted!

Ah! 't was too much to be borne, and he fretted and chafed in his armor!

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