Neither Daniel nor his father needed a second invitation, for the keen salt air had given them the appetite of wolves, and the breakfast was soon disposed of according to directions.  Then the two followed the Captain over the side and into the boat, which had been lowered and was now bobbing about on the choppy waves of the bay.  When they were settled and the boat was properly trimmed, the Captain rowed toward a small stream of clear water which flowed down from the hills back of the town, and landed them at the foot of the one little street of the village.  The Captain drew the boat well up on the shore and stowed letters and parcels in various places about his person, and the three started up the hill together.  They had not gone far, when a childish voice shouted, “There ’s Captain Sanders,” and immediately every child within hearing came tumbling down the hill till they swarmed about him like flies about a honey-pot.

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“Pirates!” cried the Captain, holding up his hands in mock terror.  “I surrender.  Come aboard and seize the cargo!” He held open the capacious pocket which hung from his belt, and immediately half a dozen small hands plunged into it and came out laden with raisins.

“Here, now, divide fairly,” shouted the Captain.  “No pigs!” and with children clinging to his hands and coat-tails he made a slow progress up the hill, Daniel and his father following closely in his wake.

As they were nearing the Common House, two more children caught sight of him and came racing to meet him.  The Captain dived into his pocket for more raisins and found it empty, but he was equal to the emergency.  “Here, you, Mercy and Joseph Bradford,” he cried, “I ’ve brought you something I have n’t brought to any one else.  I ’ve brought you a new cousin.”  The other children had been so absorbed in their old friend they had scarcely noticed the strangers hitherto, but now they turned to gaze curiously at Daniel and his father.  Joseph and Mercy were both a little younger than Daniel, and all three were shy, but no one could stay shy long when the Captain was about, and soon they were walking along together in the friendliest manner.

“Where ’s thy father, young man?” said the Captain, speaking to Joseph.  “I have a letter for him, and I have brought a relation for him too.”

“I wish you would bring me a cousin,” said one little girl enviously.

“Well, now,” roared the Captain, “think of that!  I have a few relations of my own left over that I ’d be proper glad to parcel out amongst ye if I ’d only known ye was short, but I have n’t got ’em with me.”

“Father ’s in there,” said Joseph, pointing to the Common House.  “They ’re having a meeting.  Elder Brewster ’s there, too, and Mr. Winslow and Captain Standish and Governor Prence.”  It was evident that some matter of importance was being discussed, for a little knot of women had gathered before the door as if waiting for some decision to be announced.