They had almost reached the group, when suddenly from the north there came a low roaring noise, and the earth beneath their feet shook and trembled so violently that many of the children were thrown to the ground, while the bundles Goodman Pepperell was carrying for the Captain flew in every direction.  Those who kept their feet at all reeled and staggered in a strange, wild dance, and every child in the group screamed with all his might.  The women screamed, too, calling frantically to the children, and the men came pouring out of the door of the Common House, trying to steady themselves as they were flung first one way, then another by the heaving ground.  It lasted but a few dreadful moments, and the Captain was the first to recover his speech.

“There, now,” said he, a little breathlessly, “ain’t it lucky I had my sea legs on!  ’T wa’n’t anything but an earthquake, anyway.”

The instant they could stay on their feet, the children ran to their mothers, who were also running to them, and in less time than it takes to tell it the whole village was gathered before the Common House.  As Daniel, with the Captain and his father, joined the stricken company, Governor Bradford was speaking.  He had been Governor of the Colony for so long that in time of sudden stress the people still turned to him for counsel though Mr. Prence was really the Governor.

“Think ye not that the finger of the Lord would direct us by this visitation?” he said to the white-faced group.  “We were met together in council because some of our number wish to go away from Plymouth to find broader pastures for their cattle, even as Jacob separated from Esau with all his flocks and herds.  In this I see a sign of God’s displeasure at our removals one from another.”

John Howland now found his voice.  “Nay, but,” he said, “shall we limit the bounty of the Lord and say, ’Only here shall He prosper us’?”

“What say the Scriptures to him who was not content with abundance, but must tear down his barns to build bigger?” answered the Governor.  “‘This night thy soul shall be required of thee.’”

There was no reply, and the pale faces grew a shade paler as a second rumble was heard in the distance, the earth again began to tremble, and a mighty wave, rolling in from the sea, crashed against the shore.  Above the noise of the waters rose the voice of Governor Bradford.  “He looketh upon the earth and it trembleth.  He toucheth the hills and they smoke.  The Lord is merciful and gracious.  He will not always chide, neither will He keep his anger forever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins.”

Seeing how frightened the people were, the Captain broke the silence which fell upon the trembling group after the Governor’s words.  “Lord love ye!” he cried heartily.  “This wa’n’t no earthquake to speak of.  ’T wa’n’t scarcely equal to an ague chill down in the tropics!  They would n’t have no respect for it down there.  ’T would n’t more than give ’em an appetite for their victuals.”