I hope, Captain,' returned Calvert, that if your Plymouth Colony should have recourse to a foreign traffic for wives, you will adopt that amendment; but I can answer for our southern planters, that Sir Edwin's proposition is far better suited to their taste.'

"I do not doubt you,' said the Captain; but I take it you have enough of that commodity now for home consumption, and have no need of an outward trade to supply yourselves.'

There is certainly no necessity for it,' replied Calvert; but it is well to keep up a friendly commerce with our neighbours, particularly the few whom we can call such on this side the Atlantic.'

'Well, I heard Major Atherton talk about visiting Virginia the other day,' said the Captain; 'but whether he intends to turn merchant or married man, I hav'nt yet discovered.'

'Neither at present,' returned Atherton; 'but I have ever felt a strong curiosity to see that country, which from its first discovery has excited so much interest in England, and is moreover associated with many pleasing and romantic recollections. The adventurous courage of Smith, the chivalrous spirit of the unfortunate Raleigh, and the devoted heroism of Pocahontas, would alone render it immortal.'

'You should add the raising of tobacco, cousin Edward,' said the Captain, laughing, 'You know it is a favourite plant of mine, and a great promoter of good-humour. I hope, Mr. Calvert, it continues in demand and produces good crops.'

6

The crops are plentiful enough,' returned Calvert; but I think, since king James's, "Counterblast," is getting out of date, it rather declines in value. Courtly opposition undoubtedly contributed to its circulation, and induced very many persons to try the effect of a weed, which their sovereign deigned to exercise his royal talents in writing a book to condemn.'

'I never could agree with his Majesty on that subject,' said the Captain, not to mention some others; and I will not give up my comfortable pipe of tobacco, though he is pleased to say, it is only "fit to regale the devil after dinner."

A summons to Mrs. Winslow's hospitable supper, here interrupted the conversation; and, soon afterwards the company dispersed to their respective places of abode.

CHAPTER XI.

What? do I love her,

That I desire to hear her speak again,

And feast upon her eyes?

SHAKESPEARE.

On the following afternoon, Captain Standish was obliged to leave home on business; and, having charged Alexander to entertain Major Atherton till he returned, the lad proposed his favourite amusement of fishing. They were soon launched upon the Bay; but, from whatever cause, the fish proved shy; which, however, only stimulated the perseverance of Alexander, who toiled manfully; and with much of his father's ardour, applied himself to the task, as if his life depended on success.

Atherton was certainly less zealous; his eyes continually reverted to the distant shores of the Gurnet, and his thoughts were probably occupied by certain associations connected with it; for his companion, while skilfully managing his own line, observed that his kinsman's remained long in the water, and only stirred by the dull motion of the waves. When he finally drew it out, the hook was without bait, and Alexander, who had seen it glitter before it reached the surface, exclaimed,

Upon my word, Major Atherton, that fish had a dainty morsel from your hook, and he must have 16*

VOL. I.

worked cautiously to take it off, without pricking his gills.'

6

'Really,' said Atherton, there is no sport for us to-day; I think the scaly race have all gone to bed in broad sun-shine.'

6

'Look, here are two notable fellows I have caught,' returned Alexander, and here comes another;-no, he has bit, and gone off with himself.'

'I should like to be off, too, Alexander, if it please you,' said Atherton; there is really more toil than pleasure in this tedious angling.'

'I will land you, if you wish it,' said Alexander, and return here by myself; my father will laugh at us, if we carry home no more spoil.'

Yonder is Plymouth,' said Atherton, if we can push in there, I will pass an hour or two, and be ready to return with you.'

In a few moments, Major Atherton stood on the Plymouth beach, and while deliberating what course to pursue, he moved slowly on, and, as if unconscious what path his feet had chosen, started at finding himself by the oak tree, which shaded the dwelling of Mr. Grey. I will not call again. to-day,' he thought, and passed leisurely on, though not without a strict survey of the premises. No person was visible; and Miriam's kitten, which lay sunning herself on the door-step, was the only animated object in the vicinity. Retracing his steps, Atherton was soon again on the sea shore, and not far from the Pilgrim's rock, close to which the Virginia pinnace lay at anchor. Thin groves

of trees were here and there scattered along the shore, apparently the second growth of large forests, which had undoubtedly once covered the plain where the village now stood, and which, on the first arrival of the colony, presented the appearance of a level field, though retaining vestiges of former cultivation, and bearing marks of the rude implements with which the natives were accustomed to till their ground, and prepare the ridges for their corn plantations. These appearánces, confirmed the report of some friendly savages, that it had once been the site of a flourishing Indian town, whose inhabitants were swept away by a contagious malady, which had desolated the country, from the Bay of Plymouth to the shores of the Narraganset.

As Major Atherton was passing along the skirts of a small wood, a faint rustling among the withered branches, caused him to look round; and, at the same instant, the low humining of a sweet female voice, directed his attention to a spot, where, leaning carelessly against the trunk of a tree, his eyes rested on the figure of Miriam Grey. She evidently did not see him, and was busily arranging some gay autumnal flowers, and fresh evergreens into a boquet, occasionally stopping to examine them with minute attention, while her countenance expressed the pleasure derived from her simple amusement. It is uncertain how long Atherton might have continued to admire in silence, the graceful negligence of her attitude, and listen to the plaintive melody