"And how far?"
"Suppose walk, five days; big wind in ship, one day."
"And how camest thou, and when?"
"Ship. Three, four moons ago."
"Ah, then it is not an armed assault upon us," said Carver aside and in a tone of relief.
"Nay, these salvages are more treacherous than a quicksand. Try him with more questions," suggested Hopkins, the other men murmuring assent, while the Indian glancing with his opaque, black eyes from one to another showed not how much he understood of what went on about him.
"'In vino veritas,'" suggested Bradford with a smile. "Were it not well to give him something by way of welcome?"
"Samoset like beer. Much talk make throat dry like brook in summer," remarked the guest, but whether in response or not no one could say.
"Thou 'rt right, man, and though thy skin's tawny, thy inside is very like a white man's," exclaimed Standish with a laugh. "John Alden, thou knowest the cupboards of this place passing well; find our friend wherewith to fill yon dry brook-bed of a throat; that is with the governor's permission."
"Surely, surely, Captain Standish," replied Carver with gentle alacrity. "Your word is enough. And while Alden finds wherewithal to feed and quench his thirst, John Howland shall bring a mantle or cloak from my house to throw about him, for it is not seemly that our people should see us entertaining a man stark as he was born."