“Oh no,” said Donner.
“Such an action would precipitate difficulties with the King,” added Simon Bradstreet.
“And we would not dare to restrain him from further evil work?” John Soam inquired.
His friends shook their heads.
“We know well enough that he has gathered much testimony from persons willing to swear falsely, as to the grants to Gorges and Mason, in Maine and New Hampshire,” said David Donner. “Might we not go over this same ground and procure true, sworn testimony and statements from more credible persons, with which to refute him?”
“That would have been well advised seven years ago,” said Bradstreet, who had a way of tweaking his own nose when he began to speak, “but at that time we were still engrossed with, and alarmed by, the war with King Philip, and moreover we knew nothing of Randolph’s methods. It would have done well then, but now it is too late—much too late—for that sort of work.”
“I have thought upon the matter long and seriously,” said Winslow. “I can see no way so good as to send an agent from among ourselves to England, to intercede with Charles and to plead our cause personally at the Court, day after day.”
David Donner knew what was coming. He glared at an imaginary Stuart family.
John Soam said: “I can see the wisdom of such a course. I consider that when Goodman Simon Bradstreet went to London before, he did this colony great service. That was—let me see—why, twenty-three good long years since. Are you of a mind to go once more, Friend Simon?”
“I am an old man,” said Bradstreet, tweaking his nose with extra vigor. “A younger wit would be of far more service.”