With his four score of years on his head Simon Bradstreet yet did injustice to his immortal youth and energy. The council knew that it was the gall and wormwood which he had manfully swallowed, twenty-three years before, when he went to Charles the Second to congratulate him upon his restoration to the throne, that wrought upon him now more than did the infirmities of age.
“If we prove successful in finding an agent from among us, Friend Soam,” said Winslow, “will you be one with us to find money for his pilgrimage?”
“And whom would you have in mind?” John cautiously replied.
The governors turned with one accord to David Donner.
“They have asked this service of me,” said David.
Leverett said: “There is no one else so free, so gifted and so bountifully supplied with knowledge of these colonies. Nor is there any one among us whose comprehension of the intrigues and artifices employed by Randolph is so reliable.”
“We have none among us more diplomatic and logical and yet adherent to the cause of truth,” added Winslow.
“I feel sure, David, you are the fittest man in Boston for this important undertaking,” John Soam said, gravely.
“And we could count on you to furnish some of the necessary funds, if Donner will go, could we not?” asked Winslow, striking while the Soam iron was hot.
“You may, to be sure,” John responded, more slowly. “But David has not yet indicated whether he will undertake this mission or no.”