[The others crowd around Pierce, and greet him with joyous and grateful exclamations.]
Pierce. [To Winthrop.] Your Excellency, I have the honor to report the safe arrival of the Lyon!
Winthrop. An hour ago we had well-nigh given you up!
Pierce. We have met with many unforeseen delays on our voyage.
Wilson. Did you meet with storms?
Pierce. Many of them, one so severe that one of our sailors was washed overboard. But our greatest delay was caused by our meeting a dismasted bark, which we must needs tow back to Bristol. We could only imagine what you must suffer in our absence. I, too, thank Heaven we have arrived!
Dudley. Have you provisions aboard?
Pierce. Yes, verily, a goodly store. We have wheat, peas, and oatmeal; we have beef and pork and cheese and butter! [Great relief and thankfulness shown by the company.]
[To Winthrop.] If Your Excellency will ask a few men to volunteer to go down to the Lyon and help us unlade her, we shall have everybody fed within the hour.
Samuel. [Eagerly.] I will volunteer!