Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-11-19

dian messengers sent by the Pilgrims had
been, imprisoned by Corbitant, who
threatened them with death. A solemn
council of the colonists was called. El-
der Brewster, the leader Of the flock,
pleaded earnestly against bloodshed.
He thought an appeal to the consciences
of the rebellious Indians would be effect
i've. William Bradford, who had been
elected governor on the death of Car
yer, hesitated to counsel war, yet doubt
ed the efficacy of Elder Brewster's poll
cy. Each of the members of the coun-
sci spoke his mind, some counselling this,
some that, but all shrinking from advis-
ing warlike action. Then Captain Miles
Standish started to his feet in anger.
" You are men of the Bible said he,
|" but am man of the sword. I will
talk to these savages through my musk
cts, and they will then listen quietly to
our sermons. Give me dozen men,
and the rest can pray for our success
whilst we march and fight"
Next morning he started out with
fourteen men, we'll armed, in heavy
rain. At night they lost their way, and
wet, weary of marching all day in cum
brous armor and carrying heavy arms,
they sat down in the woods greatly dis
couraged. But the trail was again found
and they made sudden attack on the
Indian village, capturing or putting to
fight all the rebellious Indians, and from
the centre of the village Miles Standish
proclaimed the intention of the Pilgrims
to reinstate Massasoit, and to protect
all those who should prove the friends of
the white men. The news of this sue
cessful attack and the proclamation of
the dreaded white chief soon spread, and
before many days the chiefs of all the
surrounding country came in, protesting
friendship and asking for treaties of al
lance.
Under these favorable circumstances
the first harvest was gathered. With
joyful hearts they secured the bountiful
crop of Indian corn which had ripened
in the fierce heats of August in the warm
haze Of September. As they looked on
the heaped-up stores,-the frst-fruits oi
. the soil Of their new home,-their hearts
S swelled with thankfulness that the Lord
e had SO mercifully cared for them, and
e that, though sorely smitten with pest, j,
r peace, and freedom from the dread o
e famine.
It Mindful of the Providence to whom
q those blessings were due, Governor Brad
/ ford proclaimed a solemn Thanksgiving
feast, and ordered that preparation
e should be made for celebrating it witt
7 such festivities as were in their power
3 Four men were dispatched in the wood
u to shoot wild-fowl, and though the gam
g had been scanty throughout the sum
. mer, the four sportsmen returned a
night staggering under their burdens Q
a turkeys and other wild-fowl great ant
70 small, sufficient to provision the Who'll
settlement an entire week. There wa
"a rare work among the good wives of tn
OF Pilgrims, plucking and dressing the gam
N pounding corn and baking it, gettin
r out and polishing the tin and pewter t.
"a BILE services brought from England an
n. Holland, and scrubbing the woode
:, trenches that served the poorer Pilgrim
81 in place of tin or pewter.
y The roar Of one Of the great guns G
ia the hilltop announced the commenc
ne ment Of Thanksgiving. Then, in Il
u different dwellings and over fires lit
Gu the open air, began the work Of roas
ey ing and boiling. The air was befo
TO long savory with the steam of turke
all turning on strings before the fire, and
lly smaller birds fizzing on spits or dancir
os- in bubbling pots.
IN There was rattle of drums. and G
ar cry man caught up his musket or fiji
lock and hurried to the house of t
ck- Captain, falling into line as he arrive
nd When all had assembled the sergea
,od stepped forward, and the men, thr
ere abreast, with firearms shouldered, marc
in ed oderly and silently toward the me
sti- ing-house. Behind came Governor Bra
ers ford, in his long robe of Office, walk
ed. gravely, as beftted governor. On
les right hand went the venerable Elt
yer Brewster, in his preachers cloak, be
in ing the Bible reverently in his han
low On the Governors left walked Capt.
wer Miles Standish, his heavy armor |,
his aside for a short cloak, his trusty swe
lies at his side, and small cane in his ha
!, as as a mark of Office. Proudly he watcl
for the firm tread, sturdy frames, and {
SEN viceable weapons of the little troop
fore him, and was half regretful Il
by, among the subjects for the days than
ling givings was the blessing of peace "
ops. all the tribes about them. 1t was aim
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