The foul weather prevented any accurate calculation of latitude and longitude, and they were so far out in their reckoning that when they caught sight of land on the 9th of November, it was to Cape Cod that they had 5 come. Their patent gave them no authority to settle here, as it was beyond the jurisdiction of the London Company.

They turned their prow southward, but encountering perilous shoals and a stiff head wind, they desisted and 10 sought shelter in Cape Cod bay. On the 11th they

decided to find some place of abode in this neighborhood, anticipating no difficulty in getting a patent from the Plymouth Company, which was anxious to obtain settlers.

For five weeks they stayed in the ship while little 15 parties were exploring the coast and deciding upon the best site for a town. It was purely a coincidence that the spot which they chose had already received from John Smith the name of Plymouth, the beautiful port in Devonshire from which the "Mayflower" had sailed. 20 There was not much to remind them of home in the

snow-covered coast on which they landed. They had hoped to get their rude houses built before the winter should set in, but the many delays and mishaps had served to bring them ashore in the coldest season. When the 25 long winter came to an end, fifty-one of the hundred

Pilgrims had died,

a mortality even greater than that before which the Popham colony had succumbed.

But Brewster spoke truth when he said, "It is not with us as with men whom small things can discourage or small discontentments cause to wish themselves at home 5 again."

At one time the living were scarcely able to bury the dead; only Brewster, Standish, and five other hardy ones were well enough to get about.

At first they were crowded under a single roof, and, as 5 glimpses were caught of dusky savages skulking among the trees, a platform was built on the nearest hill and a few cannon were placed there in such wise as to command the neighboring valleys and plains.

By the end of the first summer the platform had grown 10 to a fortress, down from which to the harbor led a village street with seven houses finished and others going up. Twenty-six acres had been cleared, and a plentiful harvest gathered in; venison, wild fowl, and fish were easy to obtain.

15 When provisions and fuel had been laid in for the ensuing winter, Governor Bradford appointed a day of thanksgiving. Town meetings had already been held and a few laws passed. The history of New England had begun.

Abridged.

capacity amount of weight a ship can carry. Brewster: the first minister of Plymouth colony. - Standish: Captain Miles Standish. The London Company had a charter from King James, which granted to them the coast between 34° and 38° north latitude. The Plymouth Company's charter included the coast between 41° and 45° north latitude.—the Popham colony: a settlement in Maine, made under the direction of the Plymouth Company. It proved a failure. -- wise: fashion or manner; guise comes from the same word.

SONGS OF THE NIGHT

ALICE MEYNELL and FRANCIS BOURDILLON are English writers whose poems suggest beautiful pictures. HARRIET MARTINEAU (1802–1876) was an Englishwoman who wrote mainly on political and historical subjects.

I

All my stars forsake me,

And the dawn-winds shake me.

Where shall I betake me?

Whither shall I run

Till the set of sun,

Till the day be done?

ALICE MEYNELL.

II

The night hath a thousand eyes,

And the day but one;

Yet the light of the bright world dies,
With the dying sun.

The mind hath a thousand eyes,

And the heart but one;

Yet the light of a whole life dies

When love is done.

5

FRANCIS BOurdillon.

III

Beneath this starry arch

Naught resteth or is still;

But all things hold their march,

As if by one great will:

Moves one, move all: hark to the footfall!

On, on, forever!

By night, like stars on high,

The hours reveal their train;

They whisper and go by:

I never watch in vain.

Moves one, move all: hark to the footfall!

On, on, forever!

HARRIET MARTINEAU.

SELECTIONS FROM THE BIBLE

PSALM I

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor 15 sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also 20 shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.