"Captain, it is my duty as the chief officer of this colony to learn the contents of these missives."
"Yes, but how? The traitors will not betray themselves."
"I must privately open and read their letters, it is my duty."
"No, no, Will; no, no! I can't give in to that; I can't help you there, man! To open and read another man's letter, and on the sly, is all one with hearkening at a keyhole, or telling a lie, or turning your back on an enemy without a blow. You can't do that, Will, let the cause be what it may."
And as the captain's astonished gaze fixed itself upon his friend's face, Bradford colored deeply, yet made reply in a voice both resolute and self-respecting,—
"I feel as you do, Standish, and as any honorable man must; but this is a matter involving more than mine own honor or pleasure. If these men are persuading our associates in England to withdraw from their agreement, and refuse to send us further supplies, or to find a market for our commodities, and so help out our own struggles for subsistence, we and all these weaklings dependent upon us are lost. You know yourself how hardly we came through the famine of last year, and although by the mercy of God we now may hope to provide our own food, what can we do for clothes, for tools, for even the means of communication with our old home, if the Adventurers throw us over, or if they demand immediate repayment of the moneys advanced ? In every way, and for all sakes, it is imperative that we prevent an evil and false report going home to those upon whose help we still must rely for the planting of our colony."
"To be sure it is the usage of war to intercept the
