9. The chief Wituwamat and the other two Indians were overpowered and killed by three of the captain's men who were with him in the room. One of the red-men escaped, and by spreading the alarm aroused the whole band. Standish attacked them, and they fled into a swamp, whence they would not come out, though defied by the plucky little captain. In all seven Indians were killed, the conspiracy was nipped in the bud, and the savages were taught a lesson which they did not forget in a long while. 10. The next event of Standish's life has been woven by Longfellow into a charming poem, "The Courtship of Miles Standish." Rose, his wife, as we have already learned, had died in the first terrible winter; but should he live alone? Why not make that sweet maiden, Priscilla Mullens, his helpmate? 11. But Miles was a grizzled soldier, and knew little of wooing, while Priscilla was young and fair, and might perhaps say "No." So he thought it would be best to conduct the courtship through his young friend and household companion, John Alden. 12. Handsome young Alden obtained permission from Priscilla's father to address the lady. This he did to the best of his ability. He spoke of his friend's courage and skill, and ended by declaring that 66 Any woman in Plymouth, nay, any woman in England, Might be happy and proud to be called the wife of Miles Standish!" 13. Such arguments might seem strong enough to convince any young lady; but they were unheeded by Priscilla. Perhaps she was offended because Miles did not do his own wooing. Or perhaps, as the poet hints, she secretly loved the fair-haired, blue-eyed John Alden; for she laughingly asked him why he did not speak for himself: "Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with laughter, Said, in a tremulous voice, 'Why don't you speak for yourself, John ?'" 14. To such a question John could find no answer and he departed, hopeless as far as the captain's suit went. He seems afterwards to have spoken for himself, however, for a short time later he married Priscilla. 15. As for Miles, it is pleasant to read that a year or two afterwards he found a lady, less proud than Priscilla, who was happy to accept the hand of the doughty little captain. HEADS FOR COMPOSITION. I. THE HOSTILE CHIEF: name of the unfriendly savage his message to the governor of Plymouth-Miles Standish's reply. II. STANDISH'S FAMOUS EXPLOIT: the plot of WituwamatMassasoit's warning - instructions to Captain Standish. III. THE CONSPIRACY CRUSHED: Standish marches to Weymouth insolence of Pecksuot — slaughter of Pecksuot― fate of the other Indians - result of the lesson. 3. The Dream Peddler. eär'ni-val, a festival celebrated for | spray, properly a twig or branch, a number of days before Lent: any festal occasion. făsh'ioned (-und), formed. gôr'ġeous (gôr'jus), grand, magnificent. gleams, flashes of color, tints. but here used in the sense of down. warp, the thread running lengthwise in the loom. woof, the thread that crosses the warp in weaving. 1. Up the streets of Slumbertown Calling softly up and down, "Dreams to sell! Dreams to sell! Will the children choose to buy? Such a world of them have I! 2. "Here are dreams of merry spring, Fashioned where the blossoms wake; With the songs the breezes make; 3. "Here are dreams for summer sleep; Woven where the fairies keep Dreams! dreams! buy and try; Who has daintier dreams than I? 4. "Dreams to sell in Slumbertown! Sure you'll buy these glowing dreams! Sells such gorgeous dreams as I! 5. "Here's a dream that Winter brought From his palaces of snow; Well his frozen fingers wrought All its wonders, long ago, When the stars shone, pure and bright, 6. On the streets of Slumbertown Ever sounds a silver bell, As the crier wanders down With his curious wares to sell, Crying softly, "Come and buy! LANGUAGE EXERCISES. I. Is the name "Slumbertown" (stanza 1) found on any map? When do we visit the place? In olden time the "crier," (1) or town-crier, was a man employed to go through the streets calling out notices of anything to take place: he drew attention by ringing a bell. What phrase (stanza 1) means such a great number? What word (6) means goods, articles for sale? II. Write the full forms of you'll (4); here's (5). Write the comparative degree of the adjectives sweet; dainty ; merry. In stanza 1 point out a simple interrogative sentence: with what punctuation-mark is it closed? Point out an exclamative sentence with what punctuation-mark is it closed? Point out all the quality-words joined with "dreams as "merrier dreams." III. How many stanzas in this poem? How many lines in each stanza? With what does the last word of the third line rhyme? The last word of the fourth? Of the sixth? Change to the prose order : Comes the crier with his bell. Such a world of them have I! Sure (surely) you'll buy these glowing dreams! 4. The Three Kingdoms. do-min'ions, territory over which | per-fôrmed', done, carried out. a king rules. king'dỏm, one of the great divisions or departments of nature. roy'al, pertaining to a king or 1. On one occasion Frederick William, king of Prussia, while traveling in his dominions passed through a pretty village where he was to remain an hour or two. 2. The villagers were delighted to see their king, and had made preparations to give him a fitting wel come. |