The Weymouth men, aware of their danger of suffering from hunger in Plymouth, decided to embark in the Swan for the fishing fleet on the coast, hoping there to obtain provisions to enable them to return to England. It was probably an acceptable decision to the Captain. Retaining simply corn enough for his homeward trip, he gave all the rest he had with him to them. A few decided to go to Plymouth, whom the Captain took with him. Having seen the Swan set sail, and fairly clear of Massachusetts Bay, the conquering hero spread his sail, and was soon greeted by his friends for his success in his chivalric adventure. Thus the godless colony at Weymouth came to an ignoble end. CHAPTER XI. _Domestic and Foreign Policy._ Letter from Rev. Mr. Robinson.--Defense of Captain Standish.--New Policy Introduced.--Great Destitution.--Day of Fasting and Prayer.--Answer to Prayer.--The First Thanksgiving.--The Colony at Weymouth.--Worthless Character of the Colonists.-- Neat Cattle from England.--Captain Standish Sent to England.-- Captain Wollaston and His Colony.--Heroism of Captain Standish.--Morton Vanquished.--Difficulty at Cape Ann.-- Increasing Emigration.--The Division of Property. When the Rev. Mr. Robinson, the Pilgrims’ former pastor in Holland, heard of these sanguinary scenes, he was greatly afflicted. Captain Standish was not a church member, and Mr. Robinson feared that he had acted with the impetuosity of the soldier, and not with the forbearance of the Christian. He wrote to the Pilgrims: “It is necessary to bear in mind the disposition of your captain, whom I love, who is of a warm temper. I had hoped that the Lord had sent him among you for good, if you used him right. He is a man humble and meek among you, and towards all in ordinary course. But I doubt whether there is not wanting that tenderness of the life of man, made after God’s image, which is meet. O how happy a thing had it been that you had converted some before you had killed any.” [Illustration: _KITCHEN OF STANDISH HOUSE._]