And surely never could artist find better subject for his painting than the scene at Elder Brewster's fireside that night where upon the hearth Standish and Alden moulded a heap of silvery bullets, while Priscilla and Mary and Elizabeth Tilley twirled their spinning-wheels, or knitted the long woolen hose worn both by men and women in those days, looking demurely from time to time toward the hearth, where Alden occasionally dropped a little boiling lead into a skillet of hot water, and nodded to one or other of the girls as he drew out the emblems thus formed. At the back of the room gathered Brewster and Winslow and Carver and Bradford, discussing plans of defense in low and eager tones, while over all fell the broad and ruddy light of the floods of flame that rushed weltering up the chimney and out upon the night, carrying tidings to the wild woods and wilder men crouching in their depths that here were encamped a little band of invaders stronger than the primeval forest, stronger than the primeval man, stronger than Nature, stronger than Tradition. "Then it is well resolved," said Carver rising at last and coming toward the fire, "that to-morrow, so soon as we have committed ourselves to God's protection, and broken our fast, we will assemble with all the men of our company in the Common house, and take counsel for the safety and guidance of the colony. Does this movement suit you, Captain Standish?" "Ay, Governor. A council of war is ever fitting prelude to action," replied Standish laying down his bullet-mould and standing up. "And this is a council _coram populo_," said Winslow smiling. "A congress of the whole people." "Our first town-meeting, if indeed we be a town," said Bradford, answering Winslow's smile. "Alden, we name you sheriff _pro tempore_, to warn the brethren of this convention. All the men, mind you," said the governor quietly. "But none of the women, mark you!" whispered Priscilla to John as Carver turned aside. "Nay, who ever heard of women clamoring to be heard among men in council," suggested Mary Chilton, while Alden, with a side glance and smile at the merry maids, followed the governor a step and said,-- "Ay, sir, and I will moreover warn goodwife Billington to-night, that she may have the Common house redded betimes." "Well thought on, John," replied Carver smiling, for goodwife Billington's untidiness was but too notorious among her associates. "Thou 'lt have to lay a hand to 't thyself, John," murmured Priscilla as the young man returned to the fire to gather up the bullets and moulds, and if it must be confessed to seize the chance of one more word with Priscilla; "best bring up two or three buckets of sand from the beach, and when yon slattern hath done her best, spill you the sand over all, and so hide her shortcomings."