As a boy John Alden was an orphan who was taken and reared by his mother's brother. He lived with the Jones family in a small cottage in Harwick, England. His uncle was a Nonconformist, who wanted the right to worship God in his own way.

One cold night in 1607, the Nonconformists held a meeting at the Jones home. Young John Alden stood outside the cottage door, acting as guard. He shivered in his wet clothes as he peered into the darkness, but he knew that his watching was important. The King's men might come at any moment to break up the meeting.

Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, John heard the muffled clink of metal. He ran into the house and interrupted the service to give warning. The alerted Nonconformists slipped out the back door and went home. Then when the King's men searched the house, all the visitors had fled.

After a few years the Aldens moved to Holland, where people were allowed to worship God as they pleased. John and his uncle were picked up by a Dutch ship for the journey, but Mrs. Jones was detained by the King's men and had to go later.

While John was growing up, he became a cabin boy on an English ship. Later he returned to the country where he was born, and became a cooper. All the while he remained a Nonconformist, and never forgot his Puritan convictions.

In the meantime the Puritans became interested in establishing a new colony in America. They felt that forming a settlement in the New World would be better than living among people in a country already settled. In a new country they would be free to set up their own customs, and to live and to worship God as they pleased.

Finally arrangements were made for men, women, and children to sail to America on the historic "Mayflower." John Alden came along as cooper on the ship and became one of the most respected settlers in the New England colony. For more than fifty years, he lived in America and helped the colony to grow and to prosper.

Olive Burt, the author, has made an extensive study of John Alden and the period in which he lived. She has traveled personally in Europe and New England to gather information firsthand. In addition, she has provided a charming story, worded in her characteristic fascinating style.

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