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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Young Pioneers, by John Theodore Mueller
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Three Young Pioneers
+       A Story of the Early Settlement of Our Country
+
+Author: John Theodore Mueller
+
+Release Date: February 24, 2009 [EBook #28173]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YOUNG PIONEERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jim Ludwig
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TITLE:     Three Young Pioneers
+
+BY AUTHOR: John Theodore Mueller
+
+SUBTITLE:  A Story of the Early Settlement of Our Country
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTERS
+    I. On the Atlantic
+   II. The New Home
+  III. A New Brother
+   IV. A Happy Surprise
+    V. A Wonderful Journey
+   VI. The Curse of Greed
+  VII. In the Throes of War
+ VIII. Pequot Indians
+   IX. The Remains of the Log House
+    X. Capture and Escape
+   XI. Back Again and Agnes
+  XII. Agnes' Story and Hartford
+ XIII. The Victory Over the Pequots
+  XIV. Christmas at the Trading Post
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON THE ATLANTIC
+
+
+"Come to me, children," said Mrs. Bradley invitingly; "I will be a mother
+to you, my darlings.  You shall not be a burden to the community, but I
+will take care of you myself."
+
+Having said this, she seized the little boy and his sister and pressed
+them to her heart, while tears trickled down her full, rosy cheeks.
+
+"Now you little sweethearts," she said soothingly, "you must not be
+afraid of me.  Let me wipe your tears, and then you will come with me to
+my quarters, and I will give you something very, very good to eat.  But
+by all means don't cry anymore."
+
+The children snuggled up to her and she took them by their hands, away
+from the crowd which had frightened them by their curious stares.  There
+was a sigh of relief when the woman had promised to take care of them,
+for all on shipboard were glad that the two orphans had found a
+protector.
+
+"God bless thee, Sister Clara," said the minister; "the Lord will reward
+thee, after thy goodness, both here and hereafter.  Nor will He ever
+forsake or leave thee with the extra burden imposed on thee."
+
+"The children are no burden," the woman replied; "but rather a godsend,
+for both my husband and I have longed for two little angels like these
+long ago.  How they will comfort our hearts in those weary hours of
+winter when the days are so short and the nights so long!  And, please
+you, sir, there will be enough for us to eat, for the good Lord has
+blessed us abundantly.  But I must not delay to attend to them; so
+kindly excuse me, I must go."
+
+The minister looked after her with grateful eyes, and then turned to
+the men and women standing around him.
+
+"A pious woman she is," he said; "a rich reward will be hers for her
+great kindness."
+
+Then the congregation dispersed, each family departing for the cabins
+and quarters where they lodged during the long, long voyage over the
+Atlantic.
+
+Traveling at that time was not as comfortable as it is now, for the
+conversation that we just related took place just three hundred years
+ago, to be exact in the year of our Lord 1630.
+
+Since that time many and great changes have taken place in the world,
+and should the people of that time rise from their graves, they would
+be amazed at the transformation that has taken place.
+
+At that time the voyage across the ocean was slow and dangerous; the
+ships were small and propelled by the wind, so that when the weather was
+contrary, it took the emigrants a long time to reach America.  Usually
+the food was poor, and quite often the water gave out, so that the
+people on shipboard suffered extremely.  At the time of our story there
+were many who wished to settle in America, and in consequence the
+vessels were usually crowded to the utmost of their capacity.  The
+result was that sickness spread among the passengers, and many did not
+reach the country where they hoped to find liberty of conscience.
+
+Among these was the mother of the two children, of whom we just spoke.
+The boy's name was Fred, and he was eight years old; the name of his
+sister was Agnes, and she was seven.
+
+They were strong and healthy children, but their frail mother could not
+stand the hardships of the voyage.  For six years she had lived in
+anxiety, for in 1624 her husband had left England to settle in the
+plymouth Colony, which the Pilgrims had established in 1620.  He was
+very sincere in his faith, and rather than stay in good old England and
+do what his conscience forbade him, he joined the sturdy emigrants who
+left their homes for the Lord's sake, as they were fully convinced.
+
+He arrived safely in Plymouth Colony and at first sent cheering letters
+to his wife.  But suddenly these ceased, and she worried day and night
+over her far-away husband.  She toiled diligently, so that her children
+did not suffer for lack of bread, but the worry broke her heart, and
+when she had saved a little sum of money, enough to pay for her voyage,
+she left England and joined the colonists who in ever larger numbers
+sought the land of freedom across the sea.
+
+She did not live to set her foot on that strange, unknown land, but the
+good Lord called her out of all trouble, and she was buried in the sea.
+
+Fred was old enough to realize what the death of his beloved mother
+meant, and Agnes, too, wept bitterly when they took away her mother and
+softly and slowly laid her away in the rolling waves.
+
+The little band of emigrants at first worried considerably about what
+to do with the children.  The majority of them were poor and blessed
+with large families so that they did not have any food to spare.  Hence
+their joy was great when Clara Bradley volunteered to adopt the children
+as her own.
+
+She herself was on the way to meet her husband, who two years before, in
+1628, had left England with the Puritans to settle in the new territory
+granted by the King to the Massachusetts Company.  The Puritans, as you
+know, differed from the Pilgrims in many respects; in consequence, they
+wished to establish their own settlements far enough away from the
+Plymouth Colony to avoid misunderstanding and trouble.
+
+As soon as Mr. Bradley had arrived in the new settlement he wrote a long
+letter to his wife in which he described the wonderful country in which
+he had found a new home.  But he begged her to wait for some time until
+he had built a house, cleared a small piece of land, and made other
+preparations to welcome his young and beautiful wife.
+
+In England Mr. Bradley had been a merchant, and his wife came from a
+rich family so that he did not care to burden her with the hardships of
+primitive pioneer life.  But she was a sensible woman, who was not
+afraid to work, and since she loved her husband dearly, she insisted
+that she would come and share with him the woe and weal of his life.
+
+When, therefore, in 1630, the Massachusetts Company gave the people in
+the Colony the right to govern themselves, and in consequence,
+thousands of Puritans were willing to go to America, she would stay in
+England no longer, but sold her property, collected her belongings, and
+sailed with the first band of emigrants, in whose midst was also John
+Winthrop, the new governor.
+
+It was by accident that she met the poor mother with her two little
+children, and when she heard her story, she pitied her very much.  She,
+too, made friends with the children, and later when their mother was
+confined to her cabin, she took them on deck and told them many
+interesting stories of land and sea, and of kings and queens, and of
+the Indians that roved in the forests of their new country.
+
+As she was blessed with sufficient funds, she had richly provided
+herself with special and delectable food so that the children received
+many a dainty morsel which they had never tasted in their lives.
+
+In this way the children very soon became attached to the strange, fine
+lady, who wore such rich clothes and had such winning ways; and while
+she could never take the place of their mother, they nevertheless were
+comforted when their mother grew so ill that they were not allowed to
+see her.
+
+When finally she died, they clung with cordial confidence to their new
+friend, who now taught them to call her mother.
+
+At night Mrs. Bradley would point them to the heavens, when the skies
+were clear, and told them of the blessedness of their mother who was
+now with the holy angels and beheld the glory of the Lord Jesus.
+
+"You see the beautiful stars up there?" she asked them.  "Oh, how many
+there are!  When I was young my mother told me that each was a window
+in heaven through which the angels looked to see whether all was well
+with God's people.  Every time a star twinkled, she said, an angel
+looked down, and it was the glory of his face that shone so brightly."
+
+"But is that true?"  Fred asked, for he was well instructed, as all
+Puritans were, in the Bible.  "Our teacher told us that the angels are
+ministering Spirits.  That is what the Bible says, and we must not add
+thereunto."  He said it almost sternly and quite reprovingly, for the
+Puritans were very religious and followed the Bible closely.  Mrs.
+Bradley had been raised in a rich home, and although her parents had
+joined the Puritans, they remained much more genial than were their
+sterner brethren.
+
+"Well, yes," the lady admitted; "perhaps you are right, but isn't it a
+good story, nevertheless?  I love to think of the stars as being so
+many messengers of God watching over me in this poor life.  But the
+angels are much nearer to us than the stars, and our Lord is still much
+nearer than they."
+
+"Is He here on the ocean, too?" asked little Agnes who was a bright
+girl and very mature for her age.  "It seems to me that we are here all,
+all alone with nothing but water around us, and it never ends, never!"
+
+"Yes," said the good woman, "Jesus is here, too, though we cannot see
+Him.  He is here at our services and prayer meetings, and He is in our
+hearts.  When we pray, He hears us, and when we sing, our songs rise up
+to His throne.  Every thought in our heart He knows.  So we need not
+fear, my dear children."
+
+Then she would kiss them tenderly, and give them a piece of ginger bread
+or some other dainty, so that they would forget all their sorrows and
+troubles.
+
+On board the ship her solicitude for the children was soon noticed by
+everybody, and even Governor Winthrop at times turned to Mrs. Bradley
+and spoke to her about the children.
+
+"You are doing very well as a mother, Mrs. Bradley," he teased her;
+"the children are very happy under your care, and they are not a whit
+sorrowful any more.  The Lord bless you for your kindness!  It is
+cheering to know that we have such pious folk in our company.  God
+bless us all that His name may be glorified."
+
+Mrs. Bradley blushed deeply when she perceived that her good work was
+thus graciously acknowledged.  She cared for no praise, and insisted
+that the children were only a blessing sent to her by the Lord to
+comfort her and assign to her a worthy task.
+
+As often as the emigrants gathered for worship, she was present with
+the children, and joined in the singing, for she had a fine, melodious
+voice. There was no organ on board the ship, neither did the colonists
+have musical instruments.  Yet they sang so wondrously that it was a
+pleasure to listen to them.  The hymns were learned by heart, not only
+by the older members, but also by the children, who joined their clear
+young voices with those of their fathers and mothers.  So also they
+learned the Bible, and while not all had copies of that holy Book, the
+majority of them knew whole portions by heart;  especially the psalms
+which they sang every day.  Furthermore, there was instruction in the
+Catechism each day, so that the children were well occupied, as were
+also their elders.  For when they were not worshiping God by song and
+prayer, they served Him by doing useful work, of which there was much
+to do.
+
+The colonists, knowing that they would settle in a primitive country,
+had brought plenty of wool, which the women spun into cloth from which
+to make garments.  At that time there were no readymade clothes.
+Everything had to be made at home.  This kept the women busy almost all
+day, and kept them from brooding over their trials and difficulties.
+
+After all, it was not easy for them to leave their homes and settle in a
+new, uncivilized country.  There, as they knew, the winters were much
+longer and harder; the woods were filled with Indians, who at times were
+hostile, and before the soil could be tilled, trees had to be cut down
+and stones had to be removed.  The future, therefore, was not promising.
+The life that awaited them, was not one of ease.  Yet they were resolved
+to carry out their plan and secure a home in inhospitable America, where
+at least they were not persecuted on account of their religious beliefs.
+
+But also the men were busy in various ways.  Some of them were skilful
+in weaving and spinning, and these helped the women in providing
+necessary garments.  Very often father and mother with their children
+labored at one piece of work, and there was much jollity, as the parents
+related many a good story to their children.  Others who were skilled in
+carpentering, made implements which could be used on the farm, in the
+woods, or in the homes.  Others again attended to the sick, of whom
+there were many at all times, while still others joined in instructing
+the young.
+
+In short, each emigrant was given some task to do, and the whole
+activity was superintended by Governor Winthrop, who led the men in
+wisely employing their time.
+
+He was genial and affable, and even the humblest could go and speak to
+him.  Though he was still a young man, yet he was like a father to every
+one.  In spite of storms and many unpleasant things, the voyage was not
+altogether dreary, and when the emigrants finally landed, they thanked
+God heartily for the innumerable blessings bestowed upon them.
+
+Yet they were glad when land was in sight and when the ship passed out
+of the region of tumultuous waves into the quiet and peaceful harbor of
+Massachusetts Bay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE NEW HOME
+
+
+Six years had swiftly passed by since that memorable landing, and the
+Massachusetts Company had in this time made fine progress.
+
+The band of emigrants, numbering about a thousand people, had settled in
+various places, some in Salem, but the majority in the new Colony of
+Boston, which Governor Winthrop made the capital.
+
+He was an excellent leader, and as soon as he had established his
+Colony, a steady stream of immigrants poured in from England, though
+there were troubles and hardships enough for the settlers.
+
+Mr. Bradley came over from Salem, and selling his little farm in the
+forest clearing, started a business in Boston, where he dealt with the
+Indians, of whom he bought rich and costly furs, which they exchanged
+for such articles as the white people had to offer.
+
+The Indians wanted cooking utensils, guns, and above all fire-water;
+guns were more effective than their bows and arrows when they were
+hunting wild animals, though later, when they became hostile to the
+white people, the governors did all in their power to prevent traders
+from furnishing them rifles and ammunition.
+
+They also forbade them to sell to the Indians the much-desired
+fire-water or whiskey, for this insidious poison worked great havoc
+among them.  So anxious were they to obtain it, that they sold their
+last fur blanket to the white trader, and when they got their whisky
+they drank to excess, and in their fits of drunkenness committed
+outrages both upon their own people and the whites.
+
+Mr. Bradley was a true Christian, and therefore refrained from selling
+to the Indians such things as might harm them.  They were like children,
+and would have given in exchange for worthless beads and trinkets the
+most expensive and valuable furs.  In this way, Mr. Bradley could have
+made much money, but his heart was not covetous, and he tried his best
+to teach the Indians what articles were really of use to them.
+
+So he prospered, but not as much as did the wicked traders who only
+considered their gain, and who without qualms of conscience sold to the
+Indians worthless and even harmful things.
+
+His home was near the fort, and it was substantially built of huge logs
+which he had felled in the forest.
+
+Since his wife was accustomed to luxuries and comforts, he tried to
+make his home as pleasant as possible, though she proved herself a good
+pioneer, who did not grumble when she did not have the many fine things
+to which she was used in England, and which could not be obtained in
+the Colony.
+
+"God has given me so much that is precious," she would say as her
+husband expressed his regrets that he could not do more for her.  "I
+have you, my dear husband, and God has sent us two obedient and pious
+children, though we have none of our own.  So while not giving us all we
+want, He has nevertheless filled our cup of happiness to overflowing."
+
+"And to me He has given a most godly and faithful wife," Mr. Bradley
+would then say as he caught her up into his arms.  "How shall I ever be
+able to thank Him enough for His tender mercies!"
+
+"And we have here so many friends and good neighbors," Mrs. Bradley
+would say; "the whole Colony is like one big family, though at times
+they do quarrel over religion and other things.  Yet in general they are
+truly Christian people who desire to do what is right."
+
+The husband assented.  "Yes, our Massachusetts Colony is the most
+prosperous of them all.  Every vessel brings hundreds of settlers, and
+the Indians live with us in peace and harmony.  May God continue His
+blessings upon us, for we are not worthy of them."
+
+Of course, there were also hard times when food was scarce, and when
+sickness and trouble afflicted many hearts.
+
+Yet God had given to the Colony a man of great piety and wisdom who in
+all matters of general and private administration conducted himself
+with prudence and vision.
+
+The Winthrops were great friends of the Bradleys, and often in the
+winter evenings they would sit together and discuss weighty matters
+pertaining to the welfare of the Colony.  In this way, our friends
+became intimately acquainted with that great and good man.  But every
+settler acknowledged his sterling virtues, and up to the time of his
+death in 1649, he was elected almost continually governor of the Colony.
+For contrary to the prevailing custom, the Massachusetts colonists could
+elect their own governors, as provided by their charter.
+
+Governor Winthrop dressed very plainly so that when you met him, you
+could not at all tell by his clothes that he was governor.  He was also
+a very humble man, and labored with his hands among his servants, since
+he was not ashamed of working.  This put zest into those that were
+inclined to be indolent and who shirked the many toils that were
+necessitated by the upbuilding of the Colony.
+
+In order to spread the principles of temperance Governor Winthrop drank
+little but water, and also in other respects he encouraged the habits of
+temperance and sobriety.  This was very necessary since peace and
+prosperity attend a people only if it is temperate in all things.
+
+When the Colony had little food, he liberally gave to the poor people of
+his own store.  Once his last bread was in the oven, yet when hungry
+people came to him, and begged for flour, he dispensed to them the small
+remainder.  Fortunately, that very day a shipload of provisions arrived,
+and for a time the distress was alleviated.
+
+Governor Winthrop also encouraged his fellow colonists in the Christian
+virtue of forgiveness.  One time a leading man of the Colony wrote him
+an angry letter, but this he sent back at once with the note appended:
+"I am not willing to keep such a provocation to ill-feeling by me."
+The offender, a man of great influence, replied immediately: "Your
+overcoming yourself, has overcome me."  He became one of his warmest
+friends and from that time diligently assisted him in his arduous tasks.
+
+The Governor was not desirous of vainglory, though according to the
+custom of the time, he might have demanded absolute submission and
+obedience.  But he was a man who rather desired the love of his
+fellowmen than their slavish fear, and in all things he guided them so,
+that they could well govern themselves.
+
+His greatest boast was that he had a "loving and dutiful son," who
+followed in his father's footsteps and was as pious and sincere in his
+religion as he was.  This son grew up to be a man of excellent virtues,
+and he became the first governor of the Colony of Connecticut.
+
+No wonder that under such a governor the Colony prospered and became
+stronger from year to year!  And what a blessing it was for our two
+little friends that they were brought up in such a Christian atmosphere
+and home!
+
+It is true, sometimes Fred longed to find out what became of his father,
+but in spite of all efforts made to ascertain anything about him,
+nothing was heard of him.
+
+In those early times many a settler disappeared, and no one ever learned
+what had become of him.  The woods were full of fierce animals, the
+Indians at times were hostile, and took revenge for real or imagined
+injuries which they suffered by killing innocent persons, for they
+regarded the Colonies as so many units, so that the wrongs inflicted by
+individuals were regarded as having been done by the whole community.
+
+In the long and dreary winters storms and tempests would rage, and many
+a settler lost his way in the forests, and perished miserably in the
+deep snow.  Then when spring came, forest streams would wash away the
+bodies, or wild animals would devour them.  In short, there were many
+ways to account for the disappearance of Fred's father, as the boy
+learned when he grew up.
+
+Yet he was not a boy to brood over matters that could not be changed,
+and the rich and varied life in the Colony gave him little time for
+dreaming idle dreams.
+
+In the mornings he rose early, and went with Mr. Bradley to his fine
+store, which was near the house.  There the Indians gathered, and
+brought their furs and other goods of barter and sale.
+
+Fred soon learned to trust the Indians and to like them, and in a short
+time he was able to attend to many a sale himself.  He knew the value
+of furs, and the prices for all articles in his foster-father's store.
+
+Though the language of the Indians was difficult for the white people to
+learn, the bright lad made rapid progress in it, especially as he played
+with the Indian children, who did not know a word of English.
+
+This knowledge helped him considerably in his dealings with the Indians
+who trusted the white people the more as they used their language.
+
+Agnes in the meanwhile stayed in the house with Mrs. Bradley, helping
+her in the many duties which the housewife of that time had to perform.
+
+Every colonist raised some corn and garden vegetables, and such things
+as contributed to the food supply of the community; for the food
+question was of great importance to them.
+
+The corn they planted after Indian fashion, placing two fish into the
+holes into which the kernels were dropped.  The Indians connected with
+this act some superstitious rite, but the white people knew that the
+fish were necessary to fertilize the sterile soil.  Soon they used
+improved methods, and their harvests were much greater than those of the
+Indians.
+
+In the course of time Agnes learned from Mrs. Bradley every art of
+managing a home.  She could sew garments, make moccasins, heal bruises
+and wounds, cook the various dishes which the Puritans liked, and in
+short, attend to the many tasks of managing a home.
+
+Mrs. Bradley never had occasion to be sorry for having adopted the
+children, and often she would thank God for them as she considered that
+she had none of her own.  How lonely the large house of the trader
+would have been had not Fred and Agnes brought life into it!
+
+But their life was not all work.
+
+Their foster parents were very conscientious in giving them a good
+education, and for this purpose they hired Master Henry, a young
+theologian who had studied in England, and now continued his studies
+privately under the instruction of the learned Reverend John Davenport.
+
+In the meanwhile he earned a few shillings by instructing children,
+visiting the sick, and doing other useful things for the busy minister,
+whose tasks increased as the Colony became larger from year to year.
+
+Master Henry's teaching was not the kind which was practiced by
+pedagogues of little learning and experience, who ruled with the rod
+and inculcated their lessons by blows and punishments.
+
+Fred and his sister liked to learn, and their lessons were always
+prepared thoroughly the evening before.
+
+So when shortly after midday the young minister would come to Mr.
+Bradley's home, he was welcomed by the children with great joy.
+
+Mrs. Bradley always kept a bowl of rich, hot soup for him, or some
+dainty which he liked.  But Master Henry was a man of frugal habits, and
+while he enjoyed his meal, he partook of the food very sparingly.
+
+The instruction would continue till four o'clock, the children were
+given a vacation during which they might divert themselves.
+
+These were the golden hours of unqualified joy when they amused
+themselves to their heart's delight.  As Mr. Bradley was becoming
+wealthy, he could allow them many pleasures which poor parents had to
+deny their children.
+
+As soon as they were old enough, he bought them two small horses which
+they could use very well, as the means of transportation were very
+primitive.  So they rode out into the forests and made friends with the
+Indians, or they visited the other Colonies which were not far away.
+To the north there was the Salem Colony, and to the south, the old
+Colony of Plymouth, which was the mother colony of all the English
+settlements.  On these trips they not only made many friends, but also
+became acquainted with the country and learned to lose all fear of white
+men and Indians.
+
+One summer Fred, with the help of young Indian friends, made a boat,
+and he and Agnes rowed up the rivers and streams of which there were
+many.
+
+At first their only weapons were bows and arrows and home-made spears
+which they could use with the skill of the Indians.  However, when they
+became older, Mr. Bradley allowed them small firearms for their hunting
+expeditions.
+
+Thus Fred and Agnes spent a very happy life in the Boston Colony, and
+they grew up to be strong and healthy, with a wisdom not gotten out of
+books merely, but which their varied experience taught them.
+
+They could swim, skate, cover long distances over the snow by means of
+snow-shoes, shoot, ride horseback, and do almost all the things which
+the pioneers did.
+
+Like all the Puritans they were well versed in the Bible, and they knew
+many hymns by heart, so that when they joined the church, they did this
+of their own accord and with firm convictions.
+
+Thus six years passed by with rapidity, and before he realized it, Fred
+was fourteen years old, while Agnes was thirteen.
+
+Their life had been very happy, and in mind and body they had matured
+so, that they appeared to be much older than they really were.  Mr.
+Bradley could trust Fred with almost any task that he would assign to
+a man, while Agnes was a regular little tom boy, who was skilled not
+only in the duties of a good young lady, but also in those of young men.
+Whether she was in the house, or outside, she could always be depended
+upon.
+
+There was not a better rider in the whole community than she, and she
+handled every sort of weapon with great skill.
+
+Life in the Colony was pleasant indeed!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A NEW BROTHER
+
+
+One evening when Mr. Bradley and his happy family were gathered around
+the fire-side, he seemed to be in a very meditative mood.  The family
+had just finished its evening devotion and the open Bible lay upon the
+huge table which stood near the hearth.
+
+"Why are you musing so intently?"  Mrs. Bradley asked.  "It seems your
+forehead is more wrinkled with furrows than ever, and you are altogether
+too young a man to look so worried."  This she said with a smile, and as
+she said it, she lovingly stroked his cheeks.
+
+"I am not worrying, my dear," he replied, "but only thinking, and I
+wonder whether that which I think, will please you."
+
+"What pleases you," Mrs. Bradley said, "always pleases me.  We are two
+of a kind, and I am sure I am going to agree to what you say.  Pray,
+now tell me what troubles you."
+
+"The matter pertains to another little youngster in our home," he
+replied; "though the youngster is not so very young any more.  He is a
+year older than Fred, and I think, he would prove a good companion to
+him."
+
+Fred listened with much interest, and also Agnes laid aside her book.
+
+"What about the young lad?"  Mrs. Bradley asked.  "Is he the son of a
+poor family in the Colony?"
+
+"His case is worse," the husband replied.  "Yesterday when the good
+ship 'Hope' came into port, the authorities found a stranger in the band of
+immigrants.  He was a stowaway, though some of the people discovered him
+during the voyage and supported him with food.  Otherwise the poor fellow
+would have starved."
+
+"And what are they going to do with the lad?"  Mrs. Bradley inquired.
+
+"That is the trouble," her husband said.  "According to the law the boy
+must be returned to England.  But he has begged the authorities not to
+send him back.  He comes from a poor family, and his father is dead.  In
+England there are no opportunities for him; So he decided to go to
+America.  And now he is here."
+
+"And you decided to take him into your home!" the woman said smilingly.
+"That looks just like you."
+
+"Well," the man answered, looking at Fred and Agnes, "you were lucky to
+find these, so I must make another contribution."
+
+"Nor do I object," consented the woman.  "The Lord has blessed us
+abundantly with all good things, and we can surely give him a good
+home.  Only, I would ask, is he worthy of it?"
+
+"That we must see," Mr. Bradley said; "but he seems to be a good pious
+boy, and he knows his Catechism well.  I hardly blame him for leaving
+England."
+
+"Then the matter is settled," Mrs. Bradley said; "but where is the boy
+now?"
+
+"Governor Winthrop has provisionally taken him into his home," the man
+said; "though he cannot very well adopt the lad.  But when he spoke to
+me about it, I promised to ask you, and I have guaranteed the ship
+company to pay his fare."
+
+"What a fine Samaritan you are!" Mrs. Bradley said, as she kissed him.
+"Surely, the Lord will bless you for it, and we shall be the richer for
+having taken him in."
+
+Fred who had listened eagerly, could no longer restrain himself.
+Stepping up to his foster-father he asked: "And what is the boy's name?"
+
+"His name is Matthew Bunyan," Mrs. Bradley said; "but what about you,
+Fred?  Do you want to have the new brother?  And will you treat him
+kindly?"
+
+"That I will," Fred responded gladly.  "I have always wished for a
+brother, who could work and play with me.  And Matthew Bunyon is such a
+fine name!  When can I see him?"
+
+"You may this very evening, if you care to go to the Governor's house,"
+said the kind father.
+
+"Oh, then, let us go, Agnes," Fred said.  "It will do him a world of
+good to let him know that he has a sister and a brother."
+
+"And could he not come over this very evening?"  Mrs. Bradley asked.
+"I surely would like to see him.  Fred's bed is large enough for two to
+sleep in."
+
+"Yes, bring him with you, Fred," Mr. Bradley said.  "Only you must wait
+until I have written a note to Governor Winthrop, telling him of our
+resolution."
+
+As Mr. Bradley was a merchant, the writing materials were always kept
+ready for use, and in a few moments the note was finished.
+
+While the man was penning the note, Fred and Agnes dressed themselves
+warmly in their furs, for while March had come, the weather was still
+cold, and heavy snow had fallen.  At that time the winters in New
+England were much severer than they are now.
+
+So they strapped on their snow-shoes, and Fred took down his gun from
+the wall.  The evening was quiet, and on the way he might see some game.
+In winter the deer and elk often stole into the village in search of
+food, and sometimes the settlers could shoot them from their open
+windows.
+
+In a few moments the children were off, having kissed their parents
+good-by.  Then they stepped out into the clear, cold night, where they
+at once disappeared in the woods.
+
+"How beautiful it is tonight," Agnes said as she laughingly passed her
+brother.  "It makes me feel gay.  I think I can beat you to the
+Governor's house."
+
+"Stay behind me, Agnes," Fred warned her; "there might be a deer running
+out from behind the brush that I might shoot."
+
+"Do not shoot on such a beautiful night," the girl pleaded; "everything
+is so peaceful, and the poor animals ought to enjoy their life, too, and
+not always be in danger of being killed by men, beasts, and Indians."
+
+"You are a little Samaritan," Fred laughed, "and a poet, too; well, if
+I don't see anything, I won't shoot."
+
+But nothing came in sight, and so within half an hour the children were
+rapping at the door of the Governor's home.  Here they were kindly,
+received by the Governor and his wife, who urged them at once to lay
+off their wraps and make themselves at home.
+
+"We do not care to stay this evening, kind sir," Fred said; "for at
+home father and mother are waiting for Matthew."
+
+He handed the Governor the note, which he took and read.
+
+"I see," he said; "so your father has declared his willingness to adopt
+Matthew.  That is very fine of him.  I shall see him tomorrow and draw
+up the papers."
+
+"Where is Matthew now?"  Agnes asked a little impatiently.
+
+"He is at the home of the Reverend Mr. Davenport," Mr. Winthrop said;
+"the good parson wanted to examine him with respect to his religious
+opinions.  But I trow they will be back soon, for they left quite a
+time ago."
+
+Fortunately the children did not have to wait long for Matthew, who
+with the Governor's son John had gone to the pastor's manse.  In the
+meanwhile Mrs. Winthrop regaled them with baked apples and sweet cider.
+
+"Well, Father," John said, as he came in, "Matthew has passed the test,
+and the parson has found him efficient in faith and morals."
+
+"Good, my son," Governor Winthrop replied; "it pleases me to hear that.
+Come forward, Matthew, for I have good news for you."
+
+Fred and Agnes looked with deep interest at the boy.  He was somewhat
+taller than Fred, but did not seem to be as strong as he.  Evidently the
+lad had starved a good deal on the voyage, for he looked haggard and
+wan.  Also he was dressed quite poorly.  The visit to the minister had,
+no doubt, been a great strain on him.  He was timid and bashful, and as
+the Governor addressed him, his cheeks became scarlet.
+
+"Come on, my son," Governor Winthrop said, "and be not afraid.  We shall
+not send you back, for you will have a good home with the Bradleys.  God
+has provided for you a dwelling place."
+
+Fred liked his new brother right away, for his blue eyes had an honest
+and straight forward look.
+
+"You will go with us right now to your new home" he told him after he
+had shaken hands with him.  "Here is my sister Agnes," he added.
+
+Agnes was a bit timid for a moment, but her sweet good nature asserted
+itself.
+
+"I believe we must carry you," she said smilingly, "since you have no
+snow-shoes.  Where we live is a good ways off, and we must wade through
+heavy snow."
+
+"I cannot walk on snow-shoes," Matthew said bashfully, "but I wilt try
+my best to follow you."
+
+"The snow is frozen pretty hard," Fred mused, "and I do not think you
+will break through.  So let us go."
+
+With a word of caution the Governor sent them on their way, and soon
+they were lost from view in the dark woods.
+
+The children traveled slowly in order that their young friend might
+follow them with ease.  He seemed to be very tired, and no wonder, for
+the trip across the ocean and the rude experiences after landing on the
+strange shore had worn him out.  Nevertheless, he walked bravely
+through the deep snow, happy to be in company of children so kind and
+good.
+
+But he was very glad when finally the lights of Mr. Bradley's large log
+house greeted them and the weary trip was over.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Bradley greeted the new-corner warmly, and soon he had lost
+his fear, and felt quite at home.
+
+After a cup of refreshing tea he related his story, Which explained why
+he had left England and come to America.
+
+"You see," he said, "my father died, and it was hard for me to secure
+work, so that I was only a burden to my dear mother, who had all she,
+could do to feed the other children who are smaller than I.  A friend of
+my father's had promised to advance the fare, but when my parent died,
+he withdrew the offer.  My mother was willing that I should go.  As soon
+as I have earned enough money, I shall send it to England and have her
+come here."
+
+"That is a fine boy," Mrs. Bradley encouraged him; "but in the meanwhile
+you will stay with us and shall be like a son to us."
+
+"But by all means write to your mother in England," Mr. Bradley said,
+and the lad at once promised to do so, being happy to be able to report
+so wondrous an outcome of the venture.
+
+However, the children were not allowed much time for conversation, for
+by this time it had become quite late, and they had to repair to bed.
+So they bade their elders good-night, and hurried off to their room.
+
+Fred was glad when the new-comer after undressing and jumping into bed,
+folded his hands and prayed his evening prayer.
+
+"I am pleased that you do this," he said after he had finished his own
+prayer; "now I can trust you the more and feel much more cordial toward
+you."
+
+"Father always insisted that we pray and read the Bible," Matthew
+responded, "and when one has passed through the many experiences which
+were crowded of late into my life, he needs no prompting.  There is so
+much comfort in it."
+
+Soon the boys were fast asleep, each anxious to know what the next day
+would bring to them.  Only Agnes did not at once fall asleep.  It was
+Mrs. Bradley's custom to accompany her to her sleeping chamber and to
+pray with her and cover her with the warm bed clothes.  It was usually
+at this time that the girl voiced whatever wish she had to communicate.
+
+So when Mrs. Bradley kissed her good-night, she clasped her head and
+whispered into her ear: "Will you not also get a little baby sister for
+me, so that I can play with her?"
+
+Mrs. Bradley smiled as she answered, "If the good Lord will send
+another little orphan, we shall surely adopt her."
+
+Then with a happy smile on her face the girl fell asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A HAPPY SURPRISE
+
+
+Events moved swiftly along in the Colony, and in a short time two
+fleeting months had passed.  June came with sunshine, breaking buds,
+rich, green grass, and general joy among the colonists.
+
+After the long winter they set out with grateful hearts to clear more
+land and plant more corn.  The Colony was increasing from month to
+month and required more ample supplies with which to feed the many
+hungry mouths.
+
+Almost every week a ship from England would come in with new immigrants,
+for the Colony enjoyed an enviable reputation, and in England the
+persecution of Puritans and Separatists continued.  Between 1630 and
+1640 more than twenty thousand people came to the Massachusetts Colony,
+as the historians of our country tell us.
+
+The vessels brought supplies and immigrants and took back with them
+such raw products as the Colony could produce.  The furs which the
+traders obtained from the Indians and their own trappers were very
+valuable, and brought high prices in old England.
+
+But England needed also timber, and this was found abundantly in the
+new country where thousands of giant trees covered the land.
+
+Mr. Bradley was happy that he had gained another helper for his store.
+In fact, Matthew proved himself an excellent clerk in the trading post.
+He was not forward, but at the same time possessed courage enough to
+mingle undauntedly with the Indians, who liked the "pale face" very
+much because of his frankness and honesty.
+
+The boy had received a good education, and whatever he knew, he turned
+to good use, so that Mr. Bradley more than once trusted him with
+important negotiations.
+
+"God has given me a fine helper," he said one evening to his wife, as
+they were closing the store.  "Fred and Matthew are good business men,
+and will in course of time be of invaluable service to me."
+
+"As soon as possible we must write to his mother and ask her to come
+over to America," Mrs. Bradley suggested.  "I can use her in the house,
+since my work is increasing."
+
+To this her husband assented; yet this promise was never carried out,
+for in the course of the summer Matthew received the news that she had
+found a trustworthy and loving husband, who after their marriage
+insisted that they stay in England and seek their fortune there.  He was
+a small merchant who was doing well in business, so that Matthew's
+mother had no reason to complain.
+
+"And now you will return to England," Fred said sadly after he had read
+the letter to the family.  "I might just as well bid you good-by right
+now."
+
+"Never," Matthew answered; "this is my country and shall remain my
+country.  Here God has given me work to do and dear friends with whom I
+am happy.  So why should I return?"
+
+All rejoiced in Matthew's resolution, and they promised to make life as
+pleasant for him as possible.
+
+Certainly to him life was not a drudgery.  Mr. Bradley wisely allowed
+the children sufficient time for recreation, especially in summer when
+the fur trade was not active.
+
+He was anxious that the lads should become thoroughly acquainted with
+the country and its inhabitants, as his business depended much on the
+good will of the white men and the Indians.
+
+So he sent them far into the interior with little gifts and trinkets
+which the boys were to give to the Indians, in order that they might
+establish trade connections with the "House of Bradley."
+
+These trips were very pleasant to the boys, and as they sometimes took
+Agnes with them, they formed a merry party, for the girl was full of
+fun and laughter, and though the boys were much taller than she, she
+could endure much more fatigue than they.
+
+How the Indians adored her!
+
+When the three pilgrims of the woods came to the Indian villages, Fred,
+who was thoroughly versed in the language and customs of the red men,
+would seek out the chief and broach his mission to him.
+
+The chief called together his men and a council was held, in which every
+one smoked the peace pipe, including Fred and Matthew, who had to submit
+to this ordeal for business reasons.
+
+Then the matter of trading with the "House of Bradley" was discussed,
+and Fred told them what prices his great white father, who dwelled in
+the large wigwam by the sea, paid for furs, much more than the French
+and other traders.  This he could say with truth, for Mr. Bradley indeed
+was thoroughly honest in his business and never deceived the guileless
+Indians.
+
+After the promise was made, that they would turn their furs over to the
+"House of Bradley," the boys would open their treasures and give to
+each man some gift which he liked.  All of them liked tobacco, though
+many asked for fire-water, which, however, Fred never offered them.
+Some, however, preferred cups and kettles which Fred supplied as long
+as the store lasted.  Usually, however, these were reserved for the
+mighty men among the Indians, the chiefs and leaders, since only a
+limited supply of them could be carried on horseback.
+
+In the meanwhile Agnes would approach the wigwams of the women, and by
+her winsome smiles, her hearty laughter and gayety soon won their
+confidence.  She spoke the language of the Indians fluently, and sang
+many of the Puritan hymns in their tongue, so that they were "much
+entertained," as the old chronicle says.
+
+On her trips she carried her lute with her, and on this she played so
+well that not only the women, but also the men were attracted to her
+entertainment.  Then she would sit down in their midst, and tell them
+interesting stories of the white men and women, and their kings and
+queens, and their gold and silver, and big wigwams, and when they had
+become thoroughly interested, she told them of their religion, and of
+God's Son who had become man to save sinners.
+
+The Indians loved to hear stories, and never tired of them, especially
+when Agnes told them about the miracles of Jesus, how He had healed the
+sick and fed the hungry multitudes with bread.
+
+It had taken the girl a long time until she had learned how to tell
+these stories to the Indians.  In general, the Puritans did not trouble
+themselves about the salvation of the Indians; but in 1631 a young
+minister had come from England, who for sometime had stayed with the
+Bradley's in Boston, Where Agnes became well acquainted with him.
+
+His name was John Eliot, and from the very start this pious minister
+was interested in the spiritual welfare of the Indians.
+
+"They have immortal souls, too," he said to Mr. Bradley, "and we must
+tell them of the salvation which God has prepared for all men."
+
+Mr. Bradley was not much interested in the project, though he was a true
+Christian; but like other Puritans he never believed that the Indians
+could be converted to Christianity.
+
+Agnes, however, listened to the minister with keen interest, and often
+she would converse with him on this matter.
+
+At first, John Eliot had no congregation, nor did he know the language
+of the Indians.  But in 1632 he was elected pastor of Christ Church, in
+Roxbury, Massachusetts.
+
+He at once suggested to his congregation to preach also to the Indians,
+but at first the men would not permit him to do this blessed work.  But
+he secretly studied the language of the Indians, and at last in 1646, he
+engaged in mission work among them "amid much opposition and vexation,"
+as we are told by the historians.
+
+At the time when Agnes with Fred and Matthew made their summer trips in
+the Indian country.  Pastor Eliot was not yet preaching to them; but the
+girl had learned from him how to tell the story of Christ in simple
+words which all could understand.
+
+Agnes thus became the first missionary among the Mohican Indians in
+Massachusetts.  Later, John Eliot became famous as the "Apostle of the
+Indians", for besides preaching to them, he translated into their
+language the Bible and many other fine books.
+
+Usually the children spent a week on their trip but at times when they
+had drifted far away from the Colony, they stayed away for two and even
+three weeks.  Their foster-parents, however, never worried about them,
+for they knew that Fred was a brave leader, and that Agnes would not
+lose her way even in the densest forest.
+
+By this time all three could handle such weapons as were used at that
+time, and though the guns were heavy and clumsy, none of them missed the
+object at which they aimed.  So by the grace of God they always returned
+safe, and then they had many interesting stories to tell.
+
+One evening as they had just related their tale of adventure, Mr.
+Bradley said, "I must secure some trustworthy person who can attend to
+my business when I am away.  So far, I have not cared to entrust my
+store to any one here, but I must find some one, for I, too, must
+venture out to establish more trading posts.  The furs are not coming in
+as fast as they should; there are too many traders elsewhere."
+
+Just then some one rapped at the door, and when Fred opened he saw a
+huge man standing in front of him.
+
+"Good evening," said the stranger somewhat timidly; "does Mr. Bradley
+dwell here?  I was directed to this house."
+
+No sooner had Mr. Bradley heard the man's voice, when he jumped from the
+chair and hastened to the door.
+
+"Do my ears deceive me?" he cried.  "Can it be you, John Rawlins?"
+
+"Well, I declare," the man answered; "really, it _is_ you, John
+Bradley!"
+
+The two men shook hands warmly, and then the stranger was invited in.
+
+"Where do you come from?" asked Mrs. Bradley after she had welcomed the
+man to the home.  "You are an unexpected visitor, forsooth!"
+
+"From the good ship 'Hope,' which is in the harbor," the man explained.
+"I could not wait till tomorrow, and so I prevailed upon the captain set
+me ashore.  I just had to see my old mate this evening."
+
+"So the good ship 'Hope' arrived?"  Mr. Brad asked.  "That is fine, for
+the colonists are eagerly waiting for supplies; and I know there is a
+shipment for me."
+
+"Yes, so the captain tells me," the stranger said and he at once began
+to relate why he had come America.
+
+This he did upon the urgent request of Mr. Bradley who was much
+surprised at so unexpected a visit.
+
+"Well, it was this way," the stranger began, after he had lighted his
+pipe and taken a few draughts of the tea which Mrs. Bradley set before
+him.  "In England they are all talking about the wonderful success of
+the Colony, and there are thousands of people ready to come over, if
+only they could pay their fare."
+
+"I hope they do not come over without funds" Mr. Bradley said, "for we
+have difficulties of our own;  and I hope, too, that they will not send
+us worthless and lazy fellows.  We cannot use them here."
+
+"I understand, I understand," John Rawlins said; "well, when you sold
+the business and came over here, Mrs. Bradley, I stayed over in the old,
+country, and this, as you know, for Mrs. Rawlins sake, who was an
+invalid.  But the days of her earthly pilgrimage are over, and she rests
+under the flowers of old England.  What should I do, a widower and a
+lonely man?  So I bethought myself of you, and lo, here I am seeking
+work, as in the days of yore."
+
+"And you are exceedingly welcome," Mr. Bradley said warmly; "your
+faithful services are worth gold to me.  If you seek employment, you
+are hired at your own price this very evening."
+
+"Praise God from whom all blessings flow," Mr. Rawlins replied ardently,
+for he was a devout Christian.  "I had never expected such a welcome."
+
+"I just talked about help when you rapped at the door," Mr. Bradley
+explained, "telling the boys that I must venture out on expeditions
+myself in search of trade.  With an old servant like you in the store,
+I shall now carry out my plan."
+
+We must explain to our readers that while John Bradley was still in
+England, John Rawlins was his most trustworthy clerk and helper.  He
+was now an old man, who had lived more than three score years, yet he
+was hale and hearty, and as enterprising as when he had served Mr.
+Bradley in England.
+
+It was only after he had related his tale that Mr. Rawlins took notice
+of the children.
+
+"What fine children you have, Mrs. Bradley," he said, "and how tall for
+their age!  Why you never had any children when you left old England!"
+He looked at her with surprise.
+
+"These are children which God sent us," the Woman explained, telling
+the story in words that would not offend the children.
+
+"How wonderful!" the man exclaimed when he had heard the tale.  "If such
+children like these grow here in the woods, I'll adopt a whole dozen.
+Come, now, tell me your names."
+
+In a short time the children had become acquainted with the queer, old
+man who was so peculiar and yet so good.
+
+"We are going to be playmates, my lads," said after a while, "and I will
+teach you some tricks from old England."
+
+"And you, young lady," he continued, "I suppose you are a real miss, not
+afraid of Indians and lions and such like."
+
+"Please, sir," Agnes replied, "there are no lions in the Colony, but if
+there were they would soon fall dead before my trusty musket."
+
+With mock dignity she took down the heavy musket and aiming it at the
+man, said, "And, sir, here is how the women of America defend their
+honor.  Hold on, sir, or you will be a dead man."  They all laughed, but
+Mrs. Bradley urged Agnes to put away the gun, which was a fine specimen
+that Mr. Bradley had especially imported from England for the girl.
+
+"You are going to teach me a trick or two," the old man said laughing
+boisterously.  "I surely must guard my tongue, or the days of my earthly
+pilgrimage will be cut short."
+
+It was a lovely evening, and never for a long time was there so much
+jollity In the house.  However, when finally Mr. Bradley took down the
+large family Bible to read the evening chapter, all were serious and
+listened to the Word of God with devotion.
+
+The service was closed with a hymn of praise, which Agnes accompanied on
+her lute.
+
+Tears crept over the rough cheeks of the old man, and as he bade his
+friends good-night, he said, "Never was the heart of John Rawlins so
+happy as tonight.  The Lord has verily blessed my pilgrimage to America,
+nor is it altogether a rough country, but one where there is much piety
+and delight."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A WONDERFUL JOURNEY
+
+
+Mr. Bradley was glad that he had his old reliable clerk with him in
+America, for he was anxious to leave the colony, and establish trading
+posts along the Connecticut River, west of the Massachusetts Colony.
+
+Already the year before, in the summer of 1685, many settlers had left
+the Boston Colony and gone west through the unbroken wilderness to the
+Connecticut River.  They were courageous men and women, for the journey
+was very tedious and dangerous, and by no means inviting.
+
+Yet they were dissatisfied with many things in the Colony, especially
+with the farms allotted to them, for they were sterile and did not
+produce rich crops.
+
+Every one had the pioneer spirit in full measure; for the men who had
+come from England, braving many dangers, would not linger helplessly in
+a place where they did not find what they wanted.
+
+The country was immensely large, and opportunities welcomed them
+everywhere.  The first adventurers, who blazed the trail, reported rich
+and fertile lands along the Connecticut River, with fine opportunities
+for fishing and trading; for this river, which in the North divides the
+two states of Vermont and New Hampshire, flows through Massachusetts and
+Connecticut, where it pours rich deposits of silt into the ocean.
+
+For the early settlers the rivers were means of travel and traffic, and
+we need not be surprised that so many of the Boston Colony left their
+homes and sought out this new country.
+
+In the course of time three settlements were made, the towns of Windsor,
+Whethersfield, and Hartford.  The last is now a flourishing city and the
+capital of the state of Connecticut.
+
+As soon as John Rawlins had acquainted himself with the intricacies of
+Mr. Bradley's business, and knew all the prices of the various articles,
+and could converse somewhat in the language of the Indians, Mr. Bradley
+prepared for the expedition.
+
+At first he wanted to go alone, but after a while he decided to take
+Fred with him, who was well acquainted with the interior of the country.
+Agnes begged so long, until she, too, was permitted to go.  Then Matthew
+hung his head and looked sorrowful, because he had to remain behind.
+So he, too, was included.  Finally Mrs. Bradley insisted on going also,
+and so, what was originally planned as a little trip of one, became, in
+the words of John Rawlins, a "huge earthly pilgrimage."
+
+After all, however, Mr. Bradley would not have permitted the family to
+go, had the expedition been connected with serious dangers, or had the
+fur season been on.  But as it was, the season was dull, and John
+Rawlins did not have many customers.
+
+He was one of the singular men of whom it is said that to know them is
+to love them.  His age gave him a certain dignity, and his height made
+him tower above the heads of all ordinary persons.  The Indians called
+him the "tall oak," a name of which he was quite proud.  He was kind to
+the poor and humble but a terror to the bully, who tried to bluff him.
+Every one who came to the store was treated with cordiality and
+fairness, and Mr. Bradley knew that as long as John Rawlins was in
+charge of the business, the management was in safe hands.
+
+So on one bright morning in August the party started out on the
+expedition.  Two large, faithful dogs ran ahead, barking and jumping
+with glee.  Then came Fred and Matthew who knew the trail somewhat,
+though for safety's sake they had secured a reliable Indian guide, who
+walked alongside the boys.  Next came Agnes and Mrs. Bradley, while Mr.
+Bradley followed in the rear, superintending the five pack horses, which
+were in charge of three trustworthy Indian servants.  All the white men
+were armed, and even Agnes carried her gun at the side of the saddle.
+
+Besides the muskets they had also bows and arrows, which were useful for
+shooting birds and light game of which the forests were full.  On these
+they depended for their provisions, for the large amount of wares which
+Mr. Bradley carried with him, prevented them from loading on the pack
+horses rich supplies of food.  Nor was this necessary, for on the way
+they passed through many Indian villages, and in these they could
+purchase corn meal, which besides meat was the staple food of the
+pioneers when away from home.
+
+The distance to Hartford, for which the expedition was bound, was about
+one hundred and fifty miles, which Mr. Bradley hoped to cover within a
+week's time.  This made the journey quite comfortable, though at times
+it was arduous enough, since often the trail was very narrow, and many
+streams and rivers had to be crossed.
+
+Toward evening the expedition would halt.  The Indian guides would
+unload the pack horses, and start a huge fire.  Fred and Matthew then
+erected the tent for the ladies, while they laid around it rich fur
+blankets on which the men slept.  The Indians camped near by, one of
+them watching over the horses which grazed on the tender grass, with
+their front feet tied so that they could not roam away too far.
+
+While the men were busy preparing the camp, the women cooked the food
+in a large kettle which hung over the fire.  This usually contained a
+turkey or partridges shot by one of the men on the way.  In addition,
+there were primitive spits on which were broiled huge pieces of meat,
+while in the hot ashes Mrs. Bradley skillfully baked small loaves of
+delicious corn bread.  In a smaller kettle Agnes cooked the tea, of
+which the pioneers were very fond, and which was the only beverage the
+white people drank while on the journey.  For while the Indians drank
+freely of the streams, the pioneers were careful to refrain from it, as
+it might prove a cause of sickness, which would delay the trip.
+
+After the meal was finished, Mr. Bradley read from the Bible, which was
+the constant companion of the Puritans, and after that the whole
+company joined in singing a hymn or two.
+
+The service was simple, but sublime, and the Indians listened with
+delight to the pious worshipers.
+
+Fred and Agnes, who spoke the Mohican language as fluently as their
+mother tongue, would then explain to the Indians the contents of the
+chapter read, in their native language, and sometimes Agnes would sing
+one of the fine songs which she had cleverly translated into their
+language.
+
+Finally, when the service was over, the ladies crept into their tent,
+the men stretched out on the warm blankets, and with the exception of
+the Indian guard and Fred or Matthew, who watched over the camp, all
+were soon fast asleep.
+
+Through the thick foliage the stars gleamed down upon the quiet world,
+and Fred, looking up to the heavens, was absorbed in deep thought as he
+listened to the breezes that rocked the crowns of the trees, or to the
+strange, weird noises that came from out of the forest in which beasts
+of prey were looking for their food.  On the other side of the camp the
+Indian servant watched over the horses, while the Indian guide, ever
+wary and cautious, would at times raise his head as he listened to
+strange sounds like the hooting of the owls, or the weary wail of the
+whippoorwill.
+
+And over all rested that strange peace of God which is found in the
+forest or on the prairie, where God is near and wicked men are far away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE CURSE OF GREED
+
+
+In Hartford, where the expedition arrived safe and well after a week of
+steadfast traveling, Mr. Bradley encountered much that surprised him.
+Sometimes we judge the world by our own standards, thinking that
+everybody moves as rapidly or slowly as we ourselves; suddenly we are
+brought face to face with the real situation, and we find ourselves
+outwitted and outrun.
+
+It so happened to Mr. Bradley, who up to this time had made no efforts
+to extend his trade as far as the Connecticut River.  When finally he
+arrived on the scene, he discovered that competitors had established
+themselves long ago in this paradise of the huntsman and the trapper.
+
+The Englishmen from Massachusetts Colony, who had come here in the
+previous year, had erected themselves sturdy log huts with a strong fort
+in the midst, to protect them against a possible attack of the Indians,
+and all along the river traders were plying their craft.
+
+However, others had been there even before them.  From the South, Dutch
+trappers had come from New York, and these had gained the good will of
+the Indians, from whom they purchased their furs.  The Dutch were very
+cunning, and while they did not always treat the Indians fairly, they
+nevertheless maintained their friendship and cooperation.
+
+The land along the Connecticut River was very fertile, and the Pequot
+Indians, who sided with the Dutch, had driven away the original tribes
+which had dwelled there.  These expelled tribes were friendly to the
+Puritans, and when the Puritan settlers seized the land, they brought
+back the Indians whom the Pequots had just driven away.  At this the
+Pequots were enraged, and they now took revenge by killing English
+traders where they had opportunity.  The English at once punished the
+Indians by hanging a few of their representative men, and they
+threatened them with war, should they engage in other punitive
+measures.
+
+The Dutch, however, whom the invading Englishmen crowded out, incited
+the Indians to rebellion war against the Puritans, and thus there was
+sown the seed of hatred and war which in time brought forth vicious
+fruits.
+
+When Mr. Bradley arrived at Hartford, he at once met several friends
+who encouraged him not to turn back, but to establish a trading post
+up the river, near enough to the fort to enjoy its protection.
+
+This he did, and the venture gave the children no little pleasure.
+Indian help was readily obtained, and in addition several skilled
+carpenters, who urged the Indians to work hard and rapidly, so that
+within a month a large and strong log house was completed.  It stood on
+the west bank of the river, about ten miles from the fort, which could
+easily be reached by the boat.   As hostilities might be expected, it
+was built much like a small fort, the second story jutting out over the
+first so that it could the more easily be defended.  The log house had
+no windows, but there were a number of small, narrow apertures through
+which the inmates could shoot in case of attack.
+
+The furs and stores were provided for in the first story, while in the
+second there were three rooms in which the traders might live and sleep.
+
+No sooner was the trading post established when Mr. Bradley left with
+his wife to return to Boston, where important business negotiations had
+to be attended to by himself.  He promised to send John Rawlins, and put
+Fred and Matthew in charge of the log house.
+
+Agnes was to return to the Boston Colony, but she begged her parents to
+permit her to remain, and this permission was finally granted.  So after
+a last service, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley left, and the three children
+remained in the wilderness alone, amply supplied with provisions and
+articles of trade.
+
+For their traffic Mr. Bradley had purchased a fine, strong boat, in
+which they could easily reach Hartford whenever they cared to go there.
+In the barn which was built to the house, stood three horses, accustomed
+to traveling in the woods, and altogether faithful and reliable.
+
+Fred, who till the arrival of John Rawlins was in charge of everything,
+at once made preparations to become acquainted with the Indians and to
+gain their friendship, for on them he depended for furs.
+
+He secured a Pequot Indian boy, from whom he could learn the native
+language, and he won his confidence and good will by little gifts which
+he gave him.
+
+The task of learning the language of the Indians was the most important
+one, and each morning several hours were set aside for that purpose.
+The work proved itself a very delightful one, for the method was simple.
+
+Each of the three white children had a little notebook into which they
+would write the words which the Indian boy mentioned to them, and
+although many mistakes occurred at first which caused a good deal of
+laughter, they progressed very fast so that in a short time they knew
+the Indian words for the most important articles.
+
+But also on their expeditions the Indian boy had to serve as teacher,
+and so he was troubled with perpetual questions which his inquisitive
+friends asked him.  As the Pequot Indians had long associated with the
+Dutch, not a few Dutch words were added to their vocabulary, though
+strangely changed by the lips of the Indians.
+
+The visits to the Indians, whether made by boat or on horseback, also
+proved themselves a source of pleasure.  It is true, they did not find
+them in the same friendly mood as the Mohicans, but since open
+hostilities had not been declared, there was still a chance to win them
+over.
+
+And how could the Indians resist the three children, who came to them so
+boldly, and yet so innocently and kindly!  Not a village they left
+without having enriched it with treasures which the Indians prized very
+much.  Wherever they went, they spread the spirit of peace and good will.
+
+Agnes was of great help to the two boys, for by her fine singing and her
+alluring playing on her faithful lute, she endeared herself to the
+Indian women, who gave to her the name "little bird of the woods."
+
+When the Indians came to the trading post, they were received kindly,
+and when they brought furs, they were paid the highest prices possible.
+In addition, Fred doled out to them little sacks of tobacco, while Agnes
+usually won over the women and children by some sweets of sugar or
+fruit.
+
+Thus it happened that when winter came, the trading post became a center
+of much activity.  Furs came in aplenty, which were stored away first in
+the log house, and then were taken to Hartford, where they were secured
+in the fort, in which they were safe against a possible attack by the
+Indians.
+
+That winter John Rawlins did not come, for no sooner had Mr. Bradley
+returned when he took sick, and was confined to his bed for many months
+with a lingering illness.
+
+The children heard of this through messengers at Hartford, which, in
+view of impending troubles, kept in close contact with the stronger
+colonies in Massachusetts.  Though they longed to see their
+foster-father, yet they realized that their presence in Connecticut was
+absolutely necessary, and they knew that they could serve his interest
+best by staying where they were and doing their duty.
+
+However, they did more.  One evening when the work was done and they
+were gathered around the table, Agnes said, "We have forgotten one
+important duty."
+
+"And what is that?" asked Fred who in all things was most conscientious.
+
+"We have not included Mr. Bradley in our prayers," the girl replied.
+"Let us do so right away."
+
+This they did at once, and from that time on they never omitted the holy
+work of praying for their foster-parents, whom they loved dearly and to
+whom they were sincerely grateful, as they had bestowed upon them so
+many and great kindnesses.
+
+Of course, not a day passed on which they did not study the Bible.  In
+those early times attention was not drawn away from the spiritual values
+by all kinds of worldly interests.  There were no daily papers, no trashy
+books, and at the trading post, where the three children lived, they did
+not come in contact with men whose influence was bad.  The work was
+hard; traps had to be set and examined;  the furs had to be cured and
+prepared for trade; the Indian trappers who were in the employment of
+the post, had to be superintended; supplies had to be bought at the
+fort, and so the children were kept incessantly busy.  When the
+evenings came, the children were glad to be alone, and to find comfort
+and strength for their daily tasks in that book, which was found in
+almost every settler's home,---the Holy Bible.
+
+However, as the winter continued, and the snow depended, shutting them
+off from the outside world, and at times interrupting their work, they
+sought new activities in which they could exercise themselves
+profitably.
+
+The thought was really suggested by Matthew, who was keenly interested
+in spiritual things, and who chafed under the monotony of the dreary
+Sundays which the children spent alone in the wilderness.
+
+While the river was still open, they had worshiped at Hartford, but now
+heavy snow covered the ice that they could reach that settlement
+neither by boat nor on their skates.
+
+"Well, what do you suggest that we should do?"  Fred asked.
+
+"My idea is that we gather the Indian children on Sundays and instruct
+them in the Bible and psalmody."
+
+"That's a fine thought!" Agnes exclaimed; "and I know that we shall
+always get enough children to attend."
+
+That same week they invited a number of children through Tom, the
+Indian boy, who always stayed with them, and on the following Sunday
+several Indian children gathered in the house.  Several of them had
+brought their mothers, who were glad to have an occasion to hear Agnes
+sing and play, and at once the Sunday school was opened.  The children
+were instructed in Bible stories, Agnes sang many of her fine hymns
+which she had crudely translated into the Indian language, and
+afterwards the children were treated to such dainties as they had in
+the house.  The venture proved so successful that after that several
+classes were arranged for, which kept the little teachers so busy all
+day that they no longer complained of monotony.
+
+The new venture, however, also cemented the friendship with the adult
+Indians, and during the whole winter the furs came in from everywhere
+so that the supply in the fort increased from week to week.
+
+When finally spring came and the trapping ceased, the children found
+themselves richly repaid by their work, and when at last Mr. Rawlins
+arrived with a number of pack horses to convey the furs to the Boston
+Colony, there were so many of them that more pack horses had to be
+secured.
+
+So with grateful hearts Fred locked the door of the trading house,
+turned the key over to an old, friendly trapper, who spent his summers
+in Hartford, and returned to Massachusetts.
+
+The children as well as John Rawlins were in high spirits, and had it
+not been for the heavily loaded pack horses, they would have galloped
+all the way to Massachusetts.
+
+But they had to be patient, while day after day they covered small
+distances through the thick woods.
+
+They were dressed oddly enough, and looked more like Indians than like
+white people.  Agnes was dressed like the boys, with a fur cap on her
+head, fur coats and trousers on her body, and her feet covered with
+moccasins.  Yet no one took notice of that, for many of the settlers
+were clothed in this way, since it was hard to obtain woolen cloth from
+the old country.
+
+When they returned to Massachusetts, they were greeted with great joy,
+not only by their foster parents, but also by the other villagers, who
+marveled that children so young had undertaken so serious a venture.
+
+Yet we must not judge the children of that time by standards of our own
+day.  Their life was lived largely outdoors where they grew up like the
+trees of the ever present forest.  Their daily experiences made them
+alert and self confident, and while they were behind the children of our
+time in school learning, they knew a thousand arts which the children of
+our later times have never heard of.
+
+Life was hard, and the struggle for existence made them strong, hardy,
+and enterprising.  Had those early pioneers been of a weaker fiber, the
+history of our country would never have been written in glory.  But let
+us not forget that the pioneers were mostly men of deep piety, whose
+rugged strength was rooted in true faith and the fear of God.  Let
+those who scoff at religion, remember that without it our country would
+never have become what it is today.  The fear of God is not only the
+beginning of wisdom, but also the keynote to prosperity and a nation's
+success.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+IN THE THROES OF WAR
+
+
+The brief New England summer passed much too quickly for our three
+friends, for whom summer time meant a long and pleasant vacation.  As
+usual they made trips on horseback or on boat to the other Colonies,
+which were being planted in New England in ever greater number.  In
+this way they widened their circle of acquaintances, and enjoyed many
+pleasant hours in company with other good New England youths.
+
+Mr. Bradley, in view of the fact that the children had so successfully
+carried out their mission, excused them from all work, and gave them
+unlimited time in which to enjoy themselves to their hearts' content.
+
+Yet they were not of the class of young people that wished to be idle,
+and they were heartily glad when the prospect of continuing their work
+at the Connecticut river trading post was discussed.
+
+"Of course, we will go, Mr. Bradley," Fred said when the question was
+put to them.
+
+"We have established friendship with the Indians; we speak their
+language, and our little Sunday school scholars are surely waiting for
+us," Matthew commented; "so why should we stay?  We do not fear the
+Indians!"
+
+Nevertheless, Mrs. Bradley was much alarmed at the report of Indian
+hostilities, and she objected to the trip in gentle but emphatic words.
+
+"We must not send them," she urged, "until we have heard that the
+country is safe."
+
+"You are right, darling," her husband assented after a while; "money
+does not mean much to me.  The good Lord has blessed us abundantly, and
+while my fur business is falling off somewhat, my trade in general
+merchandise is increasing among the settlers."
+
+So the matter was postponed, much to the dissatisfaction of the three
+children who would have left for Connecticut that very day, had not
+their parents restrained them.
+
+"Wait, until we get news from Mr. Rawlins," Mr. Bradley finally
+suggested, and to this all agreed.
+
+After a few days the Indian guide, who was in Mr. Bradley's service,
+arrived, and the letter was immediately read and discussed by the whole
+family at the dinner table.
+
+The message was encouraging.  While Mr. Rawthis reported that the
+Indians were becoming more surly from day to day, he also expressed the
+opinion that there was no immediate danger, since the settlements were
+well protected, and the militia was well armed for war.  But what was
+better than all this, was that the Englishmen were trying to conciliate
+the Pequots and to win their good will.
+
+"That decides the matter," said Fred gleefully; "we shall leave as soon
+as we can get ready."
+
+"But you, Agnes, must stay at home this time," Mrs. Bradley affirmed; "I
+won't let you go.  The boys might escape, if danger should arise, but
+how can you bear the hardships which follow an Indian War?"
+
+"I must go along, Mrs. Bradley," Agnes pleaded; "why, how could the
+boys get along without me?  Please, mother, let me go."
+
+"No, Agnes," Mrs. Bradley objected; "we must not tempt God, and I would
+wish that also you boys would not go.  It is safer here than in
+Connecticut."
+
+"But, mother," Fred said; "there is no danger, and if we wait, until
+the world is a paradise of peace, we shall never accomplish anything at
+all in life."
+
+The upshot was that Mrs. Bradley finally permitted Agnes to go, and she
+was happy at the thought.
+
+When she was alone with Fred, she said to him, "Brother, your life is
+linked with mine, and I will never let you go alone.  Where thou goest,
+I will go.  United we will do what the good Lord will give us to do in
+this life."
+
+Fred kissed his sister tenderly.  "You are as true as gold," he said,
+"and I would miss you greatly if you would stay at home."
+
+"There is no danger to fear," Agnes said; "the good Lord is everywhere,
+and we are in His hand.  But I do not fear the Indians either; yes, I
+feel it to be my mission to conciliate and help them."
+
+So after a few days when their preparations were completed, they left
+the safe and comfortable home to take the trail that led to the forests.
+
+Their departure was somewhat delayed by the arrival of good Pastor
+Eliot, who came with his young wife to visit the Bradleys.
+
+He was a pious and good man, and he discussed the proposition, which
+the children had in mind, with conscientious care.
+
+"If we were living in England," he said, "I, no doubt, would dissuade
+the children from making so hazardous a trip.  But since I have lived
+in America, I have learned many a lesson.   Here the people are
+different. They are men and women, while in years they still are boys
+and girls.  They think in terms which in old England only mature men
+and women use.  They are not afraid of anything.  The forest is their
+home.  Hard work is their pleasure.  Enterprises are the topic of their
+conversation.  The spirit of adventure is bred into their hearts.  What
+shall we say of this peculiar and heroic generation?  May the Lord keep
+them in piety; otherwise, we, trusting in our strength, will perish."
+
+"Your words are very true," Mrs. Bradley said; "but these children,
+thank God, are pious and unspoiled.  They honor and respect their
+superiors; they are devout in their prayers and Bible studies; they
+care nothing for the sinful pleasures of the world; but I wish they
+would not go to dangerous Connecticut."
+
+"We must entrust them to the Lord," said the good pastor; "perhaps
+some good will come out of this mission."
+
+So after many a prayer and with many blessings, our three friends left
+their New England home, accompanied by an Indian guide and an Indian
+servant who had charge of the three pack horses.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+PEQUOT INDIANS
+
+
+"Hm," Fred muttered to himself, as he gazed around in wonder.  "What is
+this?"
+
+He immediately ran to the camp and called Matthew who was just rolling
+away the blankets in which they had slept.
+
+"Look, what I have found!" he said to the boy.  "It's an Indian arrow!"
+
+"Where was it?"  Matthew asked.
+
+"It was driven tightly into a tree, right next to where the Indian guide
+slept."
+
+"And where is the guide?"  Matthew asked, growing pale.
+
+"I don't know," said Fred while his lips trembled.
+
+"Let us look for him," Matthew suggested.
+
+"No, let us go back to the camp, and get ready to leave," said Agnes.
+"This looks dangerous to me.  Something is wrong."
+
+The children had traveled for six days without having been molested by
+any one.  It was late in August, and all nature seemed bathed in peace.
+They had not met a single Indian, but found the villages deserted.  This
+had somewhat surprised them, yet as nothing happened, they had not
+attached to it any importance.
+
+Only the guide had been suspicious.  He was a Mohican, and a man of
+middle age, who was well acquainted with the ways of the Pequots whom
+he hated thoroughly.
+
+The old Indian servant who had attended to the horses had observed
+nothing, and he was greatly surprised when he was informed that the
+guide was missing.
+
+"I will look for him," he said.
+
+"No, you quickly pack the horses and get things in readiness, while
+Agnes and I will look for the guide.  Matthew, you saddle the horses."
+
+"Come, sister," Fred said, "let us investigate this mystery.  Perhaps
+the guide has only gone after a rabbit, wishing to prepare us a dainty
+surprise for breakfast."
+
+But Agnes shook her head.  "It is not a Mohican arrow, but a Pequot
+one," she said.  "It was driven into the tree by a warbow.  See, how
+deeply it entered the tree!  And how strong the flint is and how well
+preserved, in spite of its being driven into the hard wood.  That arrow
+was sent to kill a man."
+
+"We must not paint the devil on the wall," Fred said cheerfully; but
+suddenly he became pale, for at his feet the grass was crushed down,
+and two forms were lying on the ground covered with blood.
+
+One was that of the guide, whose hand gripped the throat of his foe, a
+large and burly Pequot Indian.
+
+The Pequot was dead, choked by the steel clasp of his enemy's hand.
+All around, the grass was trodden down, and the ground showed what a
+fierce struggle had been carried on in silence, while the rest slept in
+peace.
+
+Suddenly Agnes bent over the form of the Mohican and pointed to a knife
+which his opponent had thrust into his back, to the heft.
+
+"Ah," exclaimed Fred; "brave and good guide!  I understand it all now.
+First the enemy shot the arrow and missed you, and then when you moved
+he fell on you from behind, and struck you with the knife.  You, as a
+hero, without saying a word, rose and seized him by the throat, until
+he was dead.  Brave Mohican!"
+
+Tears gathered in the eyes of Agnes.  "Oh, Fred," she whispered; "this
+is terrible.  Let's go away."
+
+"Sister," the boy said, "you must not talk that way; we will go away as
+soon as we can.  But you have fear in your heart, and that is bad.  Only
+courage and boldness will now by the grace of God save us.  Be brave."
+
+"Pardon me," Agnes stammered; "it was wrong of me to show fright.  I
+will never do it again.  God is with us, all is well."
+
+"Thank you, dear sister," Fred said; "that makes it easier for me.  And
+now let us bury our good guide."
+
+Softly he touched the body, when suddenly the Indian moved.  The wound
+in the back was serious, but the knife had not struck a vital organ.
+Only the loss of blood had been severe, as without flinching he held his
+foe in the death grip.
+
+"The Mohican is alive!" Agnes exclaimed; "perhaps we can save his life."
+
+Tenderly they lifted his body and laid it on the grass.  The Mohican
+opened his eyes, but there was in them a glassy stare.  Agnes rubbed his
+arms and patted his hair.
+
+After a few moments a smile stole over the guide's face.  He had
+recognized the girl.
+
+"My good friend and brother," Fred spoke to him in the Mohican language;
+"I am so sorry.  We thank you---we thank you---as the rain falls from
+the sky in summer.  The pale face children are safe because of your
+valor. The Mohican fought like the brave warrior he always was.  The men
+will sing of his bravery in the wigwam, and the women will tell his tale
+when the dusk falls.  Never will be forgotten the brave Mohican guide
+who fought and conquered his foe in battle."
+
+The Mohican tried to speak, but his tongue would not move.  He grasped
+the lad's hand firmly.
+
+Agnes bent over him.  She remembered that he was a Christian.  Her
+missionary heart overflowed with love for the guide's soul.
+
+"Samowat," she tenderly pronounced his Indian name.  "Samowat, friend
+of the white men, protector of the weak, brave and noble warrior that
+knows no fear, hear the voice of the little 'bird in the woods' that
+sings of Jesus.  Samowat dies for his little friends that they might be
+safe. Jesus died for Samowat that he may be saved.  Samowat, the blood
+of Jesus Christ cleanses you from all sin.  Samowat, Jesus will come
+right away and take Samowat home to where happiness is.  Samowat, hear
+my voice."
+
+The Indian breathed heavily and he fought hard to speak.  His native
+Mohican, pronounced with infinite tenderness by Agnes, had made a deep
+impression on him.
+
+"Samowat," he stammered weakly, "has saved his little 'bird of the
+woods.' Samowat loves Jesus, and is not afraid to die."
+
+For a moment he struggled in silence to gain strength for speech.
+
+Fred poured some cold tea into his mouth which he sipped eagerly.
+
+"It is well," he said after a few moments.  "Samowat is going home to
+Jesus.  But---but little white warrior---must go---go---north.  Pequots
+on war path---they south.  Hurry, little paleface warrior.  Kill
+horses---go Indian fashion---walk."
+
+Fred bent over him for his voice was weak.  Yet the Indian struggled
+bravely to finish his speech.
+
+"He---scout---kill me.  Pequots come soon.  Flee."
+
+These were his last words.  Exhausted by the terrific loss of blood,
+his heart failed, and he died peacefully without even a trace of agony.
+
+Agnes wept bitterly, as she pressed the guide's hand.  Also Fred was
+overcome with emotion, and he bit his lips until the blood flowed.
+
+"Sister," he said, "call Matthew and the Indian servant; we must bury
+the brave guide."
+
+The task was assigned to the Indian servant, who alone knew how to bury
+him in a manner that would hide him from the curious and keen eyes of
+the Indians.  The servant covered the graves with leaves and so
+skillfully did he conceal the resting place that not even Fred could see
+where it was.
+
+"We must now kill the horses," the boy said when all was finished.
+
+"But why kill the horses?"  Agnes asked.  "Why, we can cover more
+ground on horseback than on foot."
+
+"We must leave the trail," Fred answered, "and in the woods they will
+betray us.  Also on horseback the Indians can see us the better and
+shoot us before we know they are near."
+
+"Let's not kill them now," Agnes pleaded.  "Jenny is so true an animal.
+I can never see her die here."
+
+"All right, sister," Fred assented; "we shall try to preserve their
+lives.  Only I don't know how to get through the woods with them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE REMAINS OF THE LOG HOUSE
+
+
+In obedience to the instructions of the dying Indian guide, Fred left
+the trail and pursued a northern route.
+
+Traveling along the trail was bad, but finding away through the woods
+was impossible.
+
+Fred realized this when the party had traveled for several hours through
+the dense forest.  From the position of the sun he could tell what time
+of the day it was, yet he knew, too, that they had not covered more than
+a mile.  There were creeks to cross, swamps to circumvent, fallen trees
+to avoid, and difficulties of all kinds.
+
+At noon the three held a council and considered what to do.
+
+"The guide was right in saying that we cannot travel through the woods
+on horseback," Fred began; "I fear we must get rid of the steeds."
+
+"But how are we to walk through this mass of entanglement," Agnes asked.
+"We certainly won't make headway without the horses."
+
+"Agnes is right," Matthew ventured to say.  "I don't know where we are
+going, but I do know that on foot we will not get anywhere.  So let's
+keep the horses."
+
+"I fear you are right," Fred meditated, "but I am sure the horses won't
+benefit us."
+
+Suddenly Agnes exclaimed: "I know what we are going to do!  We'll get
+back to the trail, and follow that to the next settlement.  Samowat said
+that the Indians are south of us.  Very well by this time they may be
+west of us, and we might escape them since we go east.  Let's try it; at
+least then we know where we are going."
+
+"I am in favor of it," Matthew replied; "if we are attacked, we can
+fight; but who is going to fight with conditions as we find them in
+this dense underbrush."
+
+After some delay Fred gave in, and so the three adventurers turned the
+heads of their horses south, and after a few hours found the trail
+which they had left in the morning.
+
+Quickly they pushed east, spurring on their horses who by this time
+were quite exhausted.
+
+They traveled until dusk, and they were about to leave the trail and
+hide in the woods when suddenly Fred's steed neighed.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" the boy reproved his horse.  "You will
+never get any oats if you make such a noise like that."
+
+To his great horror, however, the neighing was answered by another
+horse at some distance.
+
+"It's time for us to hide!" Fred cried.  "Away into the woods!  The
+Indians are coming."
+
+Fortunately they found a deep ravine in the woods were they could
+conceal the horses.
+
+"You stay here, till I come back," Fred said.  "I will see who they
+are."
+
+"I am coming along," Agnes ventured; "you cannot go alone on so
+perilous a mission."
+
+"Stay back," the lad urged her; "this is a job for one man."  But the
+girl would not listen, and so the two stole along the edge of the
+ravine hiding themselves as best they could.
+
+Near the trail they climbed a huge tree from which they could look down
+conveniently.
+
+In a short time they saw a horse, followed by several others.  They were
+loaded heavily, and Fred saw at once that this was a troop of Indians
+carrying supplies.
+
+In fact, he could not see a single warrior, for ugly women and children
+followed the train.
+
+"The Indians are marching west," Fred whispered to his sister, "this is
+a troop of women and children.  That means that the warriors are ahead
+of them.  We are lucky to be informed of their movements, because we
+can now follow a definite course."
+
+Agnes nodded, as she intently looked upon the passing horses and people.
+The women and children were in a jolly mood, and did not make any
+efforts to keep silence.  For about half an hour the Indians were moving
+along the road.
+
+Suddenly Agnes gave a start, and nimbly as a squirrel she slid down the
+huge tree, were she crept silently through the brush.
+
+Soon Fred heard the hooting of an owl, and he perceived how at this cry
+one of the Indian girls, of the age of Agnes, detached herself from the
+crowd.
+
+"It is time for me to join," he muttered to him self; "Sister cannot
+attend to that alone."
+
+In a few moments he was near enough to hear what the girls were talking
+about.  The girl was one of the Sunday school scholars whom Agnes had
+befriended by many acts of kindness.
+
+"Pequots---go---west," she said to Agnes; "will go around big bend
+south and come back and take settlements.  'Little bird of the woods'
+go to big log house, and take boat and tell white men at Hartword.  But
+quick, I must go."
+
+In a few moment she was off, treading softly over the grass and joining
+the other Indians, as if nothing serious had happened.
+
+At once Agnes stood by her brother's side.
+
+"The path is clear, Fred," she breathed to "now for the horses; we are
+not far away from the trading post."
+
+They reached the log house just as the sun was setting, but as they
+approached, Matthew emitted a cry of despair.
+
+"The Indians have burned down the log house," he said sadly.  "The smoke
+is still breaking through the woods."
+
+Cautiously they made their way through the woods, and soon stood beside
+the remains of their log house, where during the previous year they had
+spent so many happy hours.
+
+"What a pity," Agnes said; "so this is the fruit of war and hatred."
+Tears welled into her eyes.
+
+"And our Sunday school classes have become our enemies, no doubt,"
+Matthew reflected; "all of love's labor is lost."
+
+"War destroys, and peace builds up," Fred spoke calmly; "we must expect
+all this, and more.  The end is not yet."
+
+"What do you mean?"  Agnes asked as she watched her brother's furrowed
+brow.  "Do you expect trouble?"
+
+"The Indians who burned this log house, are not far away," he whispered
+to her.  "We must try to get to Hartford before they detect us."
+
+"Let's talk it over quickly," Matthew suggested who in hours of danger
+was always impatient.
+
+"Yes, let's do that," Agnes assented; "we'll hide our horses in the deep
+woods along the river.  I know a fine place, where we may conceal
+ourselves."
+
+"How about our boat?"  Matthew asked.  "Wouldn't it be better if we go
+to Hartford by way of the river?"
+
+"Pst," Fred warned him, "you and Agnes are talking too loudly and
+excitedly.  I am afraid that these woods have ears, as the Dutch say.
+Let's get away from here."
+
+Fred was right.  The children had not seen the Indians who, hidden
+behind the trees, observed every movement they made.  So of this they
+were unaware, and in a moment they disappeared in the thick bush,
+drawing their horses after them.
+
+The Indians did not disturb them, for they knew that they could not
+escape, though they were not many in number, since they constituted
+only a scouting party, left behind the main body which had moved west
+to come back from the south and thus surprise the white men.
+
+As soon as the children had hidden their horses, they sought a small
+cave which they had discovered the year before, and here they held a
+council.
+
+"First," said Fred, "let us kneel down in prayer; for if the Lord will
+not guide our thoughts, we shall never escape."
+
+They prayed fervently, as people do who are in great trouble, and
+closed their devotion with a Lord's Prayer in unison.
+
+"And now you wait here, till I return," Fred said; "but don't make any
+noise.  I must find out whether our boat is still here."
+
+He slipped away from them, carrying his rifle, but avoiding every
+possible noise.
+
+"How clever Fred is!" Matthew said; "I wish I could be like him.  But I
+fear I can never overcome my fright on expeditions such as these.  I was
+not born to be a soldier."
+
+Agnes smiled.
+
+"The Lord has wisely not made all people alike," she said; "some He
+wants to be soldiers, other ministers, and others statesmen.  Each has
+his peculiar gift.  But oh, how I wish that I had been born a boy!  I
+don't mind this at all."
+
+Matthew looked at her with surprise.
+
+"Aren't you, too, a bit afraid?" he asked her "It seems to me as if you
+really enjoyed this kind of frolic."
+
+Agnes looked at him seriously.  "Indeed," she said, "I do not, for I
+hate war.  War is of Satan, and peace is of God.  It is dreadful that
+People should kill each other, and this for the sake of money and gain.
+Had these Indians been treated kindly, they never would have gone on the
+war path.  But the English traders deceived them, and the Dutch incited
+them to blooodshed.  So here we are!"
+
+"It _is_ a pity," Matthew said; "and what a fine Sunday school we had!
+The children could sing, and praise Jesus as well as the white people.
+There is no reason why they should not be true Christians, every one of
+them.  It is the fault of the white men, as you say.  I deeply regret
+that there are rascals who disgrace our religion."
+
+Agnes did not answer.  Her eyes were riveted to the entrance of the
+cave where she anxiously watched the fading light of day.
+
+"It is getting to be night," she said, "and I am hungry as a bear.  I
+wish Fred would come."
+
+"I wonder where he can be," Matthew said wearily; "this business of
+waiting doesn't strike me as a very opportune thing just now.  If I had
+my way, I would be running like a rabbit, until we were back at Boston.
+And never will I leave that place again!  We did wrong in not obeying
+our parents."
+
+Agnes looked at him reprovingly.  "That does not solve our problems
+now," she ventured.  "I, too, wish we were back, but we are here now,
+and we must make the best of it.  But oh, if only Fred were here."
+
+"Let's go and look for him," Matthew broke in.
+
+"No," Agnes replied, "we must stay and wait.  They also serve who only
+stand and wait."
+
+Yet she also became tired as the moments crept on slowly and wearily.
+Darkness covered the cave, and she could hardly see the opening any
+more.
+
+"Matthew," she whispered as she walked forward, "you remain here with
+the guns.  I will go and look for Fred.  It is dark now!"
+
+In a moment she was gone, while Matthew almost wept for anguish of
+heart. Yet he had learned to obey both Fred and Agnes, though he was
+older than they.  There was something indescribably firm in their voices
+and conduct which he never could understand, and often he himself
+wondered what made him stand in awe of them.
+
+Just now he bitterly reproved himself for not having followed Agnes.
+
+"She is a girl and you are a boy," he scolded himself; "but she is a
+heroine, and you are a coward.  How could you let her go alone!"
+
+He waited impatiently, but neither Agnes nor Fred returned.
+
+Overcome with fear, he knelt down in prayer, for he was a very pious
+boy.
+
+"Good Lord," he prayed, "help Fred and Agnes and me, and let us not
+perish in this wilderness.  Show us a way to escape out of this trouble
+that we may praise Thy glorious name.  Help us for Jesus' sake."
+
+Then as the dreary hours passed slowly and monotonously, his strength
+gave way, and he soon was fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+CAPTURE AND ESCAPE
+
+
+How long Matthew slept, he could not tell, but suddenly he was awake,
+and some one was holding his hand over his mouth.
+
+In the darkness the form seemed large and grotesque, and his first
+impulse was to cast aside the hand and to cry out.
+
+But then he heard a soft voice spoken almost in a whisper, and he
+recognized Fred.
+
+"Matthew," Fred whispered, "come to yourself; awake, and sit up.  I
+have something to tell you.  Where is Agnes?"
+
+"She went away to look for you," Matthew replied; "she left a long,
+long time ago."
+
+Fred could not suppress a painful cry.
+
+"And she didn't come back?" he asked excitedly.
+
+"No," Matthew muttered.
+
+"Then she, too, was captured," Fred explained sorrowfully, "and she is
+in the hands of the Indians."
+
+"Oh!  Oh!" Matthew cried bursting into tears.  "What have I done?"
+
+"Be silent now," Fred warned him.  "The Indians are following me.  Let
+me briefly tell you how it all came about.  I crept up to the place
+where the boat was hidden, but found it one.  There was no noise, and
+so I thought I was safe.  The boat might have slipped down into the
+stream.  I stood up and looked, when suddenly the Indians seized me,
+tied me, muzzled me, and carried me off up the bank."
+
+Matthew looked at him with dread written all over his face.
+
+"Fred," he said, "you were captured?"
+
+"Yes," the other replied, "I was, and those cowards at once took me
+into the woods, where quite a large band of Pequots were assembled."
+
+"I thought there were only a few," Matthew interrupted him; "just a
+mere scouting party."
+
+"There was originally," Fred continued, "but It seems as if they were
+joined by another scouting party, and there were even women with them.
+The Indians are shrewd and clever, much more than we white people think.
+While the main troop is going west, scouting parties are all over the
+woods, watching the movements of the whites, and killing off individuals
+or families as they find them.  They are mopping up the woods, ridding
+them of the white foes.  They are doing thorough work."
+
+"But how did you escape?"  Matthew asked.
+
+"That wasn't hard," Fred answered; "as soon as they had taken me into
+the woods, I became very angry, and as well as I could I commanded them
+to remove the gag from my mouth.  I spoke to them in the Pequot
+language, and this made an impression on them."
+
+"How fortunate that we know that tongue!" Matthew exclaimed.  "If I am
+caught, I know what to do."
+
+"You never will be caught," Fred said emphatically; "I won't let you.
+If I hadn't been dreaming and forgetting the danger I was in, they
+never would have got me.  But I learned a lesson."
+
+"But tell me your story to the end," Matthew begged.  "It is so
+interesting."
+
+"Well," Fred started, "when they had removed the gag, I first fumed and
+scolded, much to their delight, for they kept on laughing as I rebuked
+them."
+
+"I called them cowards who could do nothing else but seize little boys,
+and them unarmed.  This amused them very much, and finally one after
+another stole away to the fire where the women were broiling large
+pieces of meat.  Seeing that, I demanded food also, and at last an old
+squaw had pity on me and brought me a rich supply.  Here is some of it;
+We may need it on our way.  Lucky, that we have at least one musket!
+Mine the Indians took."
+
+"But what then?"  Matthew asked inquisitively.  "How did you get away?"
+
+"When the darkness fell over the camp," Fred related, "they simply lay
+down to sleep, after they had tied me to a tree.  The Indian who
+attended to the work, must have liked me, for he took pains that the
+sinews were not strung too tightly.  So what could I do?  While they
+were sleeping, I cleared my hands, cut the bands, and slipped away
+from them.  And look what I took along?"
+
+He held up a large scalping knife.
+
+"Where did you get that?"  Matthew exclaimed in astonishment.  "That
+knife will be very valuable to us."
+
+"The scout was sleeping," Fred said, "though he was supposed to watch,
+and I crept up to him and removed it for safety's sake."
+
+"You are quite a hero," Matthew praised him; "I could never be so brave
+as that."
+
+"There was little bravery," Fred said contemptuously; "the Indians are
+not careful; they just began the war; later they will take more care of
+their prisoners.  Now they still despise the whites."
+
+"But what shall we do now?"  Matthew asked.  "We cannot stay here all
+night."
+
+"That is true," Fred answered; "we must be going; but first let us thank
+the Lord for His goodness.  Without Him we can do nothing.  It is He who
+hitherto has helped us, and may He bring Agnes back to us."
+
+After a brief pause in which both thanked the Lord, they departed, Fred
+carrying the musket, while Matthew held on to the knife.
+
+Silently they crept up the high bank of the river through the deep
+brushwood, until they could see the Indian camp.  But though they looked
+hard, the Indians were gone.
+
+"What is the matter?"  Matthew asked, as he looked at Fred with deep
+concern in his eyes.  "I see no Indians."
+
+"Lie low," Fred admonished him, "and follow me."
+
+The boys crept on, but the Indians were gone, not a trace could be
+found of them.
+
+"Perhaps it is a trap," Matthew commented; "we must be careful."
+Deeper and deeper they pierced the woods.  Dawn came, and day light,
+and the boys were still walking, but not a trace of the Indians could
+be seen.  They had disappeared completely.
+
+"Well, if they don't bother us," Fred remarked, "we shall not bother
+them.  We are angels of peace, and don't want war.  So if they leave us
+alone, we are satisfied."
+
+"I should say so," Matthew assented.  "No war for me, if I can help it."
+
+"Suppose we lie down here," Fred said after a while; "I am dead tired,
+and so are you.  My head is spinning, and I cannot think clearly.  'He
+giveth His beloved sleep,' says the holy Word."
+
+"You are right," Matthew responded; "nothing could be more welcome to me
+than a good bed at this time, though I am still hungry."
+
+"If you are," Fred said, "have some more Indian meat; it is very good,
+although it is rather rare.  But the Indians like it that way."
+
+Matthew ate ravenously despite of the fact that the meat was only half
+done.  But hunger is the best cook, as the proverb says, and he was not
+very fastidious.  Anything would have tasted good to him just then.
+
+"But don't eat it all," Fred admonished him; "we may need of it for
+dinner, though I hope that by that time we may have something better."
+
+"I will mind your admonition," Matthew said smiling, as he plunged his
+teeth into the juicy bear meat.
+
+Then they lay down and slept, as if they were at home and not in the
+Indian infested woods.
+
+Yet they were safe, for the good Lord to whom they commended themselves
+before falling asleep, watched over them, better than they knew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+BACK AGAIN AND AGNES
+
+
+"Don't bother me," said Fred half awake; "it's not time for breakfast;
+just let me sleep a little more."
+
+Matthew pinched his nose so that he could not breathe, and this brought
+Fred to his feet.
+
+"Oh, I clean forgot!" he said laughing.  "My, but that sleep was good!
+What time of the day is it anyway?  We must have slept all day."
+
+They looked to the sky, though the huge trees were much in their way,
+and noticed that the sun was far in the west.
+
+"We are great heroes," Fred said laughing; "we sleep while the enemy is
+around us.  Let us go."
+
+The boys were in high spirits, and thanked God heartily for having
+preserved them so wonderfully.
+
+"Who knows what was going on around us while we slept?"  Matthew
+reflected.  "Perhaps the Indians were in our vicinity, and we were
+shielded from their view.  We have much to be grateful for."
+
+"If only I knew where Agnes is!" Fred said; "she is a bright girl, and
+if they don't take better care of her than they did of me, I fear that
+she will escape them.  She is as spry as a squirrel."
+
+"We must find her," Matthew urged eagerly; "but where shall we go?  I
+must confess that I am completely bewildered.  Why, even that sun has
+turned.  Before it was in the west, and now it is in the north.  What's
+happening to me?"
+
+"You need some more bear's meat," Fred said; "you are starved.  So let
+us first eat and then think."
+
+After eating a little of the meat, they found themselves wonderfully
+refreshed.  A little brook furnished them a cool, welcome drink, and
+with renewed spirits they set forth on their trip.  They walked all day
+and long after the sun had set, they were still groping in the dark.
+
+"This will never do," Matthew finally said; "we are getting nowhere."
+
+"You are right," Fred answered; "as long as the sun was shining, I knew
+the way, but now I am completely lost.  We better lie down and sleep
+until it is day.  Then we can see where we are."
+
+They prayed still more fervently than they had done before, for their
+strength was exhausted and they were bewildered.
+
+"If the Lord will not help us out of this," Matthew said, "we are
+completely lost."
+
+"The greater the need, the nearer is God, indeed," Fred said; and after
+eating a little of the bear's meat, the boys lay down on the soft grass,
+creeping close to each other, for the nights were cool.  They slept
+soundly until dawn, when Fred awoke and awakened his companion.
+
+"Brother," he said; "listen, there are Indians in the neighborhood.  I
+hear them.  And now see, they are making a fire!"
+
+The boys crept through the woods, and when they had reached the top of
+a low ridge, they saw the camp before them.
+
+"It's the same band of Indians that burned down the log house," Fred
+suggested; "I recognize some of them."
+
+"Then let's go, for it is not safe to be near them," Matthew urged.  "I
+don't care to fall into their hands just now."
+
+"The sun is rising," Fred said cheerfully, "and now we can again find
+our way through the woods.  Here is the direction; we go east to the
+river."
+
+They walked away swiftly, but they had not gone more than a few rods,
+when suddenly they saw two large dogs running after them.
+
+"Shoot them," Matthew ordered his companion, "they look wild and
+hungry."
+
+"Not by any means," Fred answered; "a shot in the woods will bring the
+whole Indian band on our tracks."
+
+"But what shall we do?"  Matthew asked.
+
+"Run," Fred replied.
+
+They ran as fast as they could, looking around occasionally to see
+whether they were followed by Indians, but only the dogs came after
+them, gaining a little more on them as the boys became weaker.
+
+"I am through," Matthew finally said; "I cannot run any more."
+
+"Neither can I," replied Fred; "but see, here is a hollow log; let us
+creep into it."
+
+At once they remembered that this act was foolish, for the dogs, barking
+at their prey, would eventually attract the Indians.  But they had no
+time to change their minds; they were dead tired, and no sooner had they
+slipped into the tree when the animals were upon them.
+
+For a moment the boys were silent, while the dogs endeavored to follow
+them into the hollow log.
+
+"Say, we are company enough," Fred muttered; "we don't need you in here.
+What shall I do, Matthew?  Slip me the knife."
+
+"If those dogs are as hungry, as I am," Matthew said, "a little bear's
+meat might do us good service."
+
+"That's a great idea," Fred answered; "well, hand me some of what is
+left.  It is unfit for us to eat anyway."
+
+The plan worked out well.  The dogs swallowed the pieces of meat
+greedily, and when Fred coaxed them with friendly words, spoken in
+Pequot, they wagged their tails and showed signs of conciliation.
+
+Slowly Fred crawled out of the log, still feeding the hungry animals of
+the meat that remained.
+
+Soon he had succeeded in winning their friendship, and when Matthew
+finally came out from the retreat, the dogs were completely won over.
+
+Together they walked on, the dogs following them, as if they had been
+friends for many years.
+
+"If we could only get rid of these beasts," Matthew sighed; "they will
+finally betray us."
+
+"We'll give them the slip soon enough, just as we did to their masters,"
+Fred smiled; "wait."
+
+The opportunity was soon granted them, for when suddenly a rabbit jumped
+out of the thicket, Fred sent them leaping after it, for he was well
+acquainted with the Indian way of hunting with dogs.
+
+"Now we run straight forward, and the dogs will forget us and finally
+return to their masters."
+
+They walked rapidly, and to their joy arrived after some time at the
+place where the log house had stood.  While they had made no progress,
+they at least knew where they were, and could manage a way to reach
+Hartford.
+
+"We must see whether our horses are still here," Fred said, as he
+hurried down the bank.
+
+To his astonishment the horses were just coming out of the woods,
+feeding hungrily on the thick grass.
+
+"Indians!" he muttered.  But then he cried out with joy.
+
+"Agnes!" he cried; "Agnes, you here?"
+
+The girl, who had released the horses and was driving them out of their
+hiding place, smiled as she saw the boys.
+
+"Brother," she said cheerfully, "Oh, what a surprise!" Then she fell
+around his neck and kissed him ardently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+AGNES' STORY AND HARTFORD
+
+
+"We must not stay," the girl said, as soon as she had greeted her
+brothers.  "The Indians will surely come back, and we must reach the
+other side of the river.  I am glad you are here.  Oh, how good the Lord
+is!  I prayed for your deliverance ever since I was captured, but did
+not believe that the good Lord would hear my prayers and grant my
+request so soon."
+
+"What do you want to do?" asked Fred.
+
+"Tie the horses together, and swim the river.  There are no Indians on
+the other side, and we can make Hartford easily."
+
+"How do you know that?"  Matthew asked.
+
+"Don't ask foolish questions," the girl pleaded; "help me get these
+horses roped together.  Then I will leap into the river with the end of
+the rope tied to my saddle, and the horses must follow.  You bring up
+the rear."
+
+She was so resolute that the boys did not resist, but did her bidding.
+
+"But where did you get that fine Indian pony?"  Fred asked when the
+work was done.
+
+"No questions, until we are on the other side," Agnes said; "that
+belonged to a Pequot chief once; now it is mine by right of spoils."
+
+She mounted her pony and at once drove it into the stream; the other
+horses followed, urged on by the showers of blows which Fred and
+Matthew gave them.  The crossing was dangerous, for the river was wide
+and the current swift.  But after much struggling they got across and
+spurred their mounts up the bank.
+
+"There is a trail that leads north," Agnes said; "let's find it.  Loose
+the horses, and let me ride ahead."
+
+"What a wonderful girl she is!" Matthew exclaimed; "she is a veritable
+leader."
+
+Soon the boys heard the hooting of an owl, and they whipped their horses
+into a trot.  Agnes had found the trail.
+
+"Come now," she admonished them, "we must do some fast riding, until we
+are safe.  Then I will tell you my story."
+
+For two hours they rode in silence, Agnes taking the lead on her piebald
+pony which was a wonderful traveler in the woods, much more clever and
+docile than their own horses.
+
+Sometimes the trail was hard to find, but the Indian pony followed his
+sense of smell and walked on and on.
+
+"We are making good time, thanks to my pony," Agnes said jubilantly.
+"Come on with your steeds, gentlemen;  don't mind it, if they are a
+little tired."
+
+However, the horses were showing signs of fatigue, since they had not
+eaten for two days.
+
+"Very well," Agnes said; "look!"
+
+The river made a sweeping bend, and from the high bank they could see
+the fort.
+
+"Hurrah!" Matthew cried; "how good it is to see the dwellings of white
+men."
+
+"We shall rest now," Agnes suggested, "and allow the horses their meal.
+Look at my pony; isn't it a wonder?  And it was gotten by just a little
+trick."
+
+"Yes, tell us the story," Matthew begged.
+
+"Not until the fire is burning, and the meat is cooking, and the horses
+are eating!" the girl said with a roguish smile.
+
+Soon the log fire blazed brightly, and the horses were tied to ropes,
+enjoying the rest and the grazing abundantly.
+
+"Where did you get that meat from?"  Fred asked; "why, you have stacks
+of it."
+
+"All Indian meat," the girl laughed; "spoils of war."
+
+"Oh, tell us the story," Matthew asked again.
+
+"Wait, until we are eating."
+
+Afterwards, while they were sitting around the fire with the juicy meat
+stuck on bits of wood, and eating as if they had fasted for a week,
+Agnes told her story.
+
+"You see," she began, "I ventured out very bravely, but I made the
+mistake which others made, and did not look out for the Indians."
+
+"Your brother is guilty," Fred smiled; "the same fool head rests on us
+both.  We are flesh of one flesh."
+
+"Well," the girl went on; "the first thing I felt, were two arms around
+me, and then a band which pinned my hands together.  A rude hand was
+thrust before my mouth, so that I could not cry out.  The Indians then
+carried me up the bank, and brought me to the camp, where they quartered
+me with the women, quite comfortably, but nevertheless a prisoner."
+
+"Just my story," Fred interposed, "only they did not trust me with the
+women."
+
+"You don't belong there either," Agnes said; "they might have made you
+marry one of their number."
+
+They all laughed while Fred shook his head.
+
+"Never in my life," he affirmed.
+
+"But where did the women come from?"  Matthew queried.  "I thought it
+was a scouting party, consisting only of men."
+
+"That is true," Agnes explained; "but the scouting party was
+supplemented by other Indians from across the river.  That is the reason
+why I urged you to cross the stream.  The Indians are all over the other
+side, headed for the south where they are going to unite and attack the
+white men conjointly.  I heard it all, for the women spoke about it,
+not knowing that I understood the Pequot language.  It is always good
+to know many languages."
+
+"That is true," Matthew agreed; "and if we get out of this, I am going
+to study all kinds of languages, until I am a regular Babel.  That's
+the way."
+
+"Go on with your story, Agnes," Fred urged her; "you just finished
+chapter one, and I am anxious to hear the rest.  The reader is always
+looking for the climax."
+
+"There is no climax to my story," Agnes smiled; "it is all the
+wonderful grace of God which freed me.  You know, the women were very
+impolite. After I had been lying in the tent for some time, trying in
+vain to sleep, for the bands were cutting into my flesh and causing me
+much discomfiture, the women all left the tent and went out where a
+huge fire was burning and the men were eating.  In fact, the men had
+eaten, for they were as impolite to their women, as these were to me.
+Well, the women went out to eat, and I thought that I ought to have
+some meat, too."
+
+"So you stole away and got some," Fred interrupted.  "That is just the
+way I acted."
+
+"No, I did not," Agnes replied; "I was too firmly bound for getting
+away. But while I was thus lying in the tent, feeling miserable,
+suddenly a young Indian girl came in, who addressed me in the Pequot
+language.  Talk about Indian ingratitude!  When the war is over; I am
+going to locate right here, and start a huge Indian school, and invite
+them all to Sunday school every Sunday.  Why, it pays wonderfully to
+teach the Indians religion!"
+
+"That is what I believe," Matthew joined in; "I am going to be an
+Indian missionary like the good Pastor John Eliot.  We must not destroy
+the Indians, but save them."
+
+"That is true," Fred joined in; "and in order that you two missionaries
+may continue your work and not starve, I am going to build up the
+trading post again, and you shall be my guests as long as you live, and
+whatever expenses you have, I will repay."
+
+"We shall hold you to your promise," Agnes replied, "shall we not,
+Matthew?"
+
+"Not one word shall he have spoken in vain," Matthew said.  "He must
+pay every cent.  But now continue with your story."
+
+"This good Indian girl," Agnes said, "had attended our Sunday school,
+and she was very grateful.  Silently she cut my fetters and freed me.
+Then she told me to escape.  It was not yet quite light, and so no one
+noticed me, as I lifted the rear part of the tent and crept through.
+But that was not all.  My dear benefactress led me herself, and in
+order that I might not starve, she showed me the Indian kitchen, where
+large supplies of meat were kept, smoked sufficiently to keep it from
+spoiling.  After I had taken all I could carry, she showed me where the
+horses were, and urged me to take the one belonging to the chief, since
+it was clever and gentle.  At first I had compunctions of conscience,
+but no choice was left me, and I had to do it.  I made a rude bridle of
+birch bark, and jumping on the horse, came here just a little before
+you."
+
+"But what about the Indians?" the boys asked; "where did they go?"
+
+"The girl told me," Agnes replied; "they were on their way west to
+join the other Indians, having received orders to come as soon as
+possible."
+
+"Then we would have been safe on the other side!" Matthew stated.
+"Why was it necessary for us to cross?  I am all wet from the task."
+
+"There are many stray Indians on the other side," Agnes replied; "but,
+no doubt, they will soon be gone;  the whites are gathering their forces
+together, and then they will strike a speedy blow.  But now we had
+better move on."
+
+They tied the horses together, and after a while found a place where
+they could cross the river.  They arrived safely, much to the surprise
+of the settlers who had gathered at the fort, which was filled to its
+capacity so that the stockade had to be enlarged to accommodate the
+fleeing settlers that left their homes in haste when they heard of the
+hostilities of the Indians.
+
+A number of outrages had been perpetrated already, and the pioneers
+were lashed into fury over the horrid tales which were related.
+
+Our three friends were received with open arms; no one manifested
+greater surprise than John Rawlins, who had gotten as far as Hartford,
+where he was confined to his bed by a severe attack of rheumatism, which
+made him as helpless as a child.  He had now recovered sufficiently to
+limp about, but he was still in a bad shape so that he could not be of
+much service to any one.
+
+"Your presence here will make me well in a short time," he exclaimed
+joyfully as he embraced the children.  "And I am sure you have a real
+story to tell."
+
+But how great was his surprise when he learned from the children the war
+plan of the Indians.  Why, that is real news, for which we have been
+looking all this while.  We were all interested in what the Indians
+would do.  Tomorrow you must go to good Captain Mason and relate to him
+what you know.  That will greatly help him in freeing the country from
+the Indian pest.
+
+"Yes, tomorrow," said Agnes; "for tonight we are too tired, and the
+matter does not press."
+
+For the first time after a long, long trip they slept as white men do,
+in real beds, protected by American soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE VICTORY OVER THE PEQUOTS
+
+
+The next morning the children had occasion to meet Captain John Mason,
+that gallant Indian fighter, who was to suppress the Indian uprising.
+He was a trained soldier, and thoroughly understood the principles of
+warfare, not only among the whites, but also as these could be best
+applied to the Indians.
+
+He was a rough and burly man, though kind to the helpless and weak.  At
+present he was busy with reforming the Colonial methods of defense
+against the Indians.
+
+So far the white men had failed to meet the Indians successfully because
+they were reluctant to adopt their war methods.  The soldiers were
+heavily armed, cased in armor, and could therefore not accomplish
+anything against the red men who were light of foot, and easily got
+away from them.  The white men moved slowly, and while they had
+redoubtable musketry, the Indians would not stand still, until their
+opponents got ready to shoot them.  To load, aim, and fire was a tedious
+business, and the Indians with their swift movements and their reliable
+bows and arrows had much the advantage over the white troops who really
+were trained to fight only their fellow Europeans.
+
+Captain Mason was anxious to change all this.  Much of the heavy armor
+was discarded, and many of the fighting habits of the Indians were
+adopted.  Every day the soldiers, together with the volunteer trappers
+and settlers, drilled and trained for the fight that would soon take
+place.
+
+That something decisive had to be done to check the Indian outrages, was
+clear to all, and every man who could bear a gun was drafted into
+service.  From Massachusetts even many volunteers appeared, and they
+were gladly received into service by Captain Mason.
+
+Our three young friends found the Captain surrounded by his officers,
+as soon as he had learned that the children had an important message
+for him.
+
+He delighted in hearing their stories, and when he was told that the
+Indians were massing their forces in the eastern part of the country,
+he at once had his plan ready.
+
+"I am still expecting some troops," he said, "but as soon as these
+arrive, I shall march out to prevent our foes from getting too near
+the settlements.  You boys, of course, will follow me, because you
+are well acquainted with the country and the ways of the Indians.
+Besides, you speak the Mohican and Pequot language, and that is worth
+a great deal. In the meanwhile, you shall be my personal guests, and
+whatever you need, shall be given you.  You shall eat and sleep in the
+officers' tents."
+
+Fred and Matthew at once joined the troops, and drilled with them.
+Among the soldiers they found many boys, who were not much older than
+they, and so they had good companions, with whom they romped, played,
+discussed warfare methods, and diverted themselves in a profitable
+manner in the few hours of leisure left to them.
+
+Old John Rawlins could, of course, not take part in the work of the
+soldiers, but there was nevertheless much for him to do.  His recovery
+was rapid, and while he still limped somewhat, he was of great
+assistance to the quartermaster in distributing and managing the
+supplies.
+
+Agnes, who was a born missionary, soon found occasion to exert her
+talents.  In the fort there were gathered not only men, but also women
+and children, and the latter she gathered into little groups and
+instructed them in the Bible.  For this the mothers were very grateful,
+for the children now had something worthwhile to do, and quarrels and
+strifes were thus obviated.  In short, everybody said that the three
+children proved themselves valuable to the inhabitants of the fort in
+many ways, and soon the topic of general conversation was nothing else
+than their varied and useful activity.
+
+But the longer John Mason waited, the less could he repress the strong
+desire of his men to go and fight the Indians.  News arrived every day
+of settlers captured and tortured to death, and the blood of the
+soldiers boiled with wrath as they heard of this.
+
+So finally when October came, and the ground was frozen and covered with
+snow, the troops set out, led by faithful Mohican guides, to attack the
+Pequots in their own village.  From a European point of view the army
+presented a pitiable appearance, being little more than a rabble of men.
+But they all burned with a desire to punish the Indians, and every one
+of them could handle his gun with precision.
+
+Slowly and carefully the whites proceeded to the Indian village at
+Mystic, where the fierce Pequot chief Sassacus had gathered almost a
+thousand Indians, the majority of whom could fight.
+
+The Indian village was well concealed in a huge swamp, and had not the
+ground been frozen, the white men could never have approached it.  But
+the cold winter, of which usually the colonists stood in dread, now
+proved their best friend, for they could march over the hard ground
+with ease and reach the Indian village in spite of the swamp which
+surrounded it.
+
+One day, at noon, it was reported to Captain Mason that they had almost
+reached the village of Mystic.  The troops were gathered in the thick
+woods, in a little valley, which shut them off from the inquisitive eyes
+of the Pequot scouts.  It was a cold, unpleasant day, and a fierce storm
+was raging, which drove the sharp, icy flakes into the faces of the men
+as they moved forward.
+
+Hurriedly John Mason called together his officers and discussed with
+them the matter of attack.  Both the officers and the men desired to go
+forward at once, since the Indian village was only about seven miles
+away.
+
+"We can make that in two hours," one of the men said; "and there will
+be sufficient time left to punish the redskins thoroughly."  To this
+all seemed to agree.
+
+"And what do you think of the situation?" the Captain asked Fred.
+"Do you think we should attack right now?"
+
+The eyes of all were turned upon the boy with eager expectancy, for not
+one had expected that so great a fighter as Mason should ask him for
+his advice.
+
+Yet he answered briefly and truthfully.
+
+"I would not do it, Captain," Fred said calmly; "if I were in command
+of the troops.  Your men are worn out by the march, while the Indians
+are no doubt ready for an attack.  Then, too, if the attack should fail,
+the night would intervene and disconcert us.  My advice would be to give
+the troops a thorough rest, start out when darkness has set in, and
+attack the Pequot village toward the morning.  This will not give them
+any time to gather their forces."
+
+"That advice seems good to me," the Captain says; "I myself entertained
+similar thoughts.  But pray, tell us more of the plan."
+
+"We may start fires," Fred resumed, "since the storm rages and the woods
+hide the smoke.  Also from the Indian village the smoke can not be seen,
+since it is closed in by trees.  So the soldiers can thoroughly rest.
+When we attack I would supply a number of brave and enterprising men
+with burning fire brands.  These will proceed to the village and set it
+on fire.  The rest is a matter for all of us who fight."
+
+The plan was adopted, and the march was not resumed until late at night.
+Just before daybreak the white men surrounded the slumbering village.
+Due to the severe storm the Indians had not even placed guards around
+the village, since they did not expect the enemy to attack them.
+
+So it happened that the attack worked out successfully.  Fred himself
+led those who carried the fire brands, and they succeeded in entering
+the palisaded village and setting it on fire.  Eggleston in his "History
+of the United States and Its People" reports the battle, and says: "In
+the war which followed this attack, the whole Pequot tribe was broken
+up, and the other Indians were so terrified that New England had peace
+for many years after."
+
+All this is true, for Eggleston is a fine historian, who always relates
+the events truthfully and accurately.  Yet the matter was not as simple
+as all that.  In fact, there was much marching and lighting and
+suffering, before peace was restored.  Fred and Matthew took part in it,
+until all was ended, and the troops returned to the settlements.  But
+they were heartily glad that the fight was over, for war was very
+distasteful to them, and their aim in life was not to be good soldiers
+and kill, but to be useful citizens who could serve both whites and
+Indians with the more blessed and valuable arts and pursuits of peace.
+How eager they were to accomplish these, will be learned from the last
+chapter of our story, in which we find our three young pioneers back at
+the trading post on the Connecticut River.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+CHRISTMAS AT THE TRADING POST
+
+
+Christmas Day is always a day of great joy and blessed peace.
+
+Fred was glad that it could be celebrated in a peaceful manner, the only
+way which becomes this great peace day of the Prince of Peace.
+
+Let us note how Fred with Matthew and Agnes, spent this day in
+glorifying their Lord.
+
+The log house had been rebuilt, but it was much larger than the old one
+which the Indians had burned.  In fact, it was a little fort with
+palisades surrounding it, for never again would they find themselves
+without the means of defense in a war with the Indians.
+
+The main building was the trading post proper, which was twice as large
+as the old one and could accommodate all the furs and articles of trade
+which the increasing merchant ventures required.  South of it on the
+bank of the river, with a wonderful view to the other side, stood a
+spacious dwelling house, consisting of two stories, very conveniently
+built.  West of these two buildings stood a school, which Agnes intended
+for the Indian children that would return with their elders to their old
+haunts. In fact, even now some of the tribes had come back, very sorry
+for the war in which they had engaged.  But not far up the river a
+settlement of white people had been made, and even now log houses were
+being built for the settlers.  Agnes was anxious to have in her school
+also such white children as would come.
+
+John Rawlins had superintended the erection of the fort, and as he was
+clever in making plans, he had done his work well.
+
+"Shall we proceed with our Christmas program?"  Agnes asked her brother;
+"the school is filled with people, and they are becoming impatient."
+
+"No, let us wait," Fred replied; "our friends from Boston must be here
+any minute.  They started early from Hartford this morning, and I expect
+them every moment, for it is almost noon."
+
+To his great joy, he soon heard the barking of dogs, and as the
+children ran forward toward the trail, they heard the hoofs of horses
+stamping the hard ground.
+
+"They are coming," Matthew cried.
+
+In a short time the visitors were welcomed by the men, women, and
+children of the trading post.  There were Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, who
+where anxious to see the children, a young Puritan pastor, who had
+recently come from England, and to whom the new settlement in the woods
+was assigned, and among other great and distinguished men, Captain John
+Mason, the hero of Mystic.
+
+The joy of every one was great beyond words, and every one felt like
+talking, but Agnes urged them to come to the school, where the
+celebration was to take place.
+
+We shall not enter into detail in describing the service, which was
+attended alike by white men and Indians.  The new pastor preached a
+long and edifying sermon, and then Agnes with her class of little ones
+sang hymns about the little Lord Jesus and His wondrous love.  Though
+the time was short, Agnes and Matthew had drilled the story of the
+nativity well, and the children answered promptly.  The service lasted
+three hours. Then each child received a small gift, and the whole
+company was treated royally with a feast that all remembered for a long
+time after.
+
+John Rawlins, clever and resourceful, had arranged this in his usual
+thorough way.  For many days before he had sent out his trappers and
+hunters, and these brought huge supplies of game,---turkeys, ducks,
+geese, partridges, bears, and what ever else could be found in the
+Connecticut woods, beautiful to behold and pleasant for food.
+
+When finally the settlers and Indians had left, and darkness shrouded
+the woods, the children with their parents, John Rawlins, John Mason,
+and the new pastor gathered in the large living room of the new
+dwelling.
+
+Here they related what had happened during the last months, and they
+united once more in giving thanks to the good Lord who doeth all
+things well.
+
+They spoke also of the future.
+
+"Now, you children must return to Boston," Mrs. Bradley said, "and
+never leave us again; for we miss you so much.  The home seems dead to
+us since you left."
+
+But the children demurred, very respectfully, but firmly.
+
+"We shall always return to Boston and spend a number of weeks with you
+during the summer," Agnes said;  "but this is our home, and you must
+promise to visit us often."
+
+"And what will you do here?"  Mr. Bradley asked.
+
+"I will be a trapper and trader," Fred said proudly, "and will serve you
+faithfully und John Rawlins, so that Agnes and Matthew, who are not
+interested in this work, may have food and clothing."
+
+"And I will be a school teacher," Agnes said, "and teach all the
+children that come, white or Indian, the blessed story of Jesus,
+besides other things.  It is a noble calling, and one which deserves
+that many good children dedicate themselves to it with heart and soul."
+
+"And I," Matthew finally said, "will study theology under our new
+pastor, until I, too, may preach and teach and win souls for Jesus."
+
+There were tears in the eyes of all, even in those of the rough
+soldier John Mason.
+
+"If our young people are thus minded," he said, "we shall have no fear
+for the future of our colonies.  We shall become a strong and powerful
+nation."
+
+"If our young people are thus minded," said old, genial John Rawlins,
+"we shall have a large city here in the woods some time, with plenty of
+happiness and peace and wealth."
+
+"If you are thus minded," Mrs. Bradley finally said, "I shall die in
+peace and thank God eternally for having bestowed upon me such dear
+children.  God bless you richly in time and eternity."
+
+"And that is also my prayer," Mr. Bradley joined in, as he gathered his
+arms around the children and kissed them.
+
+"Well, well," John Rawlins finally said, when no one knew exactly just
+what to say.  "All day long I thought of something which would not come
+into my fool head, because we were so busy and happy.  I never forgot
+it in England, but here my poor head is so addled that I am forgetful
+of even the most important thing.
+
+"What is that?" they all asked.
+
+"I forgot to wish you all a merry, merry Christmas," the old servant
+said, as he bowed himself out of the room to go to bed.
+
+The End
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Three Young Pioneers, by John Theodore Mueller
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