Three Young Pioneers Part 3

"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 pa.s.sed 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. G.o.d 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 a.s.serted 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 sh.o.r.e 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed. June came with sunshine, breaking buds, rich, green gra.s.s, 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 Ma.s.sachusetts 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.

"G.o.d 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."