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.