We left the _Amity_ sailing up the Delaware. During her absence, a
number of vessels had arrived both from England and from Dutch and
German ports, and it pleasant to those interested in the welfare of the
colony to see them land their passengers and cargoes, the former often
collected in picturesque spots on the banks, under the shelter of white
tents, yellow wigwams, dark brown log huts, and sometime green arbours
of boughs. Off Chester a shattered weather-beaten bark was seen at
anchor. Here also the _Amity_ came to an anchor, although news was
brought on board that the governor had already selected the site of his
capital on the point of land at the junction of the Delaware and the
Schuylkill. Wenlock turned his eyes towards the shattered vessel, and
naturally inquired who she was.
"Oh, she is the long lost _Concord_!" was the answer.
Wild agitation filled his bosom as he heard these words, but it was
succeeded by fear.
"What have become of the passengers, then?" he asked.
"Some of them died, but others arrived in her. She was cast away on an
island, and only with great difficulty was at length got off."
"But where are they?" asked Wenlock.
"Most of them are at Chester, though some have gone off to the new
city," was the answer.
Unable to obtain any further information, Wenlock jumped into the first
boat returning on shore. He bethought him that he would at once go to
his friend, Dr Van Erk, who would be more likely than any one else to
give him information. He inquired for his house. Wealth will do much.
While others were lodged in huts, the doctor had already secured a
comfortable residence for his family. Wenlock hurried towards it, but
before he reached it he met the doctor. After they had greeted each
other, he told him of whom he was in search.
"Come, my young friend, and perhaps we may find them." The doctor took
his arm and led him along till they reached a somewhat highly-pointed
but very neat cottage.
"There, whom do you see there?" he asked, pointing through the window.
There were four ladies, two old ones and two young. One of them was
Gretchen. She was close to the window, so he saw her first; but beyond
her,--yes, there was no doubt about it, there sat Mary Mead. They were
engaged in their work, so they did not see him.
"Stay," said the doctor, "I forgot. A certain friend of yours has been
telling them that you are dead; that he has had news of it; and it might
agitate them somewhat, if you were to appear suddenly. I will go in and
prepare them." Wenlock stood outside, hid by the porch. He heard first
Master Mead's rich voice utter a note of surprise, and then several
female voices. He thought he could distinguish Mary's. It was very
low, though. Master Mead was the first to come out and welcome him, and
in a few seconds he was in the presence of Mary and Gretchen and the two
old ladies.
"My dear sister, I am so thankful," exclaimed Gretchen, bestowing a kiss
on Mary, "that he has been restored to you." Whatever doubt Master Mead
had before, as to bestowing his daughter on Wenlock, it was set at rest
by the appearance of the elder Wenlock Christison, who very speedily
satisfied all prudential scruples, by informing the worthy father of his
intentions regarding his nephew.
While the party were assembled, _a head was put into the door_. It was
quickly withdrawn.
"Oh! it is that odious Jonas Ford," said Gretchen. "I am sure he never
comes here to speak truth."
"Nay; but we should not think harshly of a friend," observed Mead.
"I do not think over harshly," answered Gretchen. "If ever there was a
sleek hypocrite, that man is one." Time showed that Gretchen was right,
although Wenlock escaped the consequences of his machinations. Wenlock,
however, could not remain long at Chester, having to proceed up to the
new capital, Philadelphia, to give an account of his mission to the
governor. He was received in the kindest manner by the governor, who
was living in a log hut while his intended residence, some way higher
up, was building.
"Here, my young friend," he said, pointing to a large sheet of paper
spread out on a table, "is the plan of our future capital. See, we
shall have two noble rows of houses fronting the two rivers; and, here,
a magnificent avenue of one hundred feet in width, which we will call
the High Street, uniting them with lines of trees on either side. Then
we will have Broad Street, cutting the city in two parts from north to
south, with a magnificent square of ten acres in the centre, and in the
middle of each quarter there shall be another square, each of eight
acres, for the recreation of the people, and we will have many detached
buildings covered with trailing plants, green and rural, to remind us of
the country towns of England. Already many houses have been put up, and
the people show a commendable energy in erecting more, as fast as
materials can be procured. To-morrow I have appointed for a meeting
with the native chiefs, to hold a solemn conference for the purpose of
confirming former treaties, and forming with them a lasting league of
peace and friendship. I am glad that thou art come, Christison, as it
will be a matter of great interest. Thou hast probably visited the spot
with my kinsman, Colonel Markham. It is called Sakimaxing, the meaning
of which is, `The place or locality of kings.'"
"Yea," answered Wenlock; "I accompanied him on more than one occasion,
when he had to make arrangements with Taminent. The natives hold in
great respect an ancient elm of vast size which, they say, is already
one hundred and fifty-five years old. Under its branches the tribes are
wont to meet to smoke the calumet of peace, and to arrange their
disputes."
"No fitter spot could have been chosen," observed Penn. "We hope, too,
that they will ever be ready to smoke with us the calumet of peace."
At an early hour the following morning, the governor, with his faithful
friend Pearson, and other attendants, men of influence among the
settlers, set forth on horseback to a spot where the conference was to
take place. It was an open space, close to the banks of the magnificent
Delaware. In the centre stood the stately council elm, spreading its
branches far and wide over the green turf. Circling round was the
primeval forest, with the dark cedar, the tall pine, the shining
chestnut, and the bright maple, and many other trees, stretching far
away inland. The governor and his companions, leaving their horses,
advanced towards the meeting-place. His tall and graceful figure was
especially distinguished by the light-blue sash he wore, as a simple
mark by which the natives of the forest might recognise him. He had
never affected ultra-plainness in dress, preferring rather to simplify
the costume which he had hitherto worn. His outer coat was long,
covered, as was the custom, with buttons. An ample waistcoat of rich
material, with full trousers, slashed at the sides and tied with
ribbons, while his shirt had a profusion of handsome ruffles, and a hat
of the form worn in his younger days, completed his costume. On one
side was Colonel Markham, already well known to the natives, and on the
other his faithful friend Pearson; while Wenlock and his other
companions came a little way behind them. As they advanced, the Indians
were seen to approach, led by Taminent, their chief, all habited in the
ancient costume of the forest, with the brightest of feathers, their
faces painted in their most gorgeous style. A number of the settlers
from various parts had followed the governor, and now formed a circle at
a respectful distance. No monarchs of the Old World could have behaved
with more dignity than did the Indian chief and the Quaker governor.
Taminent having retired and consulted with his councillors, again
advanced, placing on his own head a chaplet, in which was fastened a
small horn, the symbol of his power. Whenever a chief of the
Leni-Lenape placed on his brow this chaplet, the spot was made sacred,
and all present inviolable. The chief then seated himself with his
councillors on either side, the older warriors ranging themselves in the
form of a crescent round them, the younger forming an outer semicircle.
The English governor then arose, the handsomest and most graceful of all
present, and addressed the natives in their own language. He told them
that they had one common Father, who reigns above; and that his desire
was that his people, and theirs should be brothers, and that as brothers
and friends they should treat each other, and that thus they should help
each other against all who would do them harm. And, lastly, that both
his people and the Leni-Lenape should tell their children of this league
and bond of friendship which had been formed,--that it might grow
stronger and stronger, and be kept bright and clean, as long as the
waters should run down the creeks and rivers, and the sun and moon and
stars endure. He then laid the scroll containing the proposed treaty on
the ground, which was accepted by Taminent, and preserved for ages
afterwards by the Indians. Thus was this treaty ratified with a "Yea,
yea,"--the only treaty, as has been remarked, known in the world, never
sworn to, and never broken. Thus was Pennsylvania happily founded
without injustice, without bloodshed, without crime; and, blessed by
Heaven, continued to flourish, the most happy and prosperous colony ever
formed by Britons.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our tale is ended. A faint outline of the history of a true hero has
been traced. From it may be learned in what true heroism consists.
William Penn (for he is our real hero), like the Master he served,
though in the world, was not of it. He, as all must who desire to be
faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus Christ, and not mere nominal
Christians, took Him as his example. He had counted the cost, and
entered boldly on the warfare. Worldly honours and distinctions were
given up, though the highest were within his grasp. Persecution and
contempt were willingly accepted; imprisonment endured without
murmuring. He trusted to One all-powerful to help in time of need. His
firm faith even in this life was rewarded. He was enabled to overcome
the world.
So will it be with all who like William Penn, know in whom they trust,
if they persevere like him without wavering.