CHAPTER VII
IN THE THROES OF WAR
The brief New England summer passed much too quickly for our threefriends, for whom summer time meant a long and pleasant vacation. Asusual they made trips on horseback or on boat to the other Colonies,which were being planted in New England in ever greater number. Inthis way they widened their circle of acquaintances, and enjoyed manypleasant hours in company with other good New England youths.
Mr. Bradley, in view of the fact that the children had so successfullycarried out their mission, excused them from all work, and gave themunlimited 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 workat the Connecticut river trading post was discussed.
"Of course, we will go, Mr. Bradley," Fred said when the question wasput to them.
"We have established friendship with the Indians; we speak theirlanguage, and our little Sunday school scholars are surely waiting forus," Matthew commented; "so why should we stay? We do not fear theIndians!"
Nevertheless, Mrs. Bradley was much alarmed at the report of Indianhostilities, and she objected to the trip in gentle but emphatic words.
"We must not send them," she urged, "until we have heard that thecountry is safe."
"You are right, darling," her husband assented after a while; "moneydoes not mean much to me. The good Lord has blessed us abundantly, andwhile my fur business is falling off somewhat, my trade in generalmerchandise is increasing among the settlers."
So the matter was postponed, much to the dissatisfaction of the threechildren who would have left for Connecticut that very day, had nottheir parents restrained them.
"Wait, until we get news from Mr. Rawlins," Mr. Bradley finallysuggested, 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 wholefamily at the dinner table.
The message was encouraging. While Mr. Rawthis reported that theIndians were becoming more surly from day to day, he also expressed theopinion that there was no immediate danger, since the settlements werewell protected, and the militia was well armed for war. But what wasbetter than all this, was that the Englishmen were trying to conciliatethe Pequots and to win their good will.
"That decides the matter," said Fred gleefully; "we shall leave as soonas we can get ready."
"But you, Agnes, must stay at home this time," Mrs. Bradley affirmed; "Iwon't let you go. The boys might escape, if danger should arise, buthow can you bear the hardships which follow an Indian War?"
"I must go along, Mrs. Bradley," Agnes pleaded; "why, how could theboys get along without me? Please, mother, let me go."
"No, Agnes," Mrs. Bradley objected; "we must not tempt God, and I wouldwish that also you boys would not go. It is safer here than inConnecticut."
"But, mother," Fred said; "there is no danger, and if we wait, untilthe world is a paradise of peace, we shall never accomplish anything atall in life."
The upshot was that Mrs. Bradley finally permitted Agnes to go, and shewas happy at the thought.
When she was alone with Fred, she said to him, "Brother, your life islinked 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 inthis 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, Ifeel it to be my mission to conciliate and help them."
So after a few days when their preparations were completed, they leftthe safe and comfortable home to take the trail that led to the forests.
Their departure was somewhat delayed by the arrival of good PastorEliot, who came with his young wife to visit the Bradleys.
He was a pious and good man, and he discussed the proposition, whichthe children had in mind, with conscientious care.
"If we were living in England," he said, "I, no doubt, would dissuadethe children from making so hazardous a trip. But since I have livedin America, I have learned many a lesson. Here the people aredifferent. They are men and women, while in years they still are boysand girls. They think in terms which in old England only mature menand women use. They are not afraid of anything. The forest is theirhome. Hard work is their pleasure. Enterprises are the topic of theirconversation. The spirit of adventure is bred into their hearts. Whatshall we say of this peculiar and heroic generation? May the Lord keepthem 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 theirsuperiors; they are devout in their prayers and Bible studies; theycare nothing for the sinful pleasures of the world; but I wish theywould not go to dangerous Connecticut."
"We must entrust them to the Lord," said the good pastor; "perhapssome good will come out of this mission."
So after many a prayer and with many blessings, our three friends lefttheir New England home, accompanied by an Indian guide and an Indianservant who had charge of the three pack horses.
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