CHAPTER IV
A HAPPY SURPRISE
Events moved swiftly along in the Colony, and in a short time twofleeting 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 moreland and plant more corn. The Colony was increasing from month tomonth and required more ample supplies with which to feed the manyhungry mouths.
Almost every week a ship from England would come in with new immigrants,for the Colony enjoyed an enviable reputation, and in England thepersecution of Puritans and Separatists continued. Between 1630 and1640 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 themsuch raw products as the Colony could produce. The furs which thetraders obtained from the Indians and their own trappers were veryvaluable, and brought high prices in old England.
But England needed also timber, and this was found abundantly in thenew 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 tomingle undauntedly with the Indians, who liked the "pale face" verymuch because of his frankness and honesty.
The boy had received a good education, and whatever he knew, he turnedto good use, so that Mr. Bradley more than once trusted him withimportant negotiations.
"God has given me a fine helper," he said one evening to his wife, asthey 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 comeover 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 hadfound a trustworthy and loving husband, who after their marriageinsisted that they stay in England and seek their fortune there. He wasa small merchant who was doing well in business, so that Matthew'smother had no reason to complain.
"And now you will return to England," Fred said sadly after he had readthe letter to the family. "I might just as well bid you good-by rightnow."
"Never," Matthew answered; "this is my country and shall remain mycountry. Here God has given me work to do and dear friends with whom Iam happy. So why should I return?"
All rejoiced in Matthew's resolution, and they promised to make life aspleasant for him as possible.
Certainly to him life was not a drudgery. Mr. Bradley wisely allowedthe children sufficient time for recreation, especially in summer whenthe fur trade was not active.
He was anxious that the lads should become thoroughly acquainted withthe country and its inhabitants, as his business depended much on thegood will of the white men and the Indians.
So he sent them far into the interior with little gifts and trinketswhich the boys were to give to the Indians, in order that they mightestablish trade connections with the "House of Bradley."
These trips were very pleasant to the boys, and as they sometimes tookAgnes with them, they formed a merry party, for the girl was full offun and laughter, and though the boys were much taller than she, shecould 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 everyone smoked the peace pipe, including Fred and Matthew, who had to submitto 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 inthe large wigwam by the sea, paid for furs, much more than the Frenchand other traders. This he could say with truth, for Mr. Bradley indeedwas thoroughly honest in his business and never deceived the guilelessIndians.
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 toeach man some gift which he liked. All of them liked tobacco, thoughmany asked for fire-water, which, however, Fred never offered them.Some, however, preferred cups and kettles which Fred supplied as longas the store lasted. Usually, however, these were reserved for themighty men among the Indians, the chiefs and leaders, since only alimited supply of them could be carried on horseback.
In the meanwhile Agnes would approach the wigwams of the women, and byher winsome smiles, her hearty laughter and gayety soon won theirconfidence. She spoke the language of the Indians fluently, and sangmany of the Puritan hymns in their tongue, so that they were "muchentertained," as the old chronicle says.
On her trips she carried her lute with her, and on this she played sowell that not only the women, but also the men were attracted to herentertainment. Then she would sit down in their midst, and tell theminteresting stories of the white men and women, and their kings andqueens, and their gold and silver, and big wigwams, and when they hadbecome thoroughly interested, she told them of their religion, and ofGod's Son who had become man to save sinners.
The Indians loved to hear stories, and never tired of them, especiallywhen Agnes told them about the miracles of Jesus, how He had healed thesick and fed the hungry multitudes with bread.
It had taken the girl a long time until she had learned how to tellthese stories to the Indians. In general, the Puritans did not troublethemselves about the salvation of the Indians; but in 1631 a youngminister had come from England, who for sometime had stayed with theBradley's in Boston, Where Agnes became well acquainted with him.
His name was John Eliot, and from the very start this pious ministerwas interested in the spiritual welfare of the Indians.
"They have immortal souls, too," he said to Mr. Bradley, "and we musttell them of the salvation which God has prepared for all men."
Mr. Bradley was not much interested in the project, though he was a trueChristian; but like other Puritans he never believed that the Indianscould be converted to Christianity.
Agnes, however, listened to the minister with keen interest, and oftenshe would converse with him on this matter.
At first, John Eliot had no congregation, nor did he know the languageof the Indians. But in 1632 he was elected pastor of Christ Church, inRoxbury, 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. Buthe secretly studied the language of the Indians, and at last in 1646, heengaged 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 inthe Indian country. Pastor Eliot was not yet preaching to them; but thegirl had learned from him how to tell the story of Christ in simplewords which all could understand.
Agnes thus became the first missionary among the Mohican Indians inMassachusetts. Later, John Eliot became famous as the "Apostle of theIndians", for besides preaching to them, he translated into theirlanguage the Bible and many other fine books.
Usually the children spent a week on their trip but at times when theyhad drifted far away from the Colony, they stayed away for two and eventhree weeks. Their foster-parents, however, never worried about them,for they knew that Fred was a brave leader, and that Agnes would notlose her way even in the densest forest.
By this time all three could handle such weapons as were used at thattime, and though the guns were heavy and clumsy, none of them missed theobject at which they aimed. So by the grace of God they always returnedsafe, and then they had many interesting stories to tell.
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nbsp; One evening as they had just related their tale of adventure, Mr.Bradley said, "I must secure some trustworthy person who can attend tomy business when I am away. So far, I have not cared to entrust mystore to any one here, but I must find some one, for I, too, mustventure out to establish more trading posts. The furs are not coming inas fast as they should; there are too many traders elsewhere."
Just then some one rapped at the door, and when Fred opened he saw ahuge man standing in front of him.
"Good evening," said the stranger somewhat timidly; "does Mr. Bradleydwell here? I was directed to this house."
No sooner had Mr. Bradley heard the man's voice, when he jumped from thechair 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, JohnBradley!"
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 theman 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 setme ashore. I just had to see my old mate this evening."
"So the good ship 'Hope' arrived?" Mr. Brad asked. "That is fine, forthe colonists are eagerly waiting for supplies; and I know there is ashipment for me."
"Yes, so the captain tells me," the stranger said and he at once beganto relate why he had come America.
This he did upon the urgent request of Mr. Bradley who was muchsurprised at so unexpected a visit.
"Well, it was this way," the stranger began, after he had lighted hispipe and taken a few draughts of the tea which Mrs. Bradley set beforehim. "In England they are all talking about the wonderful success ofthe Colony, and there are thousands of people ready to come over, ifonly they could pay their fare."
"I hope they do not come over without funds" Mr. Bradley said, "for wehave difficulties of our own; and I hope, too, that they will not sendus worthless and lazy fellows. We cannot use them here."
"I understand, I understand," John Rawlins said; "well, when you soldthe 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 aninvalid. But the days of her earthly pilgrimage are over, and she restsunder the flowers of old England. What should I do, a widower and alonely man? So I bethought myself of you, and lo, here I am seekingwork, as in the days of yore."
"And you are exceedingly welcome," Mr. Bradley said warmly; "yourfaithful services are worth gold to me. If you seek employment, youare 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. Bradleyexplained, "telling the boys that I must venture out on expeditionsmyself 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 inEngland, John Rawlins was his most trustworthy clerk and helper. Hewas now an old man, who had lived more than three score years, yet hewas 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 noticeof the children.
"What fine children you have, Mrs. Bradley," he said, "and how tall fortheir 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, tellingthe story in words that would not offend the children.
"How wonderful!" the man exclaimed when he had heard the tale. "If suchchildren 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, oldman who was so peculiar and yet so good.
"We are going to be playmates, my lads," said after a while, "and I willteach you some tricks from old England."
"And you, young lady," he continued, "I suppose you are a real miss, notafraid of Indians and lions and such like."
"Please, sir," Agnes replied, "there are no lions in the Colony, but ifthere were they would soon fall dead before my trusty musket."
With mock dignity she took down the heavy musket and aiming it at theman, said, "And, sir, here is how the women of America defend theirhonor. Hold on, sir, or you will be a dead man." They all laughed, butMrs. Bradley urged Agnes to put away the gun, which was a fine specimenthat Mr. Bradley had especially imported from England for the girl.
"You are going to teach me a trick or two," the old man said laughingboisterously. "I surely must guard my tongue, or the days of my earthlypilgrimage will be cut short."
It was a lovely evening, and never for a long time was there so muchjollity In the house. However, when finally Mr. Bradley took down thelarge family Bible to read the evening chapter, all were serious andlistened to the Word of God with devotion.
The service was closed with a hymn of praise, which Agnes accompanied onher lute.
Tears crept over the rough cheeks of the old man, and as he bade hisfriends good-night, he said, "Never was the heart of John Rawlins sohappy as tonight. The Lord has verily blessed my pilgrimage to America,nor is it altogether a rough country, but one where there is much pietyand delight."