_ was led, that was
probably the estuary of the mighty river Hudson. 'Here,' continues
Robert Fowler, 'we came, and it being the First Day of the week
several came aboard to us and we began our work. I was caused to go to
the Governor, and Robert Hodgson with me--he (the Governor) was
moderate both in words and actions.'

This moderation on the Governor's part must have been no small comfort
to the new arrivals. Also the laws of the New Netherland Colonies,
where they had unexpectedly landed, were much more tolerant than those
of New England, whither they were bound. Even yet the perils of the
gallant _Woodhouse_ were not over. The remaining Friends had now to
be taken on to hospitable Rhode Island, the home of religious liberty,
from whence they could pursue their mission to the persecuting
Colonists on the mainland.

A few days before their arrival at New Amsterdam, the two Roberts
(Robert Hodgson and Robert Fowler) had both had a vision in which they
had seen the _Woodhouse_ in great danger. The day following their
interview with the Governor, when they were once more on the sea, 'it
was fulfilled, there being a passage between the two lands which is
called by the name of Hell-Gate; we lay very conveniently for a pilot,
and into that place we came, and into it were forced, and over it were
carried, which I never heard of any before that were; there were rocks
many on both sides of us, so that I believe one yard's length would
have endangered both vessel and goods.'

Here for the last time the little group of Friends gathered to give
thanks for their safe arrival after their most wonderful voyage. If
any of them were tempted to think they owed any of their protection
and guidance to their own merits and faithfulness, a last vision that
came to Robert Fowler must have chased this thought out of their minds
once for all.

'There was a shoal of fish,' he says, 'which pursued our vessel and
followed her strangely, and along close by our rudder.' The master
mariner's eye had evidently been following the movements of the fish
throughout the day, as he asked himself: 'What are those fish? I never
saw fish act in that way before. Why do they follow the vessel so
steadily?' Then, in the time of silent waiting upon God, light
streamed upon this puzzle in his mind.

'In our meeting it was shewn to me, these fish are to thee a figure.
"Thus doth the prayers of the churches proceed to the Lord for thee
and the rest."' That