hildren ran forward toward the trail, they heard the hoofs of horses
stamping the hard ground.

"They are coming," Matthew cried.

In a short time the visitors were welcomed by the men, women, and
children of the trading post. There were Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, who
where anxious to see the children, a young Puritan pastor, who had
recently come from England, and to whom the new settlement in the woods
was assigned, and among other great and distinguished men, Captain John
Mason, the hero of Mystic.

The joy of every one was great beyond words, and every one felt like
talking, but Agnes urged them to come to the school, where the
celebration was to take place.

We shall not enter into detail in describing the service, which was
attended alike by white men and Indians. The new pastor preached a
long and edifying sermon, and then Agnes with her class of little ones
sang hymns about the little Lord Jesus and His wondrous love. Though
the time was short, Agnes and Matthew had drilled the story of the
nativity well, and the children answered promptly. The service lasted
three hours. Then each child received a small gift, and the whole
company was treated royally with a feast that all remembered for a long
time after.

John Rawlins, clever and resourceful, had arranged this in his usual
thorough way. For many days before he had sent out his trappers and
hunters, and these brought huge supplies of game,---turkeys, ducks,
geese, partridges, bears, and what ever else could be found in the
Connecticut woods, beautiful to behold and pleasant for food.

When finally the settlers and Indians had left, and darkness shrouded
the woods, the children with their parents, John Rawlins, John Mason,
and the new pastor gathered in the large living room of the new
dwelling.

Here they related what had happened during the last months, and they
united once more in giving thanks to the good Lord who doeth all
things well.

They spoke also of the future.

"Now, you children must return to Boston," Mrs. Bradley said, "and
never leave us again; for we miss you so much. The home seems dead to
us since you left."

But the children demurred, very respectfully, but firmly.

"We shall always return to Boston and spend a number of weeks with you
during the summer," Agnes said; "but this is our home, and you must
promise to visit us often."

"And what will you do here?" Mr. Bradley asked.

"I will be a trapper and trader," Fred said