edge of the wilderness) the adventurers were received with eagerness;
even the Spanish escort were exalted into heroes, and entertained and
rewarded by the gentlemen of the town. Here too Dickenson and Kirle sent
back generous gifts to the soldiers of St. Augustine, and a token of
remembrance to their friend, the governor. After two months' halt, "on
the eighteenth of the first month, called March," they embarked for
Pennsylvania, and on a bright cold morning in April came in sight of
their new home of Philadelphia. The river was gay with a dozen sail, and
as many brightly painted Indian pirogues darting here and there; a ledge
of green banks rose from the water's edge dark with gigantic hemlocks,
and pierced with the caves in which many of the settlers yet lived;
while between the bank and the forest were one or two streets of
mud-huts and of curious low stone houses sparkling with mica, among
which broad-brimmed Friends went up and down.

The stern Quaker had come to his own life and to his own people again;
the very sun had a familiar home look for the first time in his journey.
We can believe that he rejoiced in his own solid, enduring way; gave
thanks that he had escaped the judgments of God, and closed his
righteous gates thereafter on aught that was alien or savage.

The aged man rejoiced in a different way; for, being carried carefully
to the shore by many friends, they knowing that he was soon to leave
them, he put out his hand, ready to embrace them in much love, and in a
tender frame of spirit, saying gladly that the Lord had answered his
desire, and brought him home to lay his bones among them. From the
windows of the dusky library I can see the spot now, where, after his
long journey, he rested for a happy day or two, looking upon the dear
familiar faces and waving trees and the sunny April sky, and then gladly
and cheerfully bade them farewell and went onward.

Mary had come at last to the pleasant home that had been waiting so long
for her, and there, no doubt, she nursed her baby, and clothed him in
soft fooleries again; and, let us hope, out of the fulness of her soul,
not only prayed, but, Quaker as she was, sang idle joyous songs, when
her husband was out of hearing.

But the baby, who knew nothing of the judgments or mercy of God, and who
could neither pray nor sing, only had learned in these desperate straits
to grow strong and happy in the touch of sun and wind, and to hold out
its arms to frien