a good while to go to sleep that night. Blue dimity dresses
and shining slippers danced before her wakeful eyes, and a white ribbon
to tie back her hair. Already she was trying to decide what her present
to Amanda should be; and it seemed to her that she had just gone to
sleep when Rose was shaking her gently and saying: "Time to get up."

The travelers were all in the best of spirits that morning: Rose, happy
to be so near home, Anne delighted at the prospect of having dresses
like the girls who lived in Boston, and Mr. Freeman had had the best of
news from Plymouth friends, who declared that news from Philadelphia had
been received stating that the Congress there was agreed upon declaring
the independence of America.

"'Tis what Mr. Samuel Adams has worked so hard for," Mr. Freeman told
the girls; "and when the Congress has fully determined upon the form of
the declaration word will be sent post-haste to Boston; and I trust,
too, that Mr. Adams may be spared for a visit to his family. He has been
absent from Boston for a year past."

Mr. Freeman had asked the landlord to furnish them with a luncheon, as
he did not know if there would be a suitable place to procure food in
Scituate; and with a bag of oats for Lady fastened on top of the little
trunk, and a basket of luncheon under the seat of the chaise, the
travelers could choose just when and where to stop.

"We'll keep a sharp outlook for a good clear stream of water," said Mr.
Freeman.

"And I hope we can stop near the shore," said Rose; "I'd like to go in
wading."

Anne thought that it would not make much difference where they stopped.
The fragrant summer air, the pleasant shadow of the trees along the
road, and the hope of soon being in Boston so filled her thoughts that
where or what she ate seemed of little consequence.

Several hours after leaving Plymouth they found themselves on a pleasant
stretch of road bordering the water.

"There is the very beach for wading!" exclaimed Rose happily, and even
as she spoke they heard the splash of falling water and just before them
was a rough bridge of logs over a rapid stream of clear water. Lady
nearly stopped, and gave a little whinny as if asking for a drink.

"Just the place!" declared Mr. Freeman; "and here's a good piece of
greensward in the shade for Lady," and he turned into a little grassy
field beyond the bridge where a big beech tree stood, making a grateful
circle of shade.

"Lady must have a co