he way with his new
friend, greatly to Amos's delight.

"Anne wasn't to blame." Amos repeated this a number of times so
earnestly that Mr. Freeman began to realize that the boy knew more than
he was willing to tell, and to blame Amos.

"That Amanda," Amos whispered to himself, as he blushed and stammered
and evaded Mr. Freeman's questions.

"I suppose I can trust you with this letter to Captain Stoddard?" said
Mr. Freeman.

Amos lifted his head, and his blue eyes did not falter in meeting the
stern look of the man.

"I'll give it to him," he replied, and Mr. Freeman felt quite sure that
the letter would reach its destination.

When Amos's boat drew near the landing at Province Town, he saw that his
father, Amanda, and the Stoddards were all waiting for him. He felt
himself to be almost like the chiefs of whom Shining Fish had told him,
and quite expected to be praised and made much of; but as he sprang
ashore he felt his father's hand on his shoulder.

"March yourself straight to the house, young man. I'll see that you pay
for this fool's errand," said Mr. Cary.

Amos wriggled away from his father's grasp. "I've got a letter for
Captain Enos. Anne's in Brewster," he announced.

"Thank heaven!" exclaimed Mrs. Stoddard. "And did you find her, Amos?
You are a brave boy! Why, Mr. Cary, there's not another boy in the
village who thought of Anne's going to Brewster, or man either for that
matter," and Mrs. Stoddard patted the boy's shoulder affectionately,
while Mr. Cary regarded Amos with puzzled eyes, hardly knowing whether
to blame or praise him.

While Captain Enos read the letter Amos briefly told the story of his
adventures to the little group, saving all that Shining Fish had told
him to relate to Jimmy Starkweather as soon as opportunity should occur.

"Well, go home to your mother," said Mr. Cary in a more gentle voice,
and Amanda kept close beside her brother as they turned toward home.

"You've got to tell Mrs. Stoddard," said Amos. "Yes, you have," he went
on, almost fiercely, as Amanda began to whimper. "Everybody's blaming
Anne, and it's not fair; you've got to tell."

Amanda stopped short and looked at her brother accusingly. "You promised
not to tell," she said.

"Well, I haven't," answered the boy, "and I won't. I'm ashamed to,
beside the promise. Anne said, when I told her that you said you were
sorry, that I was to tell you 'twas all right. She seemed to feel bad
because you were sorry."