d the troops returned to the settlements. But
they were heartily glad that the fight was over, for war was very
distasteful to them, and their aim in life was not to be good soldiers
and kill, but to be useful citizens who could serve both whites and
Indians with the more blessed and valuable arts and pursuits of peace.
How eager they were to accomplish these, will be learned from the last
chapter of our story, in which we find our three young pioneers back at
the trading post on the Connecticut River.

CHAPTER XIV

CHRISTMAS AT THE TRADING POST

Christmas Day is always a day of great joy and blessed peace.

Fred was glad that it could be celebrated in a peaceful manner, the only
way which becomes this great peace day of the Prince of Peace.

Let us note how Fred with Matthew and Agnes, spent this day in
glorifying their Lord.

The log house had been rebuilt, but it was much larger than the old one
which the Indians had burned. In fact, it was a little fort with
palisades surrounding it, for never again would they find themselves
without the means of defense in a war with the Indians.

The main building was the trading post proper, which was twice as large
as the old one and could accommodate all the furs and articles of trade
which the increasing merchant ventures required. South of it on the
bank of the river, with a wonderful view to the other side, stood a
spacious dwelling house, consisting of two stories, very conveniently
built. West of these two buildings stood a school, which Agnes intended
for the Indian children that would return with their elders to their old
haunts. In fact, even now some of the tribes had come back, very sorry
for the war in which they had engaged. But not far up the river a
settlement of white people had been made, and even now log houses were
being built for the settlers. Agnes was anxious to have in her school
also such white children as would come.

John Rawlins had superintended the erection of the fort, and as he was
clever in making plans, he had done his work well.

"Shall we proceed with our Christmas program?" Agnes asked her brother;
"the school is filled with people, and they are becoming impatient."

"No, let us wait," Fred replied; "our friends from Boston must be here
any minute. They started early from Hartford this morning, and I expect
them every moment, for it is almost noon."

To his great joy, he soon heard the barking of dogs, and as the
c