hile the man was penning the note, Fred and Agnes dressed themselves
warmly in their furs, for while March had come, the weather was still
cold, and heavy snow had fallen. At that time the winters in New
England were much severer than they are now.

So they strapped on their snow-shoes, and Fred took down his gun from
the wall. The evening was quiet, and on the way he might see some game.
In winter the deer and elk often stole into the village in search of
food, and sometimes the settlers could shoot them from their open
windows.

In a few moments the children were off, having kissed their parents
good-by. Then they stepped out into the clear, cold night, where they
at once disappeared in the woods.

"How beautiful it is tonight," Agnes said as she laughingly passed her
brother. "It makes me feel gay. I think I can beat you to the
Governor's house."

"Stay behind me, Agnes," Fred warned her; "there might be a deer running
out from behind the brush that I might shoot."

"Do not shoot on such a beautiful night," the girl pleaded; "everything
is so peaceful, and the poor animals ought to enjoy their life, too, and
not always be in danger of being killed by men, beasts, and Indians."

"You are a little Samaritan," Fred laughed, "and a poet, too; well, if
I don't see anything, I won't shoot."

But nothing came in sight, and so within half an hour the children were
rapping at the door of the Governor's home. Here they were kindly,
received by the Governor and his wife, who urged them at once to lay
off their wraps and make themselves at home.

"We do not care to stay this evening, kind sir," Fred said; "for at
home father and mother are waiting for Matthew."

He handed the Governor the note, which he took and read.

"I see," he said; "so your father has declared his willingness to adopt
Matthew. That is very fine of him. I shall see him tomorrow and draw
up the papers."

"Where is Matthew now?" Agnes asked a little impatiently.

"He is at the home of the Reverend Mr. Davenport," Mr. Winthrop said;
"the good parson wanted to examine him with respect to his religious
opinions. But I trow they will be back soon, for they left quite a
time ago."

Fortunately the children did not have to wait long for Matthew, who
with the Governor's son John had gone to the pastor's manse. In the
meanwhile Mrs. Winthrop regaled them with baked apples and sweet cider.

"Well, Father," John said, as he came in, "Matthew