o feed the other children who are smaller than I. A friend of
my father's had promised to advance the fare, but when my parent died,
he withdrew the offer. My mother was willing that I should go. As soon
as I have earned enough money, I shall send it to England and have her
come here."

"That is a fine boy," Mrs. Bradley encouraged him; "but in the meanwhile
you will stay with us and shall be like a son to us."

"But by all means write to your mother in England," Mr. Bradley said,
and the lad at once promised to do so, being happy to be able to report
so wondrous an outcome of the venture.

However, the children were not allowed much time for conversation, for
by this time it had become quite late, and they had to repair to bed.
So they bade their elders good-night, and hurried off to their room.

Fred was glad when the new-comer after undressing and jumping into bed,
folded his hands and prayed his evening prayer.

"I am pleased that you do this," he said after he had finished his own
prayer; "now I can trust you the more and feel much more cordial toward
you."

"Father always insisted that we pray and read the Bible," Matthew
responded, "and when one has passed through the many experiences which
were crowded of late into my life, he needs no prompting. There is so
much comfort in it."

Soon the boys were fast asleep, each anxious to know what the next day
would bring to them. Only Agnes did not at once fall asleep. It was
Mrs. Bradley's custom to accompany her to her sleeping chamber and to
pray with her and cover her with the warm bed clothes. It was usually
at this time that the girl voiced whatever wish she had to communicate.

So when Mrs. Bradley kissed her good-night, she clasped her head and
whispered into her ear: "Will you not also get a little baby sister for
me, so that I can play with her?"

Mrs. Bradley smiled as she answered, "If the good Lord will send
another little orphan, we shall surely adopt her."

Then with a happy smile on her face the girl fell asleep.

CHAPTER IV

A HAPPY SURPRISE

Events moved swiftly along in the Colony, and in a short time two
fleeting months had passed. June came with sunshine, breaking buds,
rich, green grass, and general joy among the colonists.

After the long winter they set out with grateful hearts to clear more
land and plant more corn. The Colony was increasing from month to
month and required more ample supplies with which to feed t