and fertile lands along the Connecticut River, with fine opportunities
for fishing and trading; for this river, which in the North divides the
two states of Vermont and New Hampshire, flows through Massachusetts and
Connecticut, where it pours rich deposits of silt into the ocean.

For the early settlers the rivers were means of travel and traffic, and
we need not be surprised that so many of the Boston Colony left their
homes and sought out this new country.

In the course of time three settlements were made, the towns of Windsor,
Whethersfield, and Hartford. The last is now a flourishing city and the
capital of the state of Connecticut.

As soon as John Rawlins had acquainted himself with the intricacies of
Mr. Bradley's business, and knew all the prices of the various articles,
and could converse somewhat in the language of the Indians, Mr. Bradley
prepared for the expedition.

At first he wanted to go alone, but after a while he decided to take
Fred with him, who was well acquainted with the interior of the country.
Agnes begged so long, until she, too, was permitted to go. Then Matthew
hung his head and looked sorrowful, because he had to remain behind.
So he, too, was included. Finally Mrs. Bradley insisted on going also,
and so, what was originally planned as a little trip of one, became, in
the words of John Rawlins, a "huge earthly pilgrimage."

After all, however, Mr. Bradley would not have permitted the family to
go, had the expedition been connected with serious dangers, or had the
fur season been on. But as it was, the season was dull, and John
Rawlins did not have many customers.

He was one of the singular men of whom it is said that to know them is
to love them. His age gave him a certain dignity, and his height made
him tower above the heads of all ordinary persons. The Indians called
him the "tall oak," a name of which he was quite proud. He was kind to
the poor and humble but a terror to the bully, who tried to bluff him.
Every one who came to the store was treated with cordiality and
fairness, and Mr. Bradley knew that as long as John Rawlins was in
charge of the business, the management was in safe hands.

So on one bright morning in August the party started out on the
expedition. Two large, faithful dogs ran ahead, barking and jumping
with glee. Then came Fred and Matthew who knew the trail somewhat,
though for safety's sake they had secured a reliable Indian guide, who
walked alon