ng their work
at the Connecticut river trading post was discussed.

"Of course, we will go, Mr. Bradley," Fred said when the question was
put to them.

"We have established friendship with the Indians; we speak their
language, and our little Sunday school scholars are surely waiting for
us," Matthew commented; "so why should we stay? We do not fear the
Indians!"

Nevertheless, Mrs. Bradley was much alarmed at the report of Indian
hostilities, and she objected to the trip in gentle but emphatic words.

"We must not send them," she urged, "until we have heard that the
country is safe."

"You are right, darling," her husband assented after a while; "money
does not mean much to me. The good Lord has blessed us abundantly, and
while my fur business is falling off somewhat, my trade in general
merchandise is increasing among the settlers."

So the matter was postponed, much to the dissatisfaction of the three
children who would have left for Connecticut that very day, had not
their parents restrained them.

"Wait, until we get news from Mr. Rawlins," Mr. Bradley finally
suggested, and to this all agreed.

After a few days the Indian guide, who was in Mr. Bradley's service,
arrived, and the letter was immediately read and discussed by the whole
family at the dinner table.

The message was encouraging. While Mr. Rawthis reported that the
Indians were becoming more surly from day to day, he also expressed the
opinion that there was no immediate danger, since the settlements were
well protected, and the militia was well armed for war. But what was
better than all this, was that the Englishmen were trying to conciliate
the Pequots and to win their good will.

"That decides the matter," said Fred gleefully; "we shall leave as soon
as we can get ready."

"But you, Agnes, must stay at home this time," Mrs. Bradley affirmed; "I
won't let you go. The boys might escape, if danger should arise, but
how can you bear the hardships which follow an Indian War?"

"I must go along, Mrs. Bradley," Agnes pleaded; "why, how could the
boys get along without me? Please, mother, let me go."

"No, Agnes," Mrs. Bradley objected; "we must not tempt God, and I would
wish that also you boys would not go. It is safer here than in
Connecticut."

"But, mother," Fred said; "there is no danger, and if we wait, until
the world is a paradise of peace, we shall never accomplish anything at
all in life."

The upshot was that Mrs. Bradl