his ship is on
the way, and will soon be here," said Wenlock.

"I am glad to hear it," said the colonel; "and indeed, I am on my way
back, hoping to meet him. But, tell me, who is that pale young man and
the two seamen I have observed in the camp."

"They were endeavouring to make their way through the forest, and lost
it, as I did," answered Wenlock.

"He speaks truly," said Ford, who crawled up to where the colonel and
Wenlock were standing. "I wished to join my friend, that I might,
without delay, receive my directions from thee, Colonel Markham,"
said Ford, "and well-nigh lost my life in the service of my
fellow-creatures."

"Well; I doubt not, when Governor Penn arrives due attention will be
paid to the merits of all men in the colony," said the colonel. "For my
own part, I do not interfere in such matters."

Colonel Markham having spent the remainder of the day at the camp, and
rested there during the night, the Englishmen sleeping as securely as if
they were in their own country, the whole party set forth for the
settlements.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

Bristol was in those days the chief commercial city of England next to
London. It was the centre, too, of a district where large quantities of
woollen cloths were manufactured, which were sent forth to foreign lands
by the numerous vessels which traded to its port. In a large room
belonging to one of the principal merchants in the city, a number of
persons were collected. At the head of a long table sat William Penn,
while on either side of him were several friends,--Claypole, Moore,
Philip Ford, and many others. They were engaged in organising a
mercantile company, to which was given the name of the "Free Society of
Traders" in Pennsylvania. William Penn, the governor of the new colony,
was addressing them.

"I have secured, friends, a number of persons skilful in the manufacture
of wool, who have agreed to go forth to our new colony from the valley
of Stroud. From the banks of the Rhine, also, many persons conversant
with the best modes of cultivating the vine have promised to emigrate."

"We need not fear, then, for the success of our holy enterprise,"
observed Philip Ford; "and I am ready to embark all my worldly
possessions. I have already sent out my beloved son Jonas, a youth of
fair promise, and what thing more precious could I stake on the success
of our undertaking."

William Penn having made all his arrangements with the new company,