consequences of his machinations. Wenlock,
however, could not remain long at Chester, having to proceed up to the
new capital, Philadelphia, to give an account of his mission to the
governor. He was received in the kindest manner by the governor, who
was living in a log hut while his intended residence, some way higher
up, was building.

"Here, my young friend," he said, pointing to a large sheet of paper
spread out on a table, "is the plan of our future capital. See, we
shall have two noble rows of houses fronting the two rivers; and, here,
a magnificent avenue of one hundred feet in width, which we will call
the High Street, uniting them with lines of trees on either side. Then
we will have Broad Street, cutting the city in two parts from north to
south, with a magnificent square of ten acres in the centre, and in the
middle of each quarter there shall be another square, each of eight
acres, for the recreation of the people, and we will have many detached
buildings covered with trailing plants, green and rural, to remind us of
the country towns of England. Already many houses have been put up, and
the people show a commendable energy in erecting more, as fast as
materials can be procured. To-morrow I have appointed for a meeting
with the native chiefs, to hold a solemn conference for the purpose of
confirming former treaties, and forming with them a lasting league of
peace and friendship. I am glad that thou art come, Christison, as it
will be a matter of great interest. Thou hast probably visited the spot
with my kinsman, Colonel Markham. It is called Sakimaxing, the meaning
of which is, `The place or locality of kings.'"

"Yea," answered Wenlock; "I accompanied him on more than one occasion,
when he had to make arrangements with Taminent. The natives hold in
great respect an ancient elm of vast size which, they say, is already
one hundred and fifty-five years old. Under its branches the tribes are
wont to meet to smoke the calumet of peace, and to arrange their
disputes."

"No fitter spot could have been chosen," observed Penn. "We hope, too,
that they will ever be ready to smoke with us the calumet of peace."

At an early hour the following morning, the governor, with his faithful
friend Pearson, and other attendants, men of influence among the
settlers, set forth on horseback to a spot where the conference was to
take place. It was an open space, close to the banks of the magnificent
Delaware. In