gazed down at the little girls, "if you won't
run us down we'll take you along that far. You can stay on the sloop,
Trull, till we get near the tip of the cape. 'Tis plain American children
are not easily frighted."

The sloop was now taken in tow, and although the little girls pleaded that
a boat be sent to find Amos, William Trull shook his head.

"'twill not do," he declared, "to ask it of the captain; and if the boy be
a smart boy he'll make his way home, never fear."

It was some comfort to Amanda to declare that Amos was the smartest boy in
the settlement; that he could make fire as Indians did, and that he knew
many ways of snaring birds and fish.

"Never fear for a boy like that," said the sailor.

Anne was eager to ask him if he knew anything of her father, and William
Trull owned that he did.

"'twas your father who some way got word to Newburyport and Portsmouth men
to be ready to fight," he said. "'twas cleverly done, they tell me, but no
one has found out how."

"I know," said Anne, "because I helped." Then remembering Captain
Stoddard's caution, she put her hand over her mouth. "I must not tell,"
she said.

The sailor looked at her in astonishment. "Even the children are
'rebels,'" he declared, "and helping when chance comes. 'Tis a great
country. I'll not question you, child, but I'll tell my little girls about
you, and that you helped to send the English home. Your own father will
soon be telling you how the Americans drove the English; but you must keep
a kind thought for me."

"Oh, I do wish you would stay and be an American, Mr. William Trull, and
bring your little girls to live in Province Town," said Anne.

"Who knows?" said the sailor. "It may be I'll be coming back with my
family. I like this country well. Your father will be coming to Province
Town soon, never fear," he added, "for now Boston port is open to all, and
the fishermen are going in and out as they please."

Amanda had not been much interested in what the sailor had to say. She was
thinking that Amos must be very hungry; and when William Trull climbed
aboard the big vessel and the sloop dropped behind near the Province Town
shore, she was greatly rejoiced.

It was not long that the "Peggy" was alone. Men on shore had been watching
and were quick to recognize the sloop, and a boat was sent out. Amanda
recognized that her father was in it, as well as Captain Enos and Jimmie
Starkweather, and called out in delight. There was