an anxious crowd on the
beach, and Mrs. Stoddard and Amanda's mother ran eagerly forward to greet
the little girls, and to ask what had become of Amos.

It was soon evident that Jimmie Starkweather and the other boys were
inclined to be envious of Amos's good fortune; and when Mr. Cary made his
own boat ready to sail for Barnstable to bring Amos home Jimmie was very
proud to be selected to accompany him.

"How shall we ever feel safe about thee, child?" said Mrs. Stoddard, as
she and Anne walked toward home. "Are you always to be seeking your father
without telling us? If you had but waited you would have saved us all this
worry, and Amos would now be safe at home."

"But I have news, Aunt Martha," pleaded Anne. "Mr. William Trull told me
my father might soon be with us. I will not leave you again, unless,
indeed, you no longer want me."

"Of course we want you, Anne. But I have better news than the English
sailor gave you. Look! Here comes some one whom you will be glad to see,"
but before she had finished speaking Anne had sprung forward with an
exclamation of delight, for her father was coming down the path to the
shore.

"I came down in one of Mr. Freeman's fishing-boats," he explained, as,
hand in hand, he and Anne walked back to join Mrs. Stoddard. Anne danced
along happily, and Mrs. Stoddard smiled as she looked at the little girl.

"And now I hope for peace," declared the good woman. "Anne will not let
you go again, John Nelson. You will have to be content to stay in Province
Town."

The next day Elder Haven came to see John Nelson to hear more about the
great triumphs of the Americans; and when Anne's father told him of
Captain Stoddard's trip to Newburyport, with Anne carrying the important
message for the Newburyport patriots, the good clergyman held up his hands
in wonder. "She is a brave little maid," he said. "It should be put on
record that a maid of Province Town helped the Americans to win their just
cause against King George. Indeed it should."

"She is a brave child," agreed Captain Enos. "I was sure of it when I
heard her defend her father at the spring," and the good captain chuckled
at the remembrance of Anne's battle with the Cary children, who were now
her staunchest friends.

"Amos is safe home, and proud enough; he is lording it well over his
mates," said Elder Haven. "You must not run away again, Anne," he added
more gravely, resting a gentle hand on the dark head.

"No, oh, no!"