nk for a
certain tree which he believed had the power to give people health and
happiness. He found the deserted camp fires of the Indians, but, even
though no savages disturbed his hunt, he sailed away disappointed because
he could not find a sassafras tree."

"I believe I could find one there," boasted Richard, with a secret
determination to do so, "for I know how they look."

This was in the early summer of 1631. It was a happy day when they landed
on the New England shore close by the Mason Manor House, which had been
built eight years before. Then it was the only one for many miles. Now
some eighty men and women of many trades had come to settle about it and
to build another which they would call the Great House.

There was much to interest Samuel and Richard in the salt works and the
flakes where fish were dried, and in the fort which was built on the
hillock between the Manor-house and the ocean.

But a few days after landing, Richard, much troubled, hunted for Samuel,
whom he found fishing from the rocks.

"Sam, Mother's almost sick. Father says the voyage has tired her. He
thinks she's homesick, too. What can we do about it?"

Samuel dropped his pole and sighed, "I wish we could find a sassafras
tree."

"We will," cried Richard, jumping to his feet. "Father will let us go
with him to the place where they are working on the Great House. It is
several miles away, but we can hunt the woods there and camp with the men
until they come back."

Mr. Chadborn readily consented, not knowing what plan the boys had in
mind. But he warned them not to stray far, for, once lost, they were at
the mercy of the Indians and the wild beasts.

They made a long search always keeping within the sound of hammers.

"I'll keep the path while you examine that tree off there," they
constantly agreed, but never did they find one of the right kind. For two
days they searched diligently, glad to get back to the cornmeal cakes
and pea-porridge, and at night, quite as disappointed as Pring and
doubtless more tired, they fell upon the bed of boughs their father had
laid for them.

On the third morning Mr. Chadborn told them to keep within call, for they
were to return to the Manor that day.

Samuel thought quite seriously, while Richard lay on the ground
discouraged.

"What is it, Sam?" cried Richard, catching a gleam in his brother's eye,
and ready always to grasp at a suggestion.

"Let's make baskets out of bark from a birch