would make them so comfortable!"
Perched on a salt-cask close to the pile she was soon absorbed in her own
plans, which were quickly completed. Jumping down she excitedly ran to
explain them to her mother, who had been watching the trading from the
doorway of their home. Becky stood on tip-toe, awaiting her mother's
decision. After a moment's thought, it came. The child rushed indoors and
soon returned with her still beautiful beaver-skin.

"Captain Neal," she cried, before she had fairly reached him. "How many
of these pappoose coats will you trade for this beaver?"

"You may have all for such a skin as that," he exclaimed as he stroked
the soft fur.

With the five coats in her own possession, proud little Becky begged her
mother's help. Together they fitted them to the five smallest Indian
children. Trading ceased for a moment, while all eyes turned to the funny
sight of these wild little creatures in English clothing. The settlers
and seamen laughed aloud, while even the stolid faces of the old warriors
looked pleased.

COATS, SHIRTS, AND KETTLES.

During the winter of 1637-8, at least three feet of snow remained on the
ground from November 4th until March 5th. Broken ice was still in the
rivers, when in March a coaster started from Boston with Mrs. Wheelwright
and her five children and also friends of hers with their children.

Little Thomas, quite as round as the small iron kettle which he carried
under his plump arm, trudged up the plank to the deck.

"Mother, see what Tom has!" exclaimed Susan with some disgust.

"Never mind, child," came the tired reply. "That kettle was forgotten in
packing, and, if it pleases him, do let him keep it."

There were children enough on board to make the party a merry one in
spite of the sharp cold winds. The vessel turned northward, rounded the
coast to the Piscataqua River, and pushed its way among the ice chunks
even into Great Bay, not stopping until it came to the foot of the falls
in Squamscot River.

The Rev. John Wheelwright and several of his followers had already spent
the winter about Piscataqua. The rough cabins, now built for their
families, were not so comfortable nor so well furnished as the home
Rebecca Gibbons had found at Newichewannock.

The children were delighted with the wild woods. The month gave them some
warm spring-like days, and they soon established a play camp for
themselves not far from the cabins. Edward and Joseph built a wigwam