John Theodore Mueller

“ Agnes looked at him seriously. "Indeed," she said, "I do not, for I hate war. War is of Satan, and peace is of God. It is dreadful that People should kill each other, and this for the sake of money and gain. Had these Indians been treated kindly, they never would have gone on the war path. But the English traders deceived them, and the Dutch incited them to blooodshed. So here we are!"
"It is a pity," Matthew said; "and what a fine Sunday school we had! The children could sing, and praise Jesus as well as the white people. ”

“ Bradley would say; "the whole Colony is like one big family, though at times they do quarrel over religion and other things. Yet in general they are truly Christian people who desire to do what is right."
The husband assented. "Yes, our Massachusetts Colony is the most prosperous of them all. Every vessel brings hundreds of settlers, and the Indians live with us in peace and harmony. May God continue His blessings upon us, for we are not worthy of them." ”

“ Thus Fred and Agnes spent a very happy life in the Boston Colony, and they grew up to be strong and healthy, with a wisdom not gotten out of books merely, but which their varied experience taught them.
They could swim, skate, cover long distances over the snow by means of snow-shoes, shoot, ride horseback, and do almost all the things which the pioneers did.
Like all the Puritans they were well versed in the Bible, and they knew many hymns by heart, so that when they joined the church, they did this of their own accord and with firm convictions. ”

“ Then they stepped out into the clear, cold night, where they at once disappeared in the woods.
"How beautiful it is tonight," Agnes said as she laughingly passed her brother. "It makes me feel gay. I think I can beat you to the Governor's house."
"Stay behind me, Agnes," Fred warned her; "there might be a deer running out from behind the brush that I might shoot."
"Do not shoot on such a beautiful night," the girl pleaded; "everything is so peaceful, and the poor animals ought to enjoy their life, too, and not always be in danger of being killed by men, beasts, and Indians." ”

“ Matthew finally said, "will study theology under our new pastor, until I, too, may preach and teach and win souls for Jesus."
There were tears in the eyes of all, even in those of the rough soldier John Mason.
"If our young people are thus minded," he said, "we shall have no fear for the future of our colonies. We shall become a strong and powerful nation."
"If our young people are thus minded," said old, genial John Rawlins, "we shall have a large city here in the woods some time, with plenty of happiness and peace and wealth." ”

“ Agnes was a bit timid for a moment, but her sweet good nature asserted itself.
"I believe we must carry you," she said smilingly, "since you have no snow-shoes. Where we live is a good ways off, and we must wade through heavy snow."
"I cannot walk on snow-shoes," Matthew said bashfully, "but I wilt try my best to follow you."
"The snow is frozen pretty hard," Fred mused, "and I do not think you will break through. So let us go." ”

“ Matthew reflected; "all of love's labor is lost."
"War destroys, and peace builds up," Fred spoke calmly; "we must expect all this, and more. The end is not yet."
"What do you mean?" Agnes asked as she watched her brother's furrowed brow. "Do you expect trouble?"
"The Indians who burned this log house, are not far away," he whispered to her. "We must try to get to Hartford before they detect us."
"Let's talk it over quickly," Matthew suggested who in hours of danger was always impatient.
"Yes, let's do that," Agnes assented; "we'll hide our horses in the deep woods along the river. ”

“ Fred cried. "Away into the woods! The
Indians are coming."
Fortunately they found a deep ravine in the woods were they could conceal the horses.
"You stay here, till I come back," Fred said. "I will see who they are."
"I am coming along," Agnes ventured; "you cannot go alone on so perilous a mission."
"Stay back," the lad urged her; "this is a job for one man." But the girl would not listen, and so the two stole along the edge of the ravine hiding themselves as best they could.
Near the trail they climbed a huge tree from which they could look down conveniently. ”

“ And Matthew Bunyon is such a fine name! When can I see him?"
"You may this very evening, if you care to go to the Governor's house," said the kind father.
"Oh, then, let us go, Agnes," Fred said. "It will do him a world of good to let him know that he has a sister and a brother."
"And could he not come over this very evening?" Mrs. Bradley asked. "I surely would like to see him. Fred's bed is large enough for two to sleep in."
"Yes, bring him with you, Fred," Mr. Bradley said. "Only you must wait until I have written a note to Governor Winthrop, telling him of our resolution." ”

“ The servant covered the graves with leaves and so skillfully did he conceal the resting place that not even Fred could see where it was.
"We must now kill the horses," the boy said when all was finished.
"But why kill the horses?" Agnes asked. "Why, we can cover more ground on horseback than on foot."
"We must leave the trail," Fred answered, "and in the woods they will betray us. Also on horseback the Indians can see us the better and shoot us before we know they are near." ”

“ She mounted her pony and at once drove it into the stream; the other horses followed, urged on by the showers of blows which Fred and Matthew gave them. The crossing was dangerous, for the river was wide and the current swift. But after much struggling they got across and spurred their mounts up the bank.
"There is a trail that leads north," Agnes said; "let's find it. Loose the horses, and let me ride ahead."
"What a wonderful girl she is!" Matthew exclaimed; "she is a veritable leader."
Soon the boys heard the hooting of an owl, and they whipped their horses into a trot. ”

“ The boy's name was Fred, and he was eight years old; the name of his sister was Agnes, and she was seven.
They were strong and healthy children, but their frail mother could not stand the hardships of the voyage. For six years she had lived in anxiety, for in 1624 her husband had left England to settle in the plymouth Colony, which the Pilgrims had established in 1620. He was very sincere in his faith, and rather than stay in good old England and do what his conscience forbade him, he joined the sturdy emigrants who left their homes for the Lord's sake, as they were fully convinced. ”

“ In short, each emigrant was given some task to do, and the whole activity was superintended by Governor Winthrop, who led the men in wisely employing their time.
He was genial and affable, and even the humblest could go and speak to him. Though he was still a young man, yet he was like a father to every one. In spite of storms and many unpleasant things, the voyage was not altogether dreary, and when the emigrants finally landed, they thanked God heartily for the innumerable blessings bestowed upon them. ”

“ The Indians did not disturb them, for they knew that they could not escape, though they were not many in number, since they constituted only a scouting party, left behind the main body which had moved west to come back from the south and thus surprise the white men.
As soon as the children had hidden their horses, they sought a small cave which they had discovered the year before, and here they held a council.
"First," said Fred, "let us kneel down in prayer; for if the Lord will not guide our thoughts, we shall never escape." ”

“ Bradley asked.
"I will be a trapper and trader," Fred said proudly, "and will serve you faithfully und John Rawlins, so that Agnes and Matthew, who are not interested in this work, may have food and clothing."
"And I will be a school teacher," Agnes said, "and teach all the children that come, white or Indian, the blessed story of Jesus, besides other things. It is a noble calling, and one which deserves that many good children dedicate themselves to it with heart and soul." ”

“ Bradley came over from Salem, and selling his little farm in the forest clearing, started a business in Boston, where he dealt with the Indians, of whom he bought rich and costly furs, which they exchanged for such articles as the white people had to offer.
The Indians wanted cooking utensils, guns, and above all fire-water; guns were more effective than their bows and arrows when they were hunting wild animals, though later, when they became hostile to the white people, the governors did all in their power to prevent traders from furnishing them rifles and ammunition. ”

“ But not far up the river a settlement of white people had been made, and even now log houses were being built for the settlers. Agnes was anxious to have in her school also such white children as would come.
John Rawlins had superintended the erection of the fort, and as he was clever in making plans, he had done his work well.
"Shall we proceed with our Christmas program?" Agnes asked her brother; "the school is filled with people, and they are becoming impatient."
"No, let us wait," Fred replied; "our friends from Boston must be here any minute. ”

“ It is true, sometimes Fred longed to find out what became of his father, but in spite of all efforts made to ascertain anything about him, nothing was heard of him.
In those early times many a settler disappeared, and no one ever learned what had become of him. The woods were full of fierce animals, the Indians at times were hostile, and took revenge for real or imagined injuries which they suffered by killing innocent persons, for they regarded the Colonies as so many units, so that the wrongs inflicted by individuals were regarded as having been done by the whole community. ”

“ They all laughed while Fred shook his head.
"Never in my life," he affirmed.
"But where did the women come from?" Matthew queried. "I thought it was a scouting party, consisting only of men."
"That is true," Agnes explained; "but the scouting party was supplemented by other Indians from across the river. That is the reason why I urged you to cross the stream. The Indians are all over the other side, headed for the south where they are going to unite and attack the white men conjointly. I heard it all, for the women spoke about it, not knowing that I understood the Pequot language. ”

“ CHAPTER XII AGNES' STORY AND HARTFORD "We must not stay," the girl said, as soon as she had greeted her brothers. "The Indians will surely come back, and we must reach the other side of the river. I am glad you are here. Oh, how good the Lord is! I prayed for your deliverance ever since I was captured, but did not believe that the good Lord would hear my prayers and grant my request so soon."
"What do you want to do?" asked Fred.
"Tie the horses together, and swim the river. There are no Indians on the other side, and we can make Hartford easily."
"How do you know that?" Matthew asked. ”

“ So they rode out into the forests and made friends with the Indians, or they visited the other Colonies which were not far away. To the north there was the Salem Colony, and to the south, the old Colony of Plymouth, which was the mother colony of all the English settlements. On these trips they not only made many friends, but also became acquainted with the country and learned to lose all fear of white men and Indians.
One summer Fred, with the help of young Indian friends, made a boat, and he and Agnes rowed up the rivers and streams of which there were many. ”

“ They honor and respect their superiors; they are devout in their prayers and Bible studies; they care nothing for the sinful pleasures of the world; but I wish they would not go to dangerous Connecticut."
"We must entrust them to the Lord," said the good pastor; "perhaps some good will come out of this mission."
So after many a prayer and with many blessings, our three friends left their New England home, accompanied by an Indian guide and an Indian servant who had charge of the three pack horses.
CHAPTER VIII PEQUOT INDIANS "Hm," Fred muttered to himself, as he gazed around in wonder. ”