After a few days the Indian guide, who was in Mr. Bradley's service, arrived, and the letter was immediately read and discussed by the whole family at the dinner table. The message was encouraging. While Mr. Rawthis reported that the Indians were becoming more surly from day to day, he also expressed the opinion that there was no immediate danger, since the settlements were well protected, and the militia was well armed for war. But what was better than all this, was that the Englishmen were trying to conciliate the Pequots and to win their good will. "That decides the matter," said Fred gleefully; "we shall leave as soon as we can get ready." "But you, Agnes, must stay at home this time," Mrs. Bradley affirmed; "I won't let you go. The boys might escape, if danger should arise, but how can you bear the hardships which follow an Indian War?" "I must go along, Mrs. Bradley," Agnes pleaded; "why, how could the boys get along without me? Please, mother, let me go." "No, Agnes," Mrs. Bradley objected; "we must not tempt God, and I would wish that also you boys would not go. It is safer here than in Connecticut." "But, mother," Fred said; "there is no danger, and if we wait, until the world is a paradise of peace, we shall never accomplish anything at all in life." The upshot was that Mrs. Bradley finally permitted Agnes to go, and she was happy at the thought. When she was alone with Fred, she said to him, "Brother, your life is linked with mine, and I will never let you go alone. Where thou goest, I will go. United we will do what the good Lord will give us to do in this life." Fred kissed his sister tenderly. "You are as true as gold," he said, "and I would miss you greatly if you would stay at home." "There is no danger to fear," Agnes said; "the good Lord is everywhere, and we are in His hand. But I do not fear the Indians either; yes, I feel it to be my mission to conciliate and help them." So after a few days when their preparations were completed, they left the safe and comfortable home to take the trail that led to the forests. Their departure was somewhat delayed by the arrival of good Pastor Eliot, who came with his young wife to visit the Bradleys. He was a pious and good man, and he discussed the proposition, which the children had in mind, with conscientious care.