"If we were living in England," he said, "I, no doubt, would dissuade the children from making so hazardous a trip. But since I have lived in America, I have learned many a lesson. Here the people are different. They are men and women, while in years they still are boys and girls. They think in terms which in old England only mature men and women use. They are not afraid of anything. The forest is their home. Hard work is their pleasure. Enterprises are the topic of their conversation. The spirit of adventure is bred into their hearts. What shall we say of this peculiar and heroic generation? May the Lord keep them in piety; otherwise, we, trusting in our strength, will perish." "Your words are very true," Mrs. Bradley said; "but these children, thank God, are pious and unspoiled. 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. "What is this?" He immediately ran to the camp and called Matthew who was just rolling away the blankets in which they had slept. "Look, what I have found!" he said to the boy. "It's an Indian arrow!" "Where was it?" Matthew asked. "It was driven tightly into a tree, right next to where the Indian guide slept." "And where is the guide?" Matthew asked, growing pale. "I don't know," said Fred while his lips trembled. "Let us look for him," Matthew suggested. "No, let us go back to the camp, and get ready to leave," said Agnes. "This looks dangerous to me. Something is wrong." The children had traveled for six days without having been molested by any one. It was late in August, and all nature seemed bathed in peace. They had not met a single Indian, but found the villages deserted. This had somewhat surprised them, yet as nothing happened, they had not attached to it any importance. Only the guide had been suspicious. He was a Mohican, and a man of middle age, who was well acquainted with the ways of the Pequots whom he hated thoroughly. The old Indian servant who had attended to the horses had observed nothing, and he was greatly surprised when he was informed that the guide was missing. "I will look for him," he said. "No, you quickly pack the horses and get things in readiness, while Agnes and I will look for the guide. Matthew, you saddle the horses." "Come, sister," Fred said, "let us investigate this mystery. Perhaps the guide has only gone after a rabbit, wishing to prepare us a dainty surprise for breakfast."