“But I have news, Aunt Martha,” pleaded Anne. “Mr. William Trull told me my father might soon be with us. I will not leave you again, unless, indeed, you no longer want me.”
“Of course we want you, Anne. But I have better news than the English sailor gave you. Look! Here comes some one whom you will be glad to see,” but before she had finished speaking Anne had sprung forward with an exclamation of delight, for her father was coming down the path to the shore.
“I came down in one of Mr. Freeman’s fishing-boats,” he explained, as, hand in hand, he and Anne walked back to join Mrs. Stoddard. Anne danced along happily, and Mrs. Stoddard smiled as she looked at the little girl.
“And now I hope for peace,” declared the good woman. “Anne will not let you go again, John Nelson. You will have to be content to stay in Province Town.”
The next day Elder Haven came to see John Nelson to hear more about the great triumphs of the Americans; and when Anne’s father told him of Captain Stoddard’s trip to Newburyport, with Anne carrying the important message for the Newburyport patriots, the good clergyman held up his hands in wonder. “She is a brave little maid,” he said. “It should be put on record that a maid of Province Town helped the Americans to win their just cause against King George. Indeed it should.”
“She is a brave child,” agreed Captain Enos. “I was sure of it when I heard her defend her father at the spring,” and the good captain chuckled at the remembrance of Anne’s battle with the Cary children, who were now her staunchest friends.
“Amos is safe home, and proud enough; he is lording it well over his mates,” said Elder Haven. “You must not run away again, Anne,” he added more gravely, resting a gentle hand on the dark head.
“No, oh, no!” replied Anne, “not unless my father and Aunt Martha and Uncle Enos go with me.”