"Can you take us to shelter?"
"I did once, and will again."
"You did once? Truly you mistake, for I never saw you before. My child will perish in this storm."
"It is five miles to my house; but if you will come with me I will show you the way."
They tried to dissuade Charles from going out into the driving storm; but he was not moved by their entreaties. He only saw the young maiden's pale, sweet face and appealing blue eyes, and he set off with the two through the storm, which beat about them so that they were quite wet to the skin when the house of widow Stevens was reached. The man and the maid were given beds and dry clothing.
Next morning, Charles asked the stranger:
"Are you not the man who came here in 1684, wounded?"
"I am not. I was never here before. What is your name?"
"Charles Stevens."
"Have you relatives in Boston?"