At the time when Agnes with Fred and Matthew made their summer trips in the Indian country. Pastor Eliot was not yet preaching to them; but the girl had learned from him how to tell the story of Christ in simple words which all could understand.
Agnes thus became the first missionary among the Mohican Indians in
Massachusetts. Later, John Eliot became famous as the "Apostle of the
Indians", for besides preaching to them, he translated into their
language the Bible and many other fine books.
Usually the children spent a week on their trip but at times when they had drifted far away from the Colony, they stayed away for two and even three weeks. Their foster-parents, however, never worried about them, for they knew that Fred was a brave leader, and that Agnes would not lose her way even in the densest forest.
By this time all three could handle such weapons as were used at that time, and though the guns were heavy and clumsy, none of them missed the object at which they aimed. So by the grace of God they always returned safe, and then they had many interesting stories to tell.
One evening as they had just related their tale of adventure, Mr. Bradley said, "I must secure some trustworthy person who can attend to my business when I am away. So far, I have not cared to entrust my store to any one here, but I must find some one, for I, too, must venture out to establish more trading posts. The furs are not coming in as fast as they should; there are too many traders elsewhere."
Just then some one rapped at the door, and when Fred opened he saw a huge man standing in front of him.
"Good evening," said the stranger somewhat timidly; "does Mr. Bradley dwell here? I was directed to this house."
No sooner had Mr. Bradley heard the man's voice, when he jumped from the chair and hastened to the door.
"Do my ears deceive me?" he cried. "Can it be you, John Rawlins?"
"Well, I declare," the man answered; "really, it is you, John
Bradley!"