"Praise God from whom all blessings flow," Mr. Rawlins replied ardently, for he was a devout Christian. "I had never expected such a welcome."
"I just talked about help when you rapped at the door," Mr. Bradley explained, "telling the boys that I must venture out on expeditions myself in search of trade. With an old servant like you in the store, I shall now carry out my plan."
We must explain to our readers that while John Bradley was still in England, John Rawlins was his most trustworthy clerk and helper. He was now an old man, who had lived more than three score years, yet he was hale and hearty, and as enterprising as when he had served Mr. Bradley in England.
It was only after he had related his tale that Mr. Rawlins took notice of the children.
"What fine children you have, Mrs. Bradley," he said, "and how tall for their age! Why you never had any children when you left old England!" He looked at her with surprise.
"These are children which God sent us," the Woman explained, telling the story in words that would not offend the children.
"How wonderful!" the man exclaimed when he had heard the tale. "If such children like these grow here in the woods, I'll adopt a whole dozen. Come, now, tell me your names."
In a short time the children had become acquainted with the queer, old man who was so peculiar and yet so good.
"We are going to be playmates, my lads," said after a while, "and I will teach you some tricks from old England."
"And you, young lady," he continued, "I suppose you are a real miss, not afraid of Indians and lions and such like."