A number of outrages had been perpetrated already, and the pioneers were lashed into fury over the horrid tales which were related.
Our three friends were received with open arms; no one manifested greater surprise than John Rawlins, who had gotten as far as Hartford, where he was confined to his bed by a severe attack of rheumatism, which made him as helpless as a child. He had now recovered sufficiently to limp about, but he was still in a bad shape so that he could not be of much service to any one.
"Your presence here will make me well in a short time," he exclaimed joyfully as he embraced the children. "And I am sure you have a real story to tell."
But how great was his surprise when he learned from the children the war plan of the Indians. Why, that is real news, for which we have been looking all this while. We were all interested in what the Indians would do. Tomorrow you must go to good Captain Mason and relate to him what you know. That will greatly help him in freeing the country from the Indian pest.
"Yes, tomorrow," said Agnes; "for tonight we are too tired, and the matter does not press."
For the first time after a long, long trip they slept as white men do, in real beds, protected by American soldiers.
CHAPTER XIII
THE VICTORY OVER THE PEQUOTS
The next morning the children had occasion to meet Captain John Mason, that gallant Indian fighter, who was to suppress the Indian uprising. He was a trained soldier, and thoroughly understood the principles of warfare, not only among the whites, but also as these could be best applied to the Indians.
He was a rough and burly man, though kind to the helpless and weak. At present he was busy with reforming the Colonial methods of defense against the Indians.