“I am truly glad to see you,” said Colonel Markham, “and I trust your patron and my good cousin will soon arrive and take the command of the colony.”
“It is reported in Upland and the other settlements that his ship is on the way, and will soon be here,” said Wenlock.
“I am glad to hear it,” said the colonel; “and indeed, I am on my way back, hoping to meet him. But, tell me, who is that pale young man and the two seamen I have observed in the camp.”
“They were endeavouring to make their way through the forest, and lost it, as I did,” answered Wenlock.
“He speaks truly,” said Ford, who crawled up to where the colonel and Wenlock were standing. “I wished to join my friend, that I might, without delay, receive my directions from thee, Colonel Markham,” said Ford, “and well-nigh lost my life in the service of my fellow-creatures.”
“Well; I doubt not, when Governor Penn arrives due attention will be paid to the merits of all men in the colony,” said the colonel. “For my own part, I do not interfere in such matters.”
Colonel Markham having spent the remainder of the day at the camp, and rested there during the night, the Englishmen sleeping as securely as if they were in their own country, the whole party set forth for the settlements.