Narragansetts. This of course involved the settlers, and a deadly and barbarous contest was for some time carried on. Such was the relative situation of the colony and the two rival tribes of Indians at the time Mr. Mayhew and his party started. They embarked in a small canoe, and rowed down the sound during the day and following night, until they reached the mouth of the Connecticut river. Here they landed, and drawing up their boat, concealed it under limbs of trees cut down for the purpose. As their success, and even lives, depended upon the secrecy of their movements, they were obliged to travel during the night, and lie concealed throughout the day. They therefore hastily pushed on, that they might be as far as possible on their way before the day dawned. At morn they hid themselves in a deep cavern, which was well known to the Indian guide, and when the moon had gone down on the subsequent night, they again started. Scarcely was the mouth of the cavern reached, when the woods rung with a deafening yell, and a band of Pequots seized the unfortunate party. An Indian hunter had discovered their tracks during the previous day, and gathering to his assistance a few warriors, followed the victims to their hiding place. Being unable to trace them any farther, they knew at once that their prey was secured, and, like hungry tigers, they crouched among the bushes, till the hour when, with true Indian sagacity, they knew the party would come forth. But little resistance was made, and they were soon captured, not however until the father had fallen. The son and guide were hurried off, to suffer probably some more painful and horrible death.

We return now to the island. As soon as Mr. Mayhew and his son had departed, Hope immediately closed her little dwelling, and, with her assistants, was kindly received as an inmate in the family of her uncle. The absence of her relations was hourly mourned over, and their welfare as often prayed for. Beloved by the whole village, every one strove to chase away her grief, and render her situation happy. Yet the recollection of that morning, when a presentiment of coming evil crowded on her mind, darkened many a day, and the tear, unbidden, and even refused, glistened in her eye. Weeks passed, and no tidings came from the absent. "Perhaps," thought she, "they may be detained, and their business prove more successful than was anticipated: perhaps they may think it safest to return by the way of Plymouth; or they may be delayed in Boston, as it is the time of the assembly." Months rolled on, and they came not. Fear was gathering fast around her heart, and secret whisperings were abroad in the village, that Mr. Mayhew and his son must have been taken. The summer passed by, and still the little dwelling remained closed. Hope began to despair that they would ever come, and when, soon after, the news arrived that a Pequot who had been taken,

had informed of the capture and destruction of a party of whites, the description of whom corresponded with that of Mr. Mayhew, then it was that she realized her mournful situation; and a fatherless, brotherless, bereaved orphan, she poured out the agony of her soul.

From that hour she was an altered person. The timidity and bashfulness of the girl vanished; a dignity and firmness of action succeeded in their place. The first burst of sorrow, deep and heart-rending as it was, soon passed away, and it never returned. Not a tear again gathered in her eye,-she had wept away every tear she owned; nor did the lip quiver or the cheek blanch with thought. God was her strength. He had called her to the trial, and the cup He gave she refused not to drink. As she grew older, the horizon of life widened around her, sending up its thousand sunny reflections of coming joy. Every month lightened her, sorrow, and soon the last shadow of past scenes was apparently chased from the face of memory. And yet there was something mysterious about Hope. There were times when her spirit seemed too light and buoyant for one who had been so scorched with sorrow, and a kind of mocking laugh would break out from her lips, till the more sober villagers trembled at her levity. Years passed on, and the girl became the woman.

It was a lovely morning in the autumn of 1642, when an English ship dropped anchor in the outer bay. To the quiet villagers such a sight was truly a wonder. Never before had any thing larger than a canoe entered their harbor, and a ship was something of which the younger class had heard, but which they had never seen. Many therefore were the rumors concerning the cause of her appearance, nor was the mystery lessened when a light boat manned with twelve oarsmen rowed around the point, and dashed beautifully up to the sandy beach. At the helm sat the boatswain, and by his side a young man of about twenty three years of age, dressed in the full uniform of the English navy. The moment the boat reached the shore, disregarding all etiquette, the officer sprung upon the sand and hastily addressed the assembled crowd.

'Know ye, gentlemen, one Capt. Mayhew?'

6

'We did know him once,' said a grey headed puritan, who stood among the multitude like the prophet Elijah of old, but brother Mayhew hath long since departed to the Lord.'

'Sayest thou so, my father? Peace be to his ashes, for he was a good man, and one whom, though never seen, I have always loved. But I fear me that our visit to your island will be in vain, since it was for this same Ezekiel Mayhew that our gallant bark hath anchored, as you see, within your bay. He had a son: is he still living? if so, I may bear him good tidings.'

'Samuel, it is supposed, perished with his father among the Indians. He was a rash young man, and I fear was but little prepared to die. None of that family are left, except Hope, the daughter will it please you, sir, that she be called?

'Hope-Hope,' mused the officer, I know not of any other child beside the son; our commander has never spoken of her, and surely he cannot have forgotten. No,' he replied aloud, 'it were useless, as my commands were for the father."

He started for the boat, and soon rowed off to a short distance, when the men were observed resting upon their oars. Presently the direction of the boat's bow was changed, and a moment after the young lieutenant was again upon the beach.

Yes, yes! I will see Miss Mayhew,' said he to the patriarch, 'for though I have no direct business, yet it were well to say that I had seen the daughter of Ezekiel Mayhew.'

The crowd accompanied him to the residence of the maiden, the mystery still increasing with his movements. He entered, attended only by the venerable old man.

'Sister Hope, here is a young gentleman who has made enquiry for thy departed friends, bringing, as I think, some message to them. He would fain see thee, ere he left, as thou art the daughter of our lamented brother Ezekiel.'

'Welcome, sir,' said Hope modestly, 'to our little dwelling. We cannot give you that reception to which, doubtless, you have been accustomed, and yet you will find us kind to the stranger. But why, sir, this emotion? I pray you be seated,—the fatigues of the voyage must have overcome you.'

The moment the officer's eye fell upon Hope's countenance, he involuntarily started, colored, and seemed like one suddenly wounded.

'It is she!' thought he, but no! she is too young; and yet there is the same dark eye, the same laughing lip and angel brow.' 'Nay maiden,' said he aloud, 'it was but the thought flitting across my mind, that one like you should be thus left defenseless and alone.'

'Oh no! I am not alone: I have one left who is father, mother and brother to me.'

'Miss Mayhew, had your father any brother living at the time of his death?'

'He had one, Isaiah Mayhew, who still, by the mercy of God, remains with us. Were he taken from me, then should I be lonely indeed. Knowest thou my good uncle?'

'I do not, maiden. But was there no other brother of whom you have heard your father speak?'

My mother had a brother Henry, who, becoming weary of this rude wilderness, as he termed it, soon left for England, but

perished on the voyage. I have often heard his name mentioned by my sainted mother with tears, for he was very dear to her.'

'I must be mistaken,' thought the lieutenant, he cannot possibly be her uncle; there is no resemblance between them.’ Miss Mayhew, I must, according to my orders, now repair to the vessel, but will return this afternoon, bringing with me my honored commander.' So saying, he departed, and was soon aboard the frigate.

Long did Hope muse over that morning visit.

There was a

mystery about it she could not fathom, and, were the truth known, there were no ordinary flutterings of the heart and beatings of the pulse, as she recalled the fine form and noble countenance of the young officer. Nor was Edward Stewart perfectly at ease. He had supposed the colony to consist but of rough, unmannered men, nor had he dreamed that such a being as Hope existed among them. Alas, poor fellow, the first glance from those eyes had incurably wounded him. And too, there was the striking resemblance to the miniature he had accidentally seen in the state room of his captain: could they be related? He had never breathed her name, and would this be the case if he was aware of her existence ! The more Edward reflected the worse he felt, and he waited impatiently for the hour to arrive when he should again see the angel which had so unexpectedly crossed his path. Upon coming aboard, he had reported to Captain Drew the result of his visit, and as he mentioned the name of Hope, he thought he perceived a sudden emotion, which, however, if it did exist, passed instantaneously away.

Captain Drew was a small and somewhat deformed man, and one who, in the world's cant, would be called ugly; and yet he possessed so many redeeming qualities, that those who knew him, at once forgot his unsymmetrical figure, and soon loved him as a father and friend. From his youth he had been engaged in the naval service, and by his own merit, unaided by any noble blood, had gradually risen to his present station. There was a time when he became tired of his profession, and wished to abandon it, but unforeseen circumstances still bound him to the navy.

At the appointed hour, accompanied by young Stewart, he went ashore upon the island. They were received with every mark of respect, and it was with much difficulty that the crowd could be persuaded to permit them quietly to proceed to the dwelling of our heroine. It was however finally reached, and the maiden was standing at the door to receive them.

'It is certainly, sir, an undeserved compliment you pay me, in thus visiting a young girl who can offer you nothing but a puritan's friendship.'

'I have wished to see you, Miss Mayhew, since, as I learn, you are the only survivor of your father's family. He was a valued friend of mine, and with him I passed many of my happiest hours while at school. Our government ordered me to deliver him this package, which I doubt not would have been to him a double blessing. It contains his appointment from King Charles, as Governor of this colony, and also what perhaps would have been no less acceptable, a title to a large amount of property recently bequeathed to him. The former, of course, I must return; the latter is at your disposal.'

The package was opened, and taking out the appointment, the remaining papers he gave to the maiden.

'Now heaven shield me from temptation,' said she, 'I have sufficient to satisfy this poor body while it stays on earth, and why should I receive that which I cannot use, and which may prove a snare to my poor soul. Nay, I will not touch it! it seems to bode me no good. Take it back with you, and should no relative be found in England, share it yourself with this young man.'

'It is thine, and thine only, and no one can enjoy it save thyself.'

'Is it mine indeed? then here do I give it away. Surely I can do what I will with mine own.'

Without regarding her refusal, Captain Drew instantly interrupted her.

'Miss Mayhew, there is another subject upon which I wish to speak, and which, though painful in itself, will not, I trust, be without some pleasure. Know you the original of this miniature?'

'Oh heavens! it is she! it is, it is, my own dear, dear mother! How, where did you obtain this relic of my dear mother?'

'Be calm, my girl, be calm, and let not your feelings be thus excited by the sight of what I have perhaps too abruptly shown you.' His voice faltered as he spoke; his whole frame seemed struggling with emotion, until no longer able to control the sea that was raging within his bosom, he dashed aside his cloak and cap, and suddenly clasping the maiden in his arms, he exclaimed, Dearest girl, I am thy uncle Henry.'

เ

After the mutual gush of feeling had subsided, an explanation followed, by which it appeared that Captain Drew had providentially been saved from the wreck, and again had entered the navy. Knowing the worth of the husband of a sister whom he almost idolized, all his influence had been exerted in procuring for Mr. Mayhew the appointment of governor. As Mr. M. and his wife had supposed him dead, no enquiry, of course, was made after him, and he in turn was silent, that he might at last agreeably surprise them. The estate in England had belonged to a distant relative, who, knowing the difficulties with which the colony