“That is easily enough made, when people’s so inclined,” said Bill, fidgeting.  “If you’d be so good, sir, as just to point out the young woman to me, I might be beginning to like her, in the meanwhile.”

“Young? Nothing was said about that in the order, Bill.  You wished a wife, invoiced and consigned to yourself; and one has been shipped, accordingly.  You must consider the state of the market, and remember that the article is in demand precisely as it is youthful.”

“Well, well, sir, I’ll not throw her on your hands, if she’s old enough to be my mother; though I do rather suppose, Mr. Woolston, you stood by an old shipmate in a foreign land, and that there is a companion suitable for a fellow of only two-and-thirty sent out?”

“Of that you shall judge for yourself, Bill.  Here she comes, carrying a looking-glass, as if it were to look at her own pretty face; and if she prove to be only as good as she is good-looking, you will have every reason to be satisfied.  What is more, Bill, your wife does not come empty-handed, having a great many articles that will help to set you up comfortably in housekeeping.”

Brown was highly pleased with the governor’s choice, which had been made with a due regard to the interests and tastes of the absent shipmate.  Phoebe appeared well satisfied with her allotted husband; and that very day the couple was united in the cabin of the Abraham.  On the same occasion, the ceremony was performed for Unus and Juno, as well as for Peters and his Indian wife; the governor considering it proper that regard to appearances and all decent observances, should be paid, as comported with their situation.

About sunset of the third day after the arrival of the Rancocus, the Abraham sailed for the Peak, having on board somewhat less than a hundred of the immigrants, including females and children.  The Neshamony preceded her several hours, taking across the governor and his family.  Mark longed to see his sister Anne, and his two brothers participated in this wish, if possible, in a still more lively manner.

The meeting of these members of the same family was of the most touching character.  The young men found their sister much better established than they had anticipated, and in the enjoyment of very many more comforts than they had supposed it was in the power of any one to possess in a colony still so young.  Heaton had erected a habitation for himself, in a charming grove, where there were water, fruits, and other conveniences, near at hand, and where his own family was separated from the rest of the community.  This distinction had been conferred on him, by common consent, in virtue of his near affinity to the governor, whose substitute he then was, and out of respect to his education and original rank in life.  Seamen are accustomed to defer to station and authority, and are all the happier for the same; and the thought of any jealousy on account of this privilege, which as yet was confined to Mark and Heaton, and their respective families, had not yet crossed the mind of any one on the island.