158 THE CRATER; " Very true ; but, Mr. Hornblovver naturally wishes to make them all churchmen." " It really seems to me, that he ought to be content with making them all Christians." " Perhaps he thinks the two identical necessary to each other/ added the governor, smiling on his charming young wife, who, in her own person, had quietly consented to the priestly control of her husband s clergyman, though but half converted to the peculiar distinctions of his sect, .herself. " He should remember, more especially in his situation, that others may not be of the same way of thinking. Very few persons, I believe, inquire into the reasons of what they have been taught on the subject of religion, but take things as they find them." "And here they find an Episcopalian, and they ought to receive him confidingly." " That might do with children, but most of our people came here with their opinions formed. I wish Mr. Horn- blower were less set in his opinions, for I am content to be an Episcopalian, with you, my dear husband ; certain, if the authority be not absolutely necessary, it can, at least, do no harm." This ended the conversation at that time, for just then the party reached the Peak. Little, however, did the go vernor, or his pretty wife, imagine how much the future was connected with the interest of which they had just been speaking, or dream of the form in which the serpent of old was about to visit this Eden of modern times. But occurrences of another character almost immediately at tracted their attention, and absorbed all the care and energy of the colony for some time. Scarcely was the party on the Peak, when the keen, lively eyes of the younger Brid get caught sight of a strange sail ; and, presently, another and another came into view. In a word, no less than three vessels were in sight, the first that had ever been seen in those seas, with the exception of the regular and well- known craft of the colony. These strangers were a ship and two brigs ; evidently vessels of some size, particularly the first; and they were consorts, keeping in company, and sailing in a sort of line, which would seem to denote
