run alone, may trip along the path, and not often stumble over an
impediment, unless they stray from it to gather wood-berries beneath the
trees. And, besides the feet of grown people and children, there are the
cloven hoofs of a small herd of cows, who seek their subsistence from the
native grasses, and help to deepen the track of the future thoroughfare.
Goats also browse along it, and nibble at the twigs that thrust
themselves across the way. Not seldom, in its more secluded portions,
where the black shadow of the forest strives to hide the trace of human-
footsteps, stalks a gaunt wolf, on the watch for a kid or a young calf;
or fixes his hungry gaze on the group of children gathering berries, and
can hardly forbear to rush upon them. And the Indians, coming from their
distant wigwams to view the white man's settlement, marvel at the deep
track which he makes, and perhaps are saddened by a flitting presentiment
that this heavy tread will find its way over all the land; and that the
wild-woods, the wild wolf, and the wild Indian will alike be trampled
beneath it. Even so shall it be. The pavements of the Main Street must
be laid over the red man's grave.

Behold! here is a spectacle which should be ushered in by the peal of
trumpets, if Naumkeag had ever yet heard that cheery music, and by the
roar of cannon, echoing among the woods. A procession,--for, by its
dignity, as marking an epoch in the history of the street, it deserves
that name,--a procession advances along the pathway. The good ship
Abigail has arrived from England, bringing wares and merchandise, for the
comfort of the inhabitants, and traffic with the Indians; bringing
passengers too, and, more important than all, a governor for the new
settlement. Roger Conant and Peter Palfrey, with their companions, have
been to the shore to welcome him; and now, with such honor and triumph as
their rude way of life permits, are escorting the sea-flushed voyagers to
their habitations. At the point where Endicott enters upon the scene,