Assisted by Janet—­the faithful servant who had nursed her children, and followed her from England to Holland, and from Holland to America—­ she soon arranged a bed for their patient; and Henrich smiled cheerfully, though languidly, when he found himself again beneath the humble roof that was now his home, and surrounded by all whom he loved.  His wound proved to be a severe one—­more so than his father had imagined; and the loss of blood had been so considerable that he was reduced to extreme weakness.  Now it was that Helen felt the absence of all the comforts, and even luxuries, to which she had been accustomed from childhood, but of whose loss she had hitherto never complained.  Henrich’s illness proved a very long and painful one; and notwithstanding the kindness of all her friends, and the attentions paid by the rest of the settlers to the young patient—­who was a general favorite—­it was difficult to procure for him either the food or the medical attendance that his case required:  and frequently his parents feared that a foreign grave would soon be all that would remain to them of their dearly-loved child.

To add to their anxiety and distress, an epidemic disease, of which some signs had appeared in the settlement before the exploring party set out, now increased to a fearful degree.  The stores which had been brought out in the crowded Mayflower were nearly expended, except such a stock as Captain Jones considered necessary for the voyage back to England:  and a great scarcity of bread began to be felt.  The animals, which they procured by the gun and the chase, were not sufficient to supply the wants of the settlers, and famine—­actual famine—­stared them in the face, and increased the violence of the pestilence.  Many sank beneath the accumulated evils of hardship, privation, and sickness, and the number of the little settlement was sadly reduced during the inclement months of January and February.

The constant care which was bestowed on Henrich at length proved effectual in healing his wound, and partially restoring his strength; and his parents had, eventually, the happiness of seeing that the a anger was past, and their son was restored to them.  They also had cause to acknowledge, with gratitude, that the affliction had been blessed to him as well as to themselves.  The elders of the community, who acted as the pastors of the infant colony, were unwearied in their attentions to their weaker and more distressed brethren.  They were, indeed, the physicians both of their bodies and souls; and Henrich was not neglected by them.  The excellent and venerable William Brewster was the intimate and valued friend of Rodolph Maitland and his wife.  He had been both their friend and adviser for many years of comparative peace and prosperity; and now that he shared their troubles and adversities, his ready sympathy, and active kindness, rendered him dearer to them than ever.