The Captain’s share, however, was enough to make him comfortable for the rest of his days.  It also enabled him to fulfil his promise to his wife, by building a “fair brick house,” in the Green Lane of Boston.  The Duke of Albemarle sent Mrs. Phips a magnificent gold cup, worth at least five thousand dollars.  Before Captain Phips left London, King James made him a knight; so that, instead of the obscure ship-carpenter who had formerly dwelt among them, the inhabitants of Boston welcomed him on his return, as the rich and famous Sir William Phips.

Chapter XI

“Sir William Phips,” continued Grandfather, “was too active and adventurous a man to sit still in the quiet enjoyment of his good fortune.  In the year 1690, he went on a military expedition against the French colonies in America, conquered the whole province of Acadie, and returned to Boston with a great deal of plunder.”

“Why, grandfather, he was the greatest man that ever sat in the chair!” cried Charley.

“Ask Laurence what he thinks,” replied Grandfather with a smile.  “Well; in the same year, Sir William took command of an expedition against Quebec, but did not succeed in capturing the city.  In 1692, being then in London, King William the Third appointed him governor of Massachusetts.  And now, my dear children, having followed Sir William Phips through all his adventures and hardships, till we find him comfortably seated in Grandfather’s chair, we will here bid him farewell.  May he be as happy in ruling a people, as he was while he tended sheep!”

Charley, whose fancy had been greatly taken by the adventurous disposition of Sir William Phips, was eager to know how he had acted, and what happened to him while he held the office of governor.  But Grandfather had made up his mind to tell no more stories for the present.

“Possibly, one of these days, I may go on with the adventures of the chair,” said he.  “But its history becomes very obscure just at this point; and I must search into some old books and manuscripts, before proceeding further.  Besides, it is now a good time to pause in our narrative; because the new charter, which Sir William Phips brought over from England, formed a very important epoch in the history of the province.”

“Really, Grandfather,” observed Laurence, “this seems to be the most remarkable chair in the world.  Its history cannot be told without intertwining it with the lives of distinguished men, and the great events that have befallen the country.”

“True, Laurence,” replied Grandfather, smiling, “We must write a book, with some such title as this,—­memoirs of my own times, by grandfather’s chair.”

“That would be beautiful!” exclaimed Laurence, clapping his hands.