Part 11 (1/2)
”Why, then, if we are minded to tarry here, it were well befitting that we should continue the name, for our Plymouth brethren cheered and comforted us marvelously in our sad outsetting,” replied the governor, and Bradford added,--
”They were in very truth kinder than our own.”
”'T is a better harbor than English Plymouth can boast,” said Coppin turning to survey the bay.
”Harbor! English Plymouth's harbor is no better than a slaughter pen!
Not less than ten good s.h.i.+ps were pounded to pieces there in the last year,” said the sailor Alderton.
”Yes, 't is worse than the Goodwin Sands, if that can be,” echoed English.
”While here is a haven most artificially contrived for safety, with its overlapping arms and islands,” cried Clarke.
”Ay, the islands, Clarke's Island above all, are such as all England cannot match!” jeered Coppin, while Howland, followed by the rest, began to climb the bluff in front of them, choosing almost by instinct the easy ascent around its base, now known as Leyden Street. A little above the future site of the Common house they paused to take breath and to consult.
”Yes, here is cleared land enow for any crop we can plant in a year to come,” said Dotey, looking approvingly along Cole's Hill.
”And I hear the tinkle of water falling upon water,” cried Bradford gazing down toward the outlet of Town Brook. ”There must be springs yonder.”
”But fuel would needs be lugged on men's backs further than I for one could fancy,” grumbled Hopkins glancing at the woods nowhere very near.
”We can scarce hope for arable land and dense forest in one plot of ground,” remarked Winslow dryly.
”Let us march into the land and explore it fully,” suggested Carver.
”Every man should carry his piece with lighted match, but the rest of the gear may well be left in the boat under charge of the s.h.i.+pmen.
Master Gunner I advise thee to stay behind also. If we meet with the Indians and there is any opening for trucking I promise thee thy full share and advantage.”
”He who stays by the stuff shall share with him who goeth to the battle,” quoted Standish, who was well versed in what may be called the military history of the Bible.
”'T is a venerable law, Captain, and out of a faultless code,” replied Carver reverently.
”Come on, then, brethren!” cried Hopkins striding up the steep face of Burying Hill. The rest followed, and on the crest stopped to admire the magnificent view spread out in the clear light of the wintry morning.
”Yon is a sightly point for a town,” said Warren pointing to Watson's Hill.
”Too far from the sh.o.r.e,” replied Carver.
”And from those tinkling springs for whose water I already am athirst,”
added Bradford.
”Hm! hm!” growled Standish plucking at his beard and pacing to and fro; ”here is the place for a stronghold, Master Carver, just here where we are standing. See you now, from a breastwork thrown up hereabout and mounted with a minion or two a man could sweep off an army. 'T is but a pretty shot to the rock whereon we landed, and where any but a fool would choose to land, since it is the only dry-shod landing on the beach; and here we have Bradford's springs well in range, and this ascent by which we have clomb thither. Why, it is a little Gibraltar ready to our hand. Then if the salvages approach by land, from yon fair hill which Warren advises, our heavier guns will meet them half way, and our smaller metal mow them down at close quarters. We are well set forth in gun-metal, Governor, for I saw to it myself; not only minions, but sakers and falcons and bases, not to mention each man's piece, which I fain would have had all snaphances like mine own. Ay, we are well armed, and here is our fortalice.”
”But not to my mind our dwelling, Captain,” replied Carver pleasantly.
”Mind you, half our company are women and children, and it were hard for them to be cooped up in a fort or to descend and climb again this shrewd ascent whenever they were athirst. I say not but that a fortification here were admirable when we come at it, but methinks our dwellings were better placed under its protection than within it.”
”Along this course we have just trod from the rock,” suggested Winslow.
”And tending toward the springs,” added Bradford with a smile.