Part 24 (1/2)
and a guard of half a dozen musketeers, met the king at the brook,
[The guard was probably made thus small to leave the body of the colonists as strong a reserve force as possible to meet any surprise attack on the part of the Indians. Colonel Higginson, in his Book of American Explorers, gives a cut of this meeting of Ma.s.sasoit and his pineses with Standish and his guard of honor, but it is defective in that the guard seems to have advanced to the hill (”Strawberry,” or later ”Watson's”) to meet the sachem, instead of only to ”the brook;” and more especially in that there are but two officers with the ”six musketeers,” where there ought to be three, viz. Standish, in command, Edward Window, as the envoy and hostage (in full armor), and ”Mr. Williamson,” the s.h.i.+p's-merchant or purser, as interpreter, perhaps acting as lieutenant of the guard.
It is always matter of regret when books, especially text-books, written by authors of some repute, and published by reputable houses, fail, for want of only a little care in the study of the available history of events they pictorially represent, to make their pictures and the known facts correspond.]
and they saluted each other, and the guard conducted the Sagamore to one of the new houses then building, where were placed a green rug and three or four cus.h.i.+ons. Then came the Governor with drum and trumpet, and a guard of musketeers, and they drank to each other in some strong waters, and the Governor gave the king and his followers meat, and they made a treaty in King James's name, and drank tobacco together. His face was painted a sad red, and his head and face were oiled, which made him look greasy. All his followers were more or less painted. So after all was done, the Governor conducted him to the brook, and his brother came, and was also feasted, and then conveyed him to the brook, and Master Winslow returned.
Samoset and Squanto stayed in the town and the Indians stayed all night in the woods half a mile away. The last of the colonists on board the s.h.i.+p went ash.o.r.e to remain to-day.
FRIDAY, Mar. 23/Apr. 2 At anchor. A fair day. Some of the s.h.i.+p's company went on sh.o.r.e. Some of the Indians came again, and Captain Standish and Master Allerton went to see the king, and were welcomed by him. This morning the Indians stayed till ten or eleven of the clock, and the Governor, sending for the king's kettle, filled it with pease, and they went their way? Making ready for sea, getting ballast, wood, and water from the sh.o.r.e, etc. The Planters held a meeting and concluded both of military orders and some laws, and chose as Governor, for the coming year, Master John Carver, who was ”governor” on the s.h.i.+p.
SAt.u.r.dAY, Mar. 24/April 3 At anchorage. The s.h.i.+p's company busy with preparations for the return voyage, bringing ballast, wood, and water from the sh.o.r.e, etc., the s.h.i.+p having no lading for the return. This day died, on sh.o.r.e, Mistress Elizabeth Winslow, wife of Master Winslow. Many still sick. More on the s.h.i.+p than on sh.o.r.e.
SUNDAY, Mar. 25/April 4 At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The fifteenth Sunday in this port. Many of the crew dead and some still sick, but the sickness and mortality lessening.
MONDAY, Mar. 26/April 5 At anchor. Bringing ballast from sh.o.r.e and getting s.h.i.+p in trim.
TUESDAY, Mar. 27/April 6 At anchorage. Getting ballast, overhauling rigging, getting wood, water, etc., from sh.o.r.e.
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 28/April 7 At anchorage. Same.
THURSDAY, Mar. 29/April 8 At anchorage. The Master offered to take back any of the colonists who wished to return to England, but none desired to go.
Getting in stores and ballast.
FRIDAY, Mar. 30/April 9 At anchorage. Hastening all preparations for sailing. Getting ballast, etc. Water b.u.t.ts filled.
SAt.u.r.dAY, Mar. 31/April 10 At anchorage. Setting up rigging, bending light sails, etc. Getting ballast and wood from the beach and island. The colonists have lost thirteen by death the past month, making in all half of their number.
SUNDAY, April 1/11 At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The sixteenth Sunday the s.h.i.+p has lain at anchor here, and to be the last, being nearly ready to sail. Most of the crew ash.o.r.e on liberty. In the sixteen weeks the s.h.i.+p has lain here, half of her crew (but none of her officers) have died, and a few are still weak. Among the petty officers who have died have been the master gunner, boatswain, and three quartermasters, beside the cook, and more than a third of the sailors. A bad voyage for the owner, Adventurers, s.h.i.+p, and crew.
MONDAY, April 2/12 Still at anchor, but making last preparations for voyage. s.h.i.+p's officers made farewells on sh.o.r.e. Governor Carver copied out, and Giles Heale and Chris.
Jones witnessed, Master Mullens's will, to go to England.
TUESDAY, April 3/13 Still at anchorage, but (near) ready to sail with a fair wind. Master Williamson, the s.h.i.+p's-merchant [purser], appointed by Master Mullens an overseer of his will, takes copy of same to England for probate, with many letters, keepsakes, etc., etc., to Adventurers and friends. Very little lading, chiefly skins and roots. Make adieus to Governor Carver and company.
WEDNESDAY, April 4/14 Still at anchor in Plymouth harbor. Sails loosened and all ready for departure except Governor's letters. Last visits of sh.o.r.e people to s.h.i.+p. Sail with morning tide, if wind serves. One hundred and ten days in this harbor.
THURSDAY, April 5/15 Got anchors, and with fair wind got underway at full tide. Many to bid adieu.
Set colors and gave Planters a parting salute with the ensign and ordnance.
Cleared the harbor without hindrance, and laid general course E.S.E. for England with a fine wind. Took departure from Cape Cod early in the day, shook off the land and got s.h.i.+p to rights before night. All sails set and the s.h.i.+p logging her best.
And so the MAY-FLOWER began her speedy, uneventful, homeward run, of but thirty-one days, arriving in England May 6, 1621, having been absent, on her ”round voyage,” from her sailing port, two hundred and ninety-six days.
THE END OF THE VOYAGE AND OF THIS JOURNAL