The Mayflower and Her Log Part 24

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

AUTHOR'S NOTE. Of the "Log" Of the MAY-FLOWER, the author is able to repeat the a.s.surance given as to the brief Journal of the SPEEDWELL, and is able to say, in the happy phrase of Griffis, "I have tried to state only recorded facts, or to give expression to well grounded inferences."

APPENDIX

In view of the natural wish of many of "restricted facilities," to consult for themselves the full text of certain of the princ.i.p.al letters and doc.u.ments which have imparted much of the most definite and valuable information concerning the Pilgrim movement, it has been thought well to include certain of them here verbatim, that they may be of ready availability to the reader. The list comprises copies of--

I. The Agreement of the Merchant Adventurers and Planters;

II. The Letter of the Leyden Leaders to John Carver and Robert Cushman (at London), May 31/June 10, 1620;

III. The Letter of Robert Cushman to John Carver (then at Southampton), Sat.u.r.day, June 10/20, 1620;

IV. The Letter of Robert Cushman to the Leyden Leaders, June 10/20, 1620;

V. The Letter of Robert Cushman to the Leyden Leaders, Sunday, June 11/21, 1620;

VI. The Letter of Rev. John Robinson to John Carver at London, June 14/24, 1620;

VII. The Letter of the Planters to the Merchant Adventurers from Southamp ton, August 3, 1620;

VIII. The Letter of Robert Cushman (from Dartmouth) to Edward Southworth, Thursday, August 17,1620;

IX. The MAY-FLOWER Compact;

X. The Nuncupative Will of Master William Mullens; and

XI. The Letter of "One of the Chiefe of ye Companie" (The Merchant Adventurers), dated at London, April 9, 1623--

Many other early original doc.u.ments frequently referred to in this volume are of no less interest than those here given, but most of them have either had such publication as to be more generally known or accessible, or involve s.p.a.ce and cost disproportionate to their value in this connection.

I THE AGREEMENT OF THE MERCHANT ADVENTURERS AND PLANTERS

Anno: 1620, July 1.

1. The adventurers & planters doe agree, that every person that goeth being aged 16. years & upward, be rated at 10li., and ten pounds to be accounted a single share.

2. That he goeth in person, and furnisheth him selfe out with 10li.

either in money or other provisions, be accounted as haveing 20li. in stock, and in ye devission shall receive a double share.

3. The persons transported & ye adventurers shall continue their joynt stock & partners.h.i.+p togeather, ye s.p.a.ce of 7 years, (excepte some unexpected impedimente doe cause ye whole company to agree otherwise,) during which time, all profits & benifits that are gott by trade, traffick, trucking, working, fis.h.i.+ng, or any other means of any person or persons, remaine still in ye comone stock untill ye division.

4. That at their coming ther, they chose out such a number of fitt persons, as may furnish their s.h.i.+ps and boats for fis.h.i.+ng upon ye sea; imploying the rest of their severall faculties upon ye land; as building houses, tilling, and planting ye ground, & makeing shuch comodities as shall be most usefull for ye collonie.

5. That at ye end of ye 7 years, ye capitall & profits, viz. the houses, lands, goods and chatels, be equally devided betwixte ye adventurers, and planters; wch done, every man shall be free from other of them of any debt or detrimente concerning this adventure.