A Beginner's History. William H. Mace
What did Smith learn about the Indians? 6. Show how Pocahontas was a friend of the colony. 7. Tell the story of George Calvert, Lord Baltimore. 8. How was the colony different from that at Jamestown? 9. Picture the settlers at St. Mary's. 10. What town did the Puritans establish? 11. When was the richest and most important town in Maryland settled, and after whom was it named? 12. Why were slaves brought to Virginia? 13. Tell the story of Blackbeard.
Suggested Readings. Smith: McMurry, Pioneers on Land and Sea, 68–102; Hart, Source Book, 33–37; Higginson, American Explorers, 231–246.
Baltimore: Pratt, Early Colonies, 132–137; Smith and Dutton, The Colonies, 39–50; Sparks, American Biography, 5–229.
PILGRIMS AND PURITANS IN NEW ENGLAND
MILES STANDISH, THE PILGRIM SOLDIER, AND THE STORY OF "PLYMOUTH ROCK"
They board the "Speedwell"
The Pilgrims' dearest country
43. The Pilgrims. Persecuted for their religion in England, the Pilgrims first went to Holland. There they wandered from place to place, finally settling in the city of Leiden. But they saw that they could not keep their own language and customs among the Dutch, so they decided to go to America and found a colony of their own. John Carver, William Bradford, William Brewster, and Edward Winslow were the leaders of the little band that had chosen to go on the long and dangerous journey. The parting was sad. Eyes were wet with weeping and voices were choked with sorrow as the last words were spoken before going on board the Speedwell. Even the Dutch bystanders were moved to tears. Listen to the words of Bradford: "So they left that goodly and pleasant city which had been their resting place nearly twelve years; but they knew they were Pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lifted up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits."
The Speedwell carried them across to England, where they found the Mayflower.
The "Mayflower" carried the Pilgrims to America
In August, 1620, the two ships spread their sails for America. Twice they were forced to return—once after they had sailed three hundred miles—because the Speedwell was leaking, and her captain declared she would sink before reaching America.
Storms did not drive them back
Finally the Mayflower, with one hundred two Pilgrims on board, started alone. Not many days passed before great storms overtook her. The waves rolled over her deck and threatened to swallow her. For many days the passengers had to spend nearly all the time below deck, not knowing what moment would be their last. Strained by the storm, the Mayflower also began to leak, but the stout-hearted Pilgrims would not turn back.
EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS
After the original painting by Charles West Cope
How they missed the Hudson
Signing the compact
44. Landing of the Pilgrims in America. For days at a time, during the storm, the ship could not use her sails and was driven far out of her course, to the northward. The Pilgrims had intended to land near the mouth of the Hudson, but on November 20, 1620, the little band of exiles found themselves looking with glad hearts upon the sandy but heavily-wooded shores of Cape Cod. How they poured out their hearts in gratitude that they had crossed the stormy sea in safety! The men all gathered in the little cabin of the Mayflower to sign a compact or an agreement in regard to the government of the colony. Then they elected John Carver their first governor.
THE "MAYFLOWER" AND THE "SPEEDWELL" IN DARTMOUTH HARBOR
It was to this harbor the Pilgrims returned to repair the leak in the "Speedwell"
Everybody was now anxious to get on shore. Captain Miles Standish, with an exploring party of sixteen men, each armed with a sword and a musket and equipped with a corselet, waded ashore through the ice-cold water and disappeared in the dark forest in search of a good place to plant the colony.
Miles Standish and his men explore the region
For three days they tramped through forests, up and down hills, and along the sandy coast, but found no suitable place. They found springs, however, and ponds of fresh water, and some Indian mounds containing stores of corn. What should they do, take the corn, or leave it and run the risk of starvation? They decided to take only enough to plant in the spring. They afterwards paid the owners double for what they had taken.
They learn to set snares
Everywhere they saw flocks of wild fowl, good for food, and the tracks of wild deer. While Bradford was examining an Indian snare set for game he found himself suddenly swinging by one leg in the air. They had a hearty laugh, and learned a new lesson in the art of catching game!
READING THE COMPACT ON BOARD THE "MAYFLOWER"
Their first Indian battle
Twice again Standish led his little company to search out a place. On the third trip, as they were at breakfast, their ears were suddenly filled with the most fearful shouts. A shower of arrows fell near them. It was an Indian attack. Captain Standish and his men seized their guns and fired at the red men as fast as they could. Happily, the Indians, frightened by the roar and smoke of English muskets, ran away before any one was killed on either side.
Plymouth Harbor chosen
"Plymouth Rock"
On this trip they found the harbor of Plymouth, which John Smith had explored and named several years before. Its shore was now to become their home. They immediately hastened back to the ship to tell the good news, and in a few days the Mayflower carried the Pilgrims into Plymouth Harbor. The little party landed on December 21, 1620, and that day is still celebrated as "Forefathers' Day." The story is that when they landed they stepped on a large stone—a bowlder, itself a "pilgrim"—brought there by the mighty ice sheet ages ago. This bowlder is called "Plymouth Rock," and may still be seen in Plymouth.
45. Their Home in the Forest. Although it was winter, the men immediately began to chop down trees and build a great log storehouse which could be used for a hospital and for worship.
Building a town in the woods
Then they began building their own homes. They cut down the trees, sawed off the logs, hewed them roughly, and then dragged them by hand to the place where the house was to stand. When the logs were ready the men lifted them up by hand, or when the walls grew too high for lifting they slid them up "skids."
The roof was made of boards which had been split from logs of wood. These were held in place by smaller logs. The wind and rain were kept out by "chinking" or daubing the cracks between the logs with mortar. The windows were few and small, for they had no glass and used oiled skins instead.
This first winter in America