The Founding of a Nation Vol 1 (1915)

8/14/2019 The Founding of a Nation Vol 1 (1915)

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Jfounbtng of a Jetton


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tEfjeJfounbms of a JlattonTHE STORY OF THE PILGRIM FATHERSTHEIR VOYAGE ON THE MAYFLOWERTHEIR EARLY STRUGGLES, HARD-

SHIPS AND DA N :;F RS, AND TH KBEGINNINGS OF AMKRI-CAN DKM'K RACYAS TOLD IN THE JOURNAL

No ship of state, no argosy of the sea, ever bore a cargo so preciousto humanity as did this lone Pilgrim ship - the Mayflower.

THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANYCLEVELAND: 1915


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CijeJfounbmg of a JlattonTHE STORY OF THE PILGRIM FATHERSTHEIR VOYAGE ON THE MAYFLOWERTHEIR EARLY STRUGGLES, HARD-SHIPS AND DANGERS,AND THEBEGINNINGS OF AMERI-CAN DEMOCRACY

AS TOLD IN THE JOURNALS OF FRANCIS BEAUMONT, CAVALIER

BYFRANK M. GREGG

VOLUME I

THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANYCLEVELAND: 1915


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COPYRIGHT, IQiSl BYFRANK M. GREGG


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3Co mp WiittA patient and kindly criticA pilgrim in faith and courage


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ContentsFOREWORD 13LEAVING MY ANCESTRAL HALL 21EVENTS WHICH DECIDE ME TO LEAVE ENGLAND . . 29THE EMBARKATION 51THE STORM AT SEA 77THE MAID OF LEYDEN 89THE REVOLT OF THE LONDON MEN .... 107THE SIGNING OF THE COMPACT 119THE FIRST LANDING 135THE FIRST EXPEDITION OF DISCOVERY . . . . 151THE SECOND EXPEDITION OF DISCOVERY . . . . 179THE THIRD EXPEDITION OF DISCOVERY .... 203LOCATING THE COLONY AT PLYMOUTH .... 229THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS 255FEAR OF INDIAN ATTACK 285PROGRESS OF THE PLANTATION 313


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illustrationsTHE STORM-TOSSED MAYFLOWER .... Frontispiece

From original painting by Lucius W. Hitchcock.EXPEDITION FOR THE FIRST DISCOVERY . . . . 153EXPEDITION FOR THE SECOND DISCOVERY . . . . 183EXPEDITION FOR THE THIRD DISCOVERY .... 205

The above three maps have been drawn entirely anew, based upon therecorded facts and a special study of the vicinity.THE MAYFLOWER ENTERING PLYMOUTH HARBOR . . 235From the original oil-painting by W. F. Halsall in the collection of Pil-

grim Hall and here reproduced through the courtesy of the Pilgrim Society.SCROOBY, ENGLAND, THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE PILGRIMCOLONY 257


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jforetoorbThis story is a narrative-history of the Pilgrims of

Plymouth. Though not entirely in accordance withpopular traditions, which in many instances are erro-neous, it is in accordance with historical facts.To thoroughly understand the historical setting, it isessential that one discriminates between the Pilgrimsand the Puritans, often confounded in the popular mindas being one and the same, when as a matter offact they were entirely different. To properly inter-pret these differences one must understand that thecolonists of the Mayflower were Englishmen of theperiod of 1608. Whilst the Puritans of the Massachu-setts Bay colony (Salem and Boston) were Englishmenof the period of 1628. The name "Pilgrims" was givento the Plymouth colonists by Governor William Brad-ford, who was a passenger on the Mayflower. Thename "Puritans" was applied to the church and statereformers of all classes in England in the early part ofthe seventeenth century by the supporters of the courtand king.When the Pilgrims fled from England to Hollandin 1608, the Stuart dynasty had not fully developed itsdespotic theory of the divine right of kings. The com-moners at this period were still loyal. The Pilgrims,themselves, attributed their persecutions to the bishopsof the established church and not to the king. But in1628 Kings James I and Charles I had denied many of


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14 gEfle Jfounfting of a Rationthe ancient rights of the English parliament and peo-ple; and disloyalty was rife throughout the nation.

It is evident, therefore, that the men of these twoperiods were not impelled by the same motives. ThePilgrims came to America to enjoy religious freedom.The Puritans came to America to enjoy political as wellas religious freedom. Considering the conduct of thetwo colonies in after years toward the mother country,it is reasonable to assume that at no time during the lifeof the Plymouth colony could the Pilgrims have writtenthe Declaration of Independence. On the other hand,at almost any time between 1628 and 1776 the Puritanscould have framed that famous document of politicalfreedom.One fundamental difference between the Puritans

and the Pilgrims was their attitude toward the Churchof England. While the Puritan did not agree withall the forms and rituals of the established church, hesteadfastly refused to leave it. His attitude was thatthe church could be reformed more quickly from with-in than from without. Even that sturdy old MasterPuritan, John Winthrop, on the eve of sailing forAmerica issued the Yarmouth Declaration, swearinghis lasting allegiance to the "dear mother church." ThePilgrim on the other hand first separated himself fromthe established church and then, rather than worshipcontrary to his conscience, was compelled to leave hisnative land.The term "Separatists," which was so contemptuously

applied to the Pilgrims was literally true. It is alsotrue that his first thoughts of democracy grew out ofthis church dissension. While still living in England,the Pilgrims gave expression to the broad principle that


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Jforetoorb 15the people did not require a bishop of the establishedchurch to select their preacher, but on the other handthey were perfectly capable of choosing their own. Thisdoctrine so startled King James I, that he exclaimed,"No bishop would soon mean no king!"Not only did the Pilgrims and Puritans differ in thefundamentals of church, but in matters of state as well;for the Pilgrims held that church and state should beseparated. Any respectable man in Plymouth could bea free man and vote whether he was a member of thecongregation or not. Captain Miles Standish, one ofthe most prominent men of the colony, was never amember of the church. The Puritans of Salem andBoston, however, vigorously held that only members ofthe church had the rights of free men and the power tovote. In their minds the church and state were one.The result was that the Pilgrims had a liberal form ofgovernment, whilst the Puritan developed a theocracysternly despotic.The liberal spirit of Plymouth was never better dem-onstrated than during the witchcraft frenzy which fora time completely prostrated its more powerful neigh-bor. While Salem and Boston were hanging witches,Plymouth would have none of it. When Dinah Syl-vester told her story in the court at Plymouth, of howshe saw her neighbor, Mrs. Holmes, in conversationwith the devil in the form of a bear, she was promptlyfound guilty of slander and was ordered to be publiclywhipped or pay Mrs. Holmes five English pounds.Some years afterward a second case was tried in Ply-mouth but the accuser was laughed out of court. Thesewere the only two cases of witchcraft in this colony.The social position of the Pilgrims was of little con-


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1 6 Cftc Jfo tint)ins of a Rationsequence. They were a simple country folk. Gov-ernor William Bradford, the one great authority ofthese people, says of them, "They were not acquaintedwith trades, nor traffic, but had been used to a plaincountry life and the innocent trade of husbandry."For twelve long years they had labored together inHolland. Without means to carry forward theirexodus into the American wilderness, they turned to acompany of London merchants for aid. Their onlycollateral was the pledge of the labor of their hands forseven years in the forests. After many grievous disap-pointments they sailed on one ship. Most of them werewithout arms, and their poverty was so pressing theydid not even have extra leather soles for their shoes.Yet it fell to the lot of these men, who lived in log hutsand fed upon the bread of corn, to found a nation.On the other hand the Puritans included many of thegentry. Some even were personages of wealth and in-fluence. When Governor John Winthrop and his Puri-tan associates sailed for Massachusetts Bay from Yar-mouth, April, 1630, there were ten vessels in the fleet.Ample food was aboard. There were numerous sheep,swine, cattle, and horses. Everything had been pro-vided to make the colonists comfortable and contentedin the new country. If John Josselyn, who was in thecolony in 1635, IS to be believed, the total value of thecargoes of this Puritan fleet was upward of one milliondollars -immeasurable wealth compared with the bank-rupt voyagers of the Mayflower.That the Pilgrims and Puritans were not one and thesame has long been recognized by students of American

history. But the average person still thinks of them asone people. The Pilgrims and the Puritans had many


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jforetoorb 17points of similarity: both were men of the Bible; bothwere men of exacting consciences ; both wished reformswithin the established church. Failing in this the oneparty, weak and friendless, fled to Holland and thenceto America, where for eight years it strove in the wil-derness to perfect its state and church. When all was inreadiness for the opening of the second chapter in thestruggle for democracy, the Puritans strong and self-reliant, sailed into the quiet waters of MassachusettsBay, prepared to carry on the work. Though laboringunder different conditions and harboring other ideas,both were Englishmen striving for freedom.

It has been necessary to go into details of the vari-ances and similitudes of these two peoples, since it isessential that the reader put aside many erroneous tradi-tions and prejudices to intelligently interpret this story.It is only necessary now to remember that the Pilgrimswere Englishmen. They feasted and fasted, enter-tained and were entertained, they laughed and cried,they played at games, they loved, they sang, they hated,they committed crimes -in fact they were human. Butbeing ruled by their consciences, they were fearless inthe right and sternly set against the wrong.Much of the history, romance, and tradition now ex-isting in the minds of the American people is foundedupon Longfellow's beautiful poem, "The Courtship ofMiles Standish." Unfortunately this poem was writtenseveral years before the discovery of the lost manu-script of Governor William Bradford entitled Historyof the Plimoth Plantation. In the light of the materialextant at the time, no doubt the historical facts of thispoem were accurate. In the light of the Bradford man-uscript it is far from being so. Longfellow had no


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1 8 Cfte Jfounbmg of a Stationmeans of knowing that his hero, John Alden, was nota member of the colony, but was a cooper by trade,who was picked up on the docks of Southampton andwent on the voyage to America under a year's contract.Priscilla Mullins was the daughter of Master WilliamMullins, a London merchant, who was an adventurerin the voyage. Her father, mother, brother, and ser-vants all died in the "great sickness," leaving her alone.The bridal journey on the bull's back, so graphicallydescribed, historically was impossible as there were nocattle in the colony until several years later.The Mayflower brought over some of the noblest ofmen and women, and likewise some whose characterswere not above reproach. It is now fully establishedthat there was a family aboard whose subsequent historymight cause sociologists to classify them as degenerates.The father, a quarrelsome man, was hung for murder.The son had a large family which he was unable tosupport. One grandson was a worthless character anda constant expense to the community. The treasurer ofthe colonists, who purchased the supplies for the voyage,refused to make an accounting of the funds and diedleaving his records in chaos. One of the men betrayedhis associates, became an embezzler, and was drivenfrom the colony. Thus was humanity both at its worstand best on this momentous voyage of the ship May-flower.There were ^wo separate factions on the vessel. One

contingent came from London. Governor Bradfordspeaks of this group as "strangers thrust upon them."The inference being that as the London merchants sup-plied most of the funds, they also insisted in sendingsome of their own choosing as colonists. The other


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contingent was the party of Englishmen from Leydenin Holland. These were the real founders of the col-ony. They were the strong and trustworthy men. Liv-ing under the leadership of Reverend John Robinson inHolland for twelve years, they were thoroughly em-bued with a democracy of church government, unknownto any other body of Englishmen. Though they hadlong lived in the midst of the city of Leyden, they werenot a part of it. Reverend John Robinson occupied alarge house with extensive grounds. Within thesegrounds were built small cottages in which many of thepeople lived. The records of Leyden bear evidence ofthe goodly character of this group. I refer to the re-marks of the Dutch burghers of Leyden on the quarrel-someness of the French protestants, at the same timepointing out that their English brethren were never incourt and were law abiding citizens. The best evidenceextant, that government of the people and by the peoplecame out of Leyden, is the letter of Reverend John Rob-inson read to the colonists on shipboard just before sail-ing from Southampton. If every other scrap of testimonyon this fact were lost, this letter suggesting and advisingthe purest democracy is sufficient to identify the found-ers of this commonwealth. "The Compact," signed inthe cabin of the Mayflower, which is the foundationof our democracy, undoubtedly originated in Leydenand not in London.From this historical statement, we turn to the ro-mance of the narrative : Francis Beaumont, the narra-

tor, is a literary character. There was a real LoraStandish, but not a Lora Brewster. Wherever Beau-mont speaks of himself and events that affect him alone,that part of the story is fiction ; but whenever he asso-


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20 Wyt Jfounbtna of a Rationciates himself with the acts of the colonists that part isin the main recorded history: for instance, the breakingof the ship's beams, the signing of "the Compact," thethree voyages of discovery, the planting of the colonyin the great clearing, the building of the houses, theburning of the common-house, the discovery of the col-umns of smoke from the fires of the savages, the variousmeetings

at the common-house, the great sickness, thedeaths, the coming of Samoset, the visits of Massassoit,the dread of the savages, the first harvest festival, thecoming of the ship Fortune, the great famine, and otherincidents of a similar character.These events are all told chronologically with one

exception, i.e., the entrance of the Mayflower into Ply-mouth Harbor. The date of the first attempt of theship to gain the harbor was the fifteenth of December,old style. In the story this event has been placed onChristmas Day. With this exception the story followsthe history almost day by day.The motif of the narrative is to have some one elsebesides the interested parties tell the story of the cour-age and hardships of these enduring people: an epicof tragedy, self-denial, romance, famine, pestilence,death, and heroism unsurpassed in the annals of man.This great story belongs to the people and not alone tothe student. It was impossible to have one of the Pil-grims tell his own story without creating standardswhich the average person would not follow, or, if hedid he would put them aside immediately as being falseand artificial. A liberal cavalier seems to be the plaus-ible character to relate the narrative. Creating his ownatmosphere and color, no one dare say nay to his state-ments, nor does he grate upon the minds of the heroworshipers of the Pilgrims.


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Heabtng mp UncestralIt was a summer's day with the sun filtering through

the leaden panes of the mullion lattice windows, fillingthe hall with light and gray shadows. The rays fromthe outside world touched my crimson velvet capewhich I wore loosely around my shoulders, making itscolor grow warm and brave. This was my natal day,likewise the day I entered into manhood.

I was kneeling before a shield, which, somewhere inthe dim past, had been hung upon the walls of ourancient castle by a bold and worthy ancestor to inspirethose who came after to ever keep the name Beaumontunsullied in the purple of the court or in the din ofbattle. Besides me was my French hat, with its curlingfeather showing white upon the floor worn smooth bythe feet of ancient and honorable men. I looked up atthe shield with its field emblazoned with lilies and alion rampant. On all sides of rne were the pictures ofstern and grim faced men, bidding me to take my vowsproperly and maintain them as a Beaumont should,even unto death.With the pride of my people stirring within me I

arose and placing my hand upon the lion, that I mightbe embued with its courage, I leaned over and kissedthe lilies that I might be instilled by their gentleness.Drawing my sword as my ancestors had done beforeme, since the time that King Edward crowned a DeBeaumont, king of the Isle of Man, I made a vow that


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22 jjr jfountung of a RationI would play the part of a true and courageous man,wherever my lot should fall. I was alone, for no per-son was ever with a Beaumont, at this sacred devotion.I looked up into the ceiling where the oak timbers,carved and enriched with many strange and curiousfigures, had grown dark and soft with age. My eyesswept down the great hall with its fluted shafts of oak,its cedar panels with armorial bearings; and the greatfireplace flanked by brass fire dogs and other trappings.On the drive outside the door I could hear my horsestamping nervously to be off. With my sword danglingat my side I walked slowly around the room, bowinglow to a determined faced ancestor looking out of theshadows of another century. Being my favorite Beau-mont, I bent my knee to him, a favor which I wouldgrant no man alive unless it be King James; thenwalked quickly across the room, out onto the lawnwhere my father and brothers were awaiting to give mea willing God-speed. The tender graces of a motherI had not known for some years. Though my hometies were endearing, they were more easily broken thanif I had had to say farewell to a loving parent. Throw-ing my leg across the saddle I mounted and with a lowsweep of my hat, bade adieu to my kinsmen and like-wise to my youthful fancies.My lot was that of a youngest son of one of the proud-est families in Leicestershire, counting its relationsamongst royalty and its age by centuries. Since I wasshut out of hopes of becoming heir to the family estates,the church and the army alone were left me as fieldsof action. Being one and twenty, with a strong bodyand a long arm, I promptly turned my back on thepeaceful walk of the clergy and chose the career of a


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Utabing mp ancestral 3|aU 23soldier. The ancient roof, to be sure, offered me acovering, but I fancied something besides eating, sleep-ing, drinking, and dancing was to be my lot.With youthful dreams engaging my mind, I rodeacross England, coming to the shores of the sea. Forthe first time looking upon the expanse of waters inmy innocence, I grew fearful for our fields in Leices-tershire as I conceived that the low shores would soon-er or later waste before the waves letting the flood looseupon our island.These fancies I soon forgot as the Dutch lugger car-ried me across to Flushing, where I was to serve myapprenticeship in arms. This was one of the citieswhich the good and thrifty Queen Elizabeth had ex-acted from her Dutch allies for certain loans of moneymade when they were hard pushed in the war againstSpanish control. Being, in a sense, an English city, itwas necessary for English soldiers to guard it and Iheld the commission as an officer of a company.Though lacking knowledge of an officer's duties, Iwas well aware that I was safe in my ignorance for the

present, since there was a truce between the Spaniardsand the Dutch. Landing within the city walls, I washailed as a recruit from home, who was to be pluckedof his effects. This my fellow officers promptly diduntil I was as poor as the poorest of them. In exchangefor my property, I was shown the ways and habits of asoldier in a rough but perfect manner.There was barely a handful of English soldiers in thetown under the command of Charles Blount, BaronMountjoy, a nobleman from Devonshire a few yearsolder than myself. By the grace of our ancient familieshe was captain of the company, while I was a lieuten-


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24 Wyt $ounbtng of a Rationant. The rank and file, however made up for what thecommissioned officers lacked in age and experience.For of all the bold and untrammeled vagabonds, that Ihad ever seen, this band was the worst. They were ahardy and seasoned lot, who fought for the Dutch onemonth and the Spanish the following; changing mas-ters so often, they frequently forgot whether to shouttheir battle cry in goodly Dutch, or in the language ofthe Dons. They would sack a town, storm a citadel, orclamber over an embankment onto the pikes of anenemy with easy indifference, just so long as they wereassured that their pay was forthcoming at the appointedtime. Such grisly adventurers made me proud of mycommand and I soon loved them in their audacity andhardihood.While we had not serious warfare to carry on, stillwe were compelled to maintain strict military disci-

pline to keep the leash securely on our dogs of war.Our main diversion was an occasional Englishman ofwealth or birth happening our way whom we wouldimmediately make an officer of our company. Thishonor was celebrated by festivities at the charge of thenew recruit in which men and officers joined alike.Sometimes the quondam soldier was made to do guardduty, and so long as he stayed with us we kept himbusy until he tired or his funds were exhausted.Stripped of his easy honors, he was sent on his way,while we looked across the sea and waited impatientlyfor a new arrival to break the monotony of the dailyroutine.As I have said, Baron Mountjoy, or Charles Blount,was captain of this company in Holland, because he wasa young scion of an ancient family of Devonshire.


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Heabtng mp ^Jncegtral ^all 25Besides having natal misadventures in common, we

were of one mind on many other things, so that we soongrew into each other's likings. In the midst of foreignpeople we were forced to amuse ourselves, driving usto form cliques within our command, Blount and I pair-ing off together. The blood of youth soon cementedour relations into a friendship of more than passingnature.Time hanging heavily on our hands, Captain Blountand I made excursions to the surrounding towns. Imust confess our object was one of diversion; pleasing

our vanities, rather than absorbing the more stable em-bellishments of manners and mind.On these excursions, we frequently met in the streetsof Amsterdam runaway Englishmen, who, not contentwith the king's church, separated themselves from theirnative land and came to this country to establish a re-ligion of their own. Blount pointed them out to me atfirst. With their gray clothes and grayer looks, I sooncame to know them and would promptly cross the streetrather than meet them face to face.We had several of these Separatists around BeaumontHall ; but they were soon driven out of the country, hav-ing designs upon the church established by the king.These Separatists were a stubborn lot, for no soonerwere they established in Holland, than they began send-ing pamphlets of a seditious nature secretly into Eng-land, preaching their doctrine of the rights of theindividual against the divine rights of the king. Thisaudacity brought them into trouble in England andHolland, as it should; for I was well drilled in the doc-trine that the commonality had no rights except thosegranted them by their king and his nobles.


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26 (Tfjr jfounbtng of a RationIn the spring of 1619, Captain Blount and I rode

through the green valleys and flowering lowlands ofthis half sunken country into the city of Leyden. Setin the midst of a low plain which had been rescuedfrom the bottom of the sea through the great patienceof the people, the green pastures like running waterslapped the walls of the city, overflowing into the streetsbeyond. The River Rhine which both of us lookedupon with admiration, we were told, found its begin-ning in the mountains of Switzerland, where it flowedwith dash and vigor among the high cliffs and wilddeserts of that distant country.At Leyden the Rhine River entered into a moreslothful existence, divided into many branches it flowedslowly through the city, making many waterways whichthese thrifty people used for floating their commerce.Our dirty kennel in the center of the street with its mudand sickening odor was unknown in this country; more-over, there were walks of brick and stone close to thehouses. Hammered stone bridges were over the water-ways, giving a sense of security, which we did notpossess when trusting ourselves to the wooden structuresin our own country.Then the houses of Leyden were past our belief. Welooked upon the rows of brick houses with dooryardsof growing grass in amazement, having never seen sucha number of clean and wholesome homes in all ourtravels. As an Englishman I would not confess it toanother, but within me I felt that Leyden had no equalin all the shires of England.We could not understand how this great wealth couldgrow out of the making and bartering of goods. The


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Heafamg mp Ancestral Hall 27multitude of people who thrived upon this exchange ofthings, however, left us no opportunity to even arguethat sooner or later the commoners must go back to thehalls of the nobleman from whence they came and againseek his protection. This wealth from trading, I amsure never occurred to Blount, and I am free to confess,never entered my mind before.For several days we wandered through the streets ofthe city envious in our hearts, that it was not in Englandinstead of in Holland. Coming into a little square, inthe cool of a May evening, we stood in the presence of acathedral. Barbarians as we were, we were struck byits beauty. As I stood in wonderment a strange feelingcame over me, as with a flash my mind was illuminedand I saw the graceful lines and symmetry of form ofthe building as a living thing. From whence camethis strange power stirring me so deeply? My ownthoughts are that it was direct from the soul of the manwho, in years gone by, dreamed out this creation ofmortar and stone. Into this man's mind there came amessage from his soul, a spark from the infinite; thenhe dreamed a dream in which he saw a beautiful inan-imate thing. As his heart beat strong, his fingers tracedout his conception stroke by stroke in a great arched win-dow flanked by towers with tapered roofs. With artfulgrace he piled stones on each other, straight and turned,plain and curved, narrow and broad, with such orderand profusion, that the massive structure became as thedelicacy of a piece of lace. I am loth to admit howeverthat the only points in common between this ancientmaster dreamer and myself were our soul sparks.Though he had long since gone his way, I fancied his


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28 {Eije jfounbing of a Rationspirit lingered in his work and for a moment lightedmine, so that I, too, caught a glimpse of his conceptionand stood looking on the dull stones in admiration.While we were gazing at the cathedral an elderlyman with gray hair and dignified mien, accompaniedby a maiden dressed in gray and white, came aroundthe turn of the street into the square. At my first glanceI saw he was a renegade Englishman of that hatefulclass called Separatists or Brownists. Not having theleast sympathy for them, in fact the greatest contempt,I started across the street. Perhaps the influence of thecathedral was still upon me, for happening to glance atthe face of the girl, I hesitated. In her dress of graywith a white shawl thrown around her shoulders and ahood of light texture hiding circles of brown hair with-in its folds, she was indeed a comely figure. Stopping,again I stole a glance at her, forgetting my anger againsther people.

Surely my heart must have been mellowed beyondbelief, for I not only waited for the two to come up tous, but turning, watched them until they passed out ofsight.

Blount too was fascinated, exclaiming, "An Englishbeauty.""More than that, a gentlewoman," was my reply.


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Cbents tofjtdj tectbc me to leabeCnglanfc

War times were pressing hard upon us. The greattruce of many years between the Dutchmen and theSpaniards was drawing to an end. Since I fancied theprofession, my time was wholly given over to drillingmy company and watching the repairs on the fortifica-tions. With pleasurable pride I walked around thewalls, examining the water ditches and gates andplanned ways of defense when we were at blows withthe enemy.Our ammunition was in store and the men were tug-ging at their leashes, when my career in Holland wasabruptly ended. The change came through Blount andwas not of my own making, for as we were walkingupon the walls one November day in 1619, a messengerfrom England came to us, handing my comrade anenvelope laden with many red seals.With anxiety I stood and watched my companion ashe tore open and read the contents. I saw the lines ofhis face soften and his eyes fill with tears as he turnedto me and said, "Beaumont, I must be away for Eng-land; my brother has been accidentally killed."Without thinking, I heartlessly replied, "ThenBlount, you are the Earl of Devonshire."Bowing his head without further reply, he bade themessenger to await him in our quarters while we walkedon in the cool air to give the new earl time to think.


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30 Sflje Jfotmbtns of a RationIt was during this walk that the earl suggested that I

return with him to England, which of course did notmeet with my approval, the fever of war being loosein my veins. At our quarters he pressed me harderthan ever, saying there would not be an outbreak be-tween the Dutch and Spaniards. I resolutely held myground until he pleaded that it would be a kindness tohim for me to go, then I began to waver. When hepromised to return to Holland in case of war, I gavein. Packing my chests, I shortly accompanied himaboard an English coaster on the way to Devonshire.Landing at Harwich, we took horses to far-away

Plymouth, where we came in due time spattered withmud and wet by autumn rains. It was a short journeythence to Devonshire Hall where we arrived unan-nounced. Having been so long on the journey, the earlcould only go alone to the manor church and pay hislast respects to his brother over a newly laid stone in thefloor.

Devonshire Hall was not as ancient as BeaumontHall. It was patterned after the letter H, in honor ofKing Henry. This was the custom in the times of theHenries, so that a nobleman could go to court and bow-ing low would say, "Your Majesty, I have builded myhouse after thee."

It was a rambling house with thick walls, half tim-ber, half brick, with cut stone around windows anddoors, seated in the midst of a forest of oaks and elms,which stretched away for miles with only a clearingnow and then around a great house or mayhap a fewfields of a country gentleman's estate. Landscape gar-dening had penetrated even to this distant shire, walksbeing laid out and lined with hedges. In my fancy I


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Cabalier JLilt in Cnglanb 31thought it a gentle spot, where the grass carpeted theearth with softness in the spring time and the song ofthe winds played upon the leaves in midsummer withinfinite sweetness. Truly it was a pleasing and noblehabitation in the midst of all these growing things.

If the environment without was goodly, the lifewithin the hall was also a merry one. The young earlwas not burdened with the cares of this world, nor didhe fancy those around him who were. So while thecommon people labored about us, we ate, drank, playedwith dice wildly, and slept as little as we could. In aword, we lived the life of gentlemen of the time, leav-ing nothing undone in our fierce pleasures, which couldbe accounted as unsociable by the other members of ournoble class.Some of the retinue would abide indoors and so

besot their stomachs with ale that they knew little of theoutside world. Though I admit I played my part inthis riotous living, still I loved to mount my horse onmornings, when hoar frost was on the grass, and followthe dogs until the freshness of the forest air set me in aquiver with its life. The sound of a hunter's horn tothis day makes me prick up my ears, like an old dog,and sends my fancy back to the valleys and fens ofLeicestershire and Devonshire.Now and then on a wet day I would explore thevillage of workers who toiled to produce what we in thehall used so extravagantly. Since there were no mar-kets at which the earl could buy food, clothes, andthe necessities, he must of certainty have them madeand provided in his own village. This consisted oflow thatched roofed cottages not far removed, in whichdwelt the hardy men and women of toil.


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32 gnjje Jfounbing of a Ration

Tom Scott was the smithy, and a better man neverset a piece of iron to a red heat. Childlike I was in-terested by the flying fire and thought him a salamanderuntil I stood in the sparks and found them harmless.Tom put irons on the hind feet of my horse and renewedthem from time to time so that I came to know himparticularly.Beyond the smith shop was the saw pit where menripped off planks for mending and building, while thewood yard was close by with beams and fire-wood piled

in orderly fashion. Coming into the village of lowthatched houses, I always found the baker, the brewer,the miller, the dairyman, and all the other people, whotoiled for us in the hall, hard at work.

Frequently I stopped at the dairy, for the splashingof the great churn, as it worked under the power of ahorse that went round and round, was heard six days ofthe week and the seventh if needs be. Beyond werethe sheep pens and sties for pigs, and overhead cots forpigeons. For you must understand that squabs for thepan and birds for pies were delicacies which everyonedesired and was pleased with, if set down piping hotbefore him. The slaughter pen was nearby where theneat cattle were killed in the fall and salted away forwinter's use. Being far from markets, our provenderall came from this village of workers who were gladof a place to labor, eat, and thrive; two virtues whichwe in the hall could not lay title to, since we neitherlabored, nor were we ever falsely accused of beingthrifty.The work in the still-room was always pressing, tomeet the constant drain on the wine-cellar, where werestored barrels of home-brewn ales and shelves of cur-


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Catmlter JLilt in nglanb 33rent, cowslip, and elder wines; likewise vinegar andpickles of walnuts and ground vines. A portly manwas the brewer, also a wise one, as he went amongsthis copper vats testing and tasting his products. Wecounted him an important man too, and happy was thenobleman whose brewer was the best.

It was to this extensive establishment that the earland I came fresh from Holland. Following the prac-tice of the times, my comrade accepted his householdas he found it. This included several gentlemen, who,though having incomes, lived in the Hall as followersof the earl. Among the gentlemen, who came byinheritance to my old companion, was Louis la Valle,a slender, fanciful youth, whose style and tongue I dis-liked from the first. He occupied the brown lodgingsnext to the earl's, from whence he was compelled tomove, to make place for me. This of course was dis-tasteful to him, and he made no effort to conceal his illtemper. As I was big and strong and he was not of myweight, I pretended not to see his slights, irritating himmore than if I had seized him by the throat.Our community being small, I did not have the op-portunity of keeping away from La Valle, both of usbeing deep in the hunting, shooting, drinking, andgaming. Unless he was winning with dice, he wasill tempered and once or twice we had words, whichwere soon forgotten on my part, but still lingered withhim.On Christmas eve when the great yule log was beingdrawn in by the people, amidst cheering and hilarityI happened to tread upon La Valle's foot. In an in-stant he was aflame and would have drawn his sword,but for the interference of mutual friends. The earl


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34 Cfje Jfounbtng of a Rationgave La Valle notice he must withdraw himself fromthe Hall, but I begged Blount to let him stay.The earl being young and unmarried naturally wasthe center of many social festivities. There were nobleladies in plenty in Devonshire, who would have beenproud to have come under the shelter of the Hall as itsmistress. Among the ancient families where there weresuch aspirations was that of the Stuarts. Being theearl's companion in heart as well as in arms, I accom-panied him on his visits to the fair ladies. In theStuart household was one Arabella, a young lady ofparticular grace and peculiar fascination.The earl having his fancy set on another sister, theLady Arabella and myself were left to spend our even-ings together. As a matter of fact I became very muchattached to her, as she was both gracious and beautiful ;singly these graces were confusing enough to any youth,but together were irresistible.The fates seemed to be against my peace of mind aswell as body, for this gentle Lady Arabella was one onwhom La Valle was disposed to lavish his attentions.This did not deter me in the least, however, from goingwith the earl frequently and many times alone to theStuart Hall. During the spring and summer of thisyear of our Lord, sixteen hundred and twenty, the fairLady Arabella and I were much together; and I averwith quickened pulse that it was a great pleasure forme to be with her. In fact our attachment was fastgrowing into an affection. I can best explain an unex-pected change in my life by giving certain details, as Iremember them, which I truthfully set down as theyoccurred.One evening in September, 1620, the earl and I rode


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Cabalter Hilt in Cnglanb 35up to Stuart Hall to visit our lady loves. Lady Ara-bella was particularly fair in the candle light in hercolored silks and satins. The wind being from thewarm earth, we walked upon the terrace in the air untilshe suggested we try a dance which had just arrivedfrom Paris.

In her laughing mood she declared, "Sir Francis,since you have been to Holland you must know the newstep.""Nay, nay, Lady Arabella," I answered, "it is a long

journey from Holland to Paris, so this new dance didnot reach me ere I left Flushing.""Then you must admit, it should have reached you."With this bit of feminine philosophy I was dragged tothe center of the floor.

I shook my head and again protested, "Lady Ara-bella, I am ignorant of it.""Then I will teach you," she said laughingly.My awkwardness fulfilled my statement of a lack ofknowledge of the new dance; for in my confusion Istepped on her slipper tearing a diamond shoe rosefrom its fastening. Picking up the jeweled trifle Ioffered it to her. Instead of taking it she bade me dropit in my pocket and give it to her after our dancinglesson. The exercise making it uncomfortably warmindoors, we again took refuge in the open air. It wasone of those delightful nights with a golden moonflooding the hilltops and forest with its seductive light.The gentle air stirred the leaves of the elm and oaksinto song. Lady Arabella and I walked upon the ter-race in this entrancing world until the earl announcedhe was departing. With a kindly pressure of her handI bade her "Good night" and rode away.


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36 fje Jfounbing of a RationTurning into the drive at Devonshire Hall, I hap-

pened to put my hand in my pocket. With an exclam-ation of surprise I drew forth the diamond shoe rose.As the earl did not hear me, I dropped the bauble backinto my pocket, determining to return it to its fair owneron my next visit.The narration of this incident brings me to Mondayevening, September fourteenth; the day and the dateare so firmly impressed upon me, that I have no hesi-tancy in giving them as being accurate, without resort-ing to further proof than my own memory. We wereseated at the table in the feasting hall. The great whitecandles flickering in their sockets were shedding a dimlight over a row of red-faced men. Flushed with goodfood and much drink we were indifferent to everythingexcept our own pleasure. Someone suggested playingdice. Instantly we were alive. It was like throwing alighted match into gunpowder to suggest gambling tothis crowd of roysterers.The palm of my hand burned with desire to shakethe illusive pieces and send them rattling along theboards, so beset was I with gaming. To suggest was toact. For a few moments we played furiously untilthe first excitement gave way to the stolid indifference,which comes to a man who plays with chance.Mugs of ale were drunk to steady our nerves, andnow and then an oath came from a loser. La Vallewas playing badly and was losing steadily. To quiethis nerves he drank freely until the fumes of the liquormade him quarrelsome. Whilst Dame Fortune frownedon La Valle, for some reason this night she smiled uponme, so that from time to time I dropped my winningsinto the pocket of my coat.


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Catmlter Life in Cnglanb 37One of the players, being filled with pride at his own

skill, ventured a handsome sum upon his cast; reachinginto my pocket I threw a handful of coins carelesslyupon the table. There was a peculiar sparkle in themidst of the silver. La Valle's eye caught the unusuallight, and before I could prevent him, he reached acrossthe table and picked up Lady Arabella's shoe rose.

Seizing a candlestick he held the precious bauble upto the light. Recognizing it he turned and threw itinto my face saying, "I gave it to Lady Arabella, shegave it to you; now you take it back to her with mycompliments."Dazed by the sudden attack, I sat undecided whetherto push the matter or wait until morning. La Valledid not give me an opportunity to decide but instantlysprang to his feet drawing his sword. The other play-ers rushed between us endeavoring to stop the fray.As the quarrel was not of my seeking, I could do no lessthan draw my sword and await the attack.La Valle who was an expert swordsman was for fight-ing at once in the hall. I had no objections to tryingthe issue with swords, but preferred good light for thework. My antagonist, however, would brook no delay.He stormed and threatened me until I bade the menclear away the table.This obstruction being out of the way, a circle formed

in the middle of the room. Men on all sides held uplighted candles that we might see the better to cut eachother's throats. There was no desire of either of us towithdraw now, nor could we have done so, and everlived in the presence of these hard faced men.La Valle was one of those swordsmen, practiced inthe art of fencing according to the French method; it


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3 8 Ht)t jfounbtns of a Rationwas advance and retreat, thrust slyly and quickly, stealupon a man and with a turn of the wrist cut open hisside or arm. It was a fashion I never fancied thoughI must admit for practical purposes it was effective.My idea was a slash and a blow well aimed and deliv-ered hard. If you are after a man's life my schoolingwas not to sneak it away, but advance boldly and take it.

Physically, we represented our respective ways offighting; La Valle was tall, slender, and quick as a cat.There was no doubt but if I let him close to me, hewould run me through the body with ease and pleasure.On the other hand I was big of body, heavy in muscle,and steady on my feet, but in spite of my strength I wasfearful of the outcome of my English training againsthis French strokes. But let the outcome be what itmay, I felt I must fight and die like a Beaumont.The circle narrowed as La Valle came forth with hissword ready for the fray. As I closed in, he began hisFrench antics, moving this way and that, until I couldhardly tell by the dim light whether he was advancingor retreating. I stood watching my antagonist closelymaking no effort to follow him, shifting my position,however, from time to time so as to face him.Now that the fumes of liquor were out of La Valle'shead, I think, he was not so anxious to fight in the dark;but we were both in the ring of battle and dared notgive way. As we turned and shifted, he sprang at meand with a thrust tore a hole in my coat. If my swordhand had been as quick as his, I could have ended mat-ters there and then ; but he was out of harm's way ere Icould get in a stroke.

I was not at the work long before I discovered one of


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Catmlier life in Cnglanb 39La Valle's friends playing tricks with the candle whichhe was holding. When La Valle faced him his friendheld the candle high. But as I edged around this samecandle would be lowered so that it shown full in myeyes, partially blinding me. This foul trick only an-gered me, and I rained blows on my antagonist, untilI was brought to my senses by feeling a sting in my leftwrist and saw the blood dropping from a cut.

It was my second escape. I grew calm as I knewfull well the next few minutes would decide the fight.Closer and closer La Valle worked in toward me, like atiger about to spring upon its prey. Fortunately therogue with the candle was at my back and I so ma-neuvered to keep him there as I was now playing for mylife.

Slowly, slowly my antagonist moved around me, look-ing for an opening. Just as carefully I kept on guard.I could hear the men breathing heavily. I have vividrecollections of these crucial moments. My mind wasclear and my arm as steady as though I was feastinginstead of fighting desperately. I was keenly alive tothe fact that it was my courage pitted against La Valle'sskill and confidence. I could see the working of myantagonist's mind by the nervous movements of his eyes,and even before he sprang at me, he told me his purposeby the sudden contraction of his muscles. Movingquickly and freely he came at me with a lunge, whichI was helpless to ward off. I felt the prick of my fleshas his sword tore through my greatcoat. My thoughtswere that I was done for; but I was determined that heshould fall with me and struck him full in the breast.La Valle's face turned ashen then staggering he fell


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40 Cfte jfountung of a Stationto the floor. While some of our erstwhile comradesleaned over the stricken man, others rushed me out ofthe room.Thinking I had been wounded, as soon as I could, I

tore open my big coat and waistcoat to find that LaValle's sword had merely grazed my side. He hadbeen deceived by the poor light and the size of my great-coat, sending his sword through the garment instead ofmy body.The earl ever solicitous of my safety was for hurry-ing off to London and explaining the affair at court asLa Valle had powerful friends close to the throne, whono doubt would send me to the tower or even to theblock. But after much debating it was agreed betweenus the simplest way would be for me to go to Plymouth,there take passage on the first vessel sailing for foreignlands, where I could tarry until the combat was forgot-ten, or my friends adjusted matters so that I could re-turn to England with safety.Though I protested, the earl refused to permit me

to journey to Plymouth alone, and made himself readyto join me in the night journey. The coach with fourhorses shortly came dashing up to the door. My chestswere soon stored away and with many regrets at thehasty leaving of my comfortable quarters and jolly com-panions, we started on our lonely ride across the country.

Being in the middle of September the earth was notsaturated with the rains, but sounded firm and hardunder the broad irons of the wheels of the coach. Wewere soon in the midst of a forest of oaks and elms thatspread unbroken, except for a clearing now and then,to the sea. We had no fixed road to move upon. Anold English law provided that trees should not stand


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Cabalier Hilt in Cnglanb 4 1within a given distance of a thoroughfare, making hid-ing places for highwaymen while following their genialprofession. The roads were merely wide clearingspassing through forests and across fens and fallowplaces. There was not even a log bridge to carry onesafely over creeks and sloughs in which the horses sankto their withers. These wagon strips were cut by in-numerable tracks and filled with holes and roots, havingno semblance to the solid roads we saw in Holland.To the men who only know the fens and marshes ofYorkshire and Lincolnshire, the great hills of this southcountry are beyond their belief. I have heard themsay, when told of mountains and heights of lands, thatone layer of earth to keep a man's feet out of the sea,was all that was needed. It was the east-of-Englandman's idea that the world was flat, that it grew grass forcattle, that it was cut here and there with sluices filledwith sluggish water flowing lazily to the sea. But ifsome of these wise men had tumbled with us down thesides of the Devonshire hills this night, they would havehad jostled into their thick heads a few ideas on therough spots of their native island.

All night long we toiled across the hills beset withstumps, roots, and holes, until at the coming of day wesaw Mount Edgecombe off in the distance, standing likea sentinel on guard over the waters of Plymouth Sound.Coming to the brow of a hill, we saw the spires of achurch rising above the tops of the trees with a hazefalling low over the land beneath which lay the townof Plymouth.With a crack of his whip our driver sent his steedsforward halting at the edge of the village. Puttingmy head out of a window, I learned we must abandon


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42 lje Jfoun&ins ot a Rationthe coach, the street being too narrow to permit itspassage between the houses. Even if it could haveentered, there was no telling how soon it would breakthrough into the vaults that extended beyond the houses.Besides the streets were so crooked that our lead horseswould have been out of sight most of the time.

Leaving our coach we made our way on foot to aninn called the Anchor, kept by one Master Estep. Hewas up and looking for custom when we entered. Rub-bing his eyes in astonishment at our early arrival, heexclaimed, "Your Worships, have come far!"My companion did not reply, answering the questionwith a nod of his head."What are Your Honors' wishes?" exclaimed the inn-

keeper."Something to eat, a mug of ale and your best room,"

replied the earl."Then the front parlor is what you wish, and a hand-some room it is Your Worshipfuls."My companion would not listen to more, orderingMaster Estep to show us the way to the front parlor.It was a narrow dingy room, poorly lighted, so thatcrossing the rough and warped floor was one of someperil. Carpets which in after years were woven towalk upon, were now hung about the walls of the room,to conceal their ugliness.There were ballads of love, war, and romance pastedand tacked about the place, being as much a part of theinn as the sign swinging over its entrance.Now that we were safely housed we began to planfor shipping me away to a foreign land. Being a sol-

dier of fortune, I made no exceptions of countries exceptSpain, otherwise I was ready to go to any other part of


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Catmlier 3Ufe in Cnglanb 43the world. Plymouth having been the starting pointof the expeditions of Sir John Hawkins, Frobisher, andFrancis Drake, I was in hopes some such hardy adven-ture was on foot. Having breakfasted on fresh mutton,as it was in September, we decided to interview theinnkeeper, as to what ships were in the harbor andwhither their destination.Coming into the common room of the tavern, we saw

Master Estep in earnest argument with a red facedsailor of past middle age.As we entered the stranger brought down his clenchedfist upon the table making the two pewter mugs rattleas he exclaimed, "Frank Drake was the best captain,that ever sailed the seas.""Nay, John Hawkins," broke in the innkeeper.This made the seaman out of temper and he againbeat the table with his fist saying, "Drake feared neither

land nor sea, nor any man that walked upon the one orfloated upon the other."

I was about to speak and stop this quarrel over thefavorite seamen, when the earl put his hand upon myarm and shook his head for me to desist.The innkeeper, through pure stubbornness still clungto his champion, saying, "John Hawkins taught Drake

the ways of the sea."The old sailor striking the table heavily with hisclenched hand said, "Nay, which will you have Haw-kins or Drake?"

"Drake," exclaimed the earl.As the stranger sat with his mouth half open in aston-ishment I advanced, saying, "My good man can you tellme whether there are ships in the harbor now, going to

strange parts?"


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44 f)e jfounbtns of a Ration"Indeed there are," was his quick reply."To what country are they bound?""They say to the northern part of Virginia."At this the earl drew back and shook his head. I

was interested immediately because of a book which anadventurer by the name of Captain John Smith hadwritten and printed, which he called, A Description ofNew England. Some three years before he had dis-tributed this writing among merchants and titled peopleto interest them in a colony, which he proposed to es-tablish in this new country.

I had read this writing and the part that stirred memost was Captain Smith's description of the sport andpastimes in Virginia.The earl, not knowing what was in my mind, couldonly think of the disasters that had overtaken so manyof the colonists, who had trusted themselves to thoseinhospitable shores. He was for holding a conferencewith me, but I would not and put this question to theseaman, "My man, how many ships are there in thefleet?"

"There were two, Your Honor, but the smaller vesselproved to be leaky and turned back to this port, bring-ing her consort with her. The damaged one has goneback to London carrying a part of the people. Thegreater vessel now lies in the harbor awaiting favorablewinds.""And you say it is bound for Northern Virginia?"Master Estep could keep quiet no longer and replied,

"Captain Jones says he is under contract to land belowthe mouth of Hudson's River.""Know you this Captain Jones?" I asked hastily.


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Cabalier Hilt in Cnglanb 45"He is a good patron of the Anchor, and will surely

be here shortly for his morning draught of ale.""Master Estep," I said earnestly, "If this CaptainJones comes early or late, send him up to me."Having made this arrangement with the innkeeper,my companion and I returned to the front parlor to

wait for him. The earl at once endeavored to adviseme against making this adventure, saying the savageswould slay all of the company, and even escaping them,starvation would be its lot. To this I now quoted fromthe book of this same Captain John Smith.This book on America repeatedly came back to meand supplied me with weapons to wield against theearl's arguments. Seeing I was determined, likewisefeeling the necessity of getting me out of Englandquickly, he ceased urging me.About ten by the clock we heard heavy footsteps onthe stairs, followed by a loud rapping at the door. Atour bidding, Master Estep stepped into the room, fol-lowed by a short, heavy set man with the winds of thesea blown into his face. I did not like his appearanceas there was brutality about his ways which brooked illfor those under him.Master Estep shuffling with his feet said, "CaptainJones."The stranger responded with a low bow. Invitinghim to be seated, we sent the innkeeper off about hisways. Being the interested party, I acted as speakerby saying, "Captain, it has come to me, that you areabout to sail for Northern Virginia.""True, gentlemen," answered the seaman with somecuriosity.


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46 lje jfounfcmg of a Ration"One, Captain Smith, has written so boldly about that

country, I fancy I would like to see it." The seamanpricked up his ears when I had gotten this far, andpushed himself forward until he was seated upon theedge of the chair. "Being of an adventurous nature,"I continued, "I am desirous of going on this voyage toAmerica.""You go to Virginia!" he exclaimed with surprise."Surely, Master Captain, am I too old or too young?""Nay, not your age, but your manner of living makes

the new country impossible."This nettled me and I was even in anger as I ex-

claimed, "What say you, Captain?""My ship is under contract to a company, so that Ican not take you.""Have you room for me aboard?"He shook his head answering, "The ship is so filled,

that men, women, and children are packed away likefish in a quintal."

"Perhaps, if I were to apply to the head colonists?"He gave me a queer look and smiled, answering,"They would make room for the devil, quicker thanthey would for you."

Indignantly I thundered, "Why?""They are Separatists from Leyden and London," he

said with a sneer.My hopes fell, while the earl's face lighted up witha smile as he saw my plans tottering to the ground,knowing my contempt for these people. For a momentI was in truth stunned, then I began scheming to over-come the obstacles that confronted me. Though mydislike of these sectarians who ran away from theircountry to Holland was great, my love of adventure,


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Catmlier ILtfe in Cnglanb 47too, was so fixed within me that I was determined toovercome my hatred, if I could but once get aboard thevessel. While we three sat in silence confronting eachother, a thought came to me, which I determined to testwithout delay.

"Captain Jones," I said, "you have the roundhouse toyourself and mates, why not take me as a passenger onyour own account. If I pay my way, purchase my ownprovisions, and grant a bounty in gold to you besides,is that not a fair bargain? Can the Separatists findfault if I live off the ship's supplies?"The itch for gold was as strong as I thought it was inthe man's make-up. He scratched his head in a dullsort of way, as my proposition gradually came to him.Glancing again at my clothes and dainty rapier he an-swered, "The head colonists would never let you aboardthe ship."

Seeing my clothes were a stumbling block, I sug-gested that he smuggle me aboard after night, dressedas a common seaman. It was only after considerablearguing and coaxing that the captain consented to myplan and agreed to see me on board at the first oppor-tunity.As soon as we were rid of the seaman, we went downto the shore to view the ship. As we came to thewater's edge a small boat filled with men landed nearus. The earl looked at them and said, "There are yourSeparatist friends.""They are not friends of mine," I exclaimed indig-

nantly at the same time turning my back upon them.From gazing at the ship we went along the shopsthat lined the quay to purchase a colonist's outfit. FirstI must have a gun, called a snap chance, which was the


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Cafaalier life in Cnglanb 49Passing a narrow street we were startled by the clash-

ing of swords and the cry of men in combat. Both ofus hastened toward the scene of action, drawing ourswords. Though there were no lights upon the street,the people were swinging candles and lanterns out ofsecond story windows so that our way was fairly lighted.We could see the sparks flying from clashing swordsand took it that it was a contest of more than usual in-terest. Coming up we found a little man with his backagainst the wall defending himself from the attack oftwo swordsmen. Beside the fighter was an unarmedcompanion, who was unable to participate in the fray,further than to encourage his comrade. He needed nourging, however, for though he was small in stature hethrust and parried so quickly I thought him the equalof his two opponents.As two against one is contrary to the laws of everycountry, I called to the little man to close in with theman nearest him, while I would take the other. Hegave no heed to me but pushed his two assailants so hardone lost his footing in the muddy kennel, while the otherran away. The man who was down leaping to his feetquickly disappeared in the darkness.Though the danger was over, the little man stoodwith his sword in hand ready to renew the conflict.Seeing that his assailants had fled he turned to us and ina free and gallant manner said, "Comrades, you camein time."

"Yes," I replied, "but they ran away before we couldget at them.""The young popinjays," exclaimed the little man,"endeavored to force us from the wall into the mud ofthe kennel. The elder and I were on our way from a


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50


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QCfje embarkationShortly after ten by the Dutch clock, which the earl

carried in his waistcoat pocket, this same Tuesday night,September fifteenth, of the year sixteen hundred andtwenty, there came a rapping at our door which madeboth of us wonder who the disturber might be. In thesame breath we bade the interrupter enter. He provedto be Captain Jones who, expecting to be away fromthe comforts of an inn for some months, had stayedashore this evening to enjoy the cups of Master Estep.Making a due obeisance, he said, "Your pardon, sirs,

but the wind is blowing out of the northeast and bidsfair to be a gale. By the break of day the ship sails.""When do we go aboard, captain?" I asked."At once, sir! It will be after midnight now beforewe reach the vessel."

"I am ready, Captain, though this is brief notice," Ireplied.Now that the time for my departure had arrived, Iwas not so keen to leave the earl. With an effort I putaside my sadness and laughingly said that I was of! ona hunting trip and a journey of adventure, furthermore;I would be back in "Merrie" England within a fewmonths. The earl was not over sanguine of my returnand was in doubt as to whether we would meet again.I brushed these misgivings aside lightly, declaring myonly regret was that he was not going with me. For amoment I half persuaded him to join me, then he recov-


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52 Cfje Jfounbing of a Rationered himself stoutly asserting the necessity of his stay-ing.

Captain Jones remained with us while we were pack-ing my last chest. I endeavored to persuade him totake me aboard just as I was or, perhaps, in a suit ofgraver color, not fancying the rough clothes of a sailor.He would not change his method, however, declaringthe head colonists were awake all hours of the day andnight.

I not only disliked the garb of a sailor, but I did notfancy sneaking aboard like a pirate. Again I pushedthe point of my going in other clothes, but the captainwould not listen to me. Since he was so determined Iasked him for his seaman's clothes. They were easygarments to slip on, especially for one who was accus-tomed to take his time in dressing. My size and figureso agreed with what a seaman's should be, that the earlapproved of me as I stood before him dressed and readyto go.Amidst many bowings and scrapings of Master Estepwe left the inn, Captain Jones leading the way with alighted lantern. My companion and I walked arm inarm in silence. We soon came to where the long boatwas lashed to the docks. As the seamen prepared it,the earl and I stood on the timbers watching them.

It was a more serious time with both of us than I hadanticipated, as we stood in the presence of a parting,the outcome of which no man could foresee. When thetime came for me to go down into the little boat I threwmyself into my comrade's arms, affectionately embrac-ing him again and again. Taking my place I waved myhand, but my comrade had turned to conceal his feel-ings. Shouting cheerily to him, he answered. Again


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Cmtmrkation 53I waved my hand. The lone figure on the dock sentback his silent message; but ere I could answer thenight clouds descended, enshrouding the form of myfriend and counsellor.The ship was tugging at its anchor chains as we came

alongside. The northeast gale was dashing choppyseas against its oaken sides, the spray making us uncom-fortable in the boat. The captain held up his lantern,throwing weird shadows against the black hull. Thensomeone on deck held a light over our heads, droppinga frail rope ladder over the side.

Captain Jones was first to mount the swaying ladder.I followed close behind. The sides of the vessel slant-ing in, I had great difficulty in gaming the deck. As Iclambered over, the captain, who was awaiting me, gaveme a hearty blow on the back, calling me a "landsailor," and bidding me follow him. I thought he wasboth rough and taking liberties with my person.Turning to go aft, of a sudden Captain Jones straight-

ened up and said to some one whom I could not see inthe darkness, "Master Carver, if this wind holds goodwe shall sail at daybreak."

"Captain Jones," came a steady voice out of the shad-ows, "we have tarried far too long upon this vessel.Unless we sail soon the season will be past.""With the rising of Wednesday's sun," answered thecaptain, "we should be abroad on Plymouth Sound.""We are all anxious to be free of England," was theSeparatist's reply.Though I could not see the speaker, his firm clearvoice both pleased and surprised me, as I had expected

a nasal whine. I would have liked the man, if he hadnot expressed such great desire to get away from his


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\54 Wyt Jfounbtng of a Rationnative country, even preferring the wilderness to it.This gave me a feeling of disgust for him and hispeople.

I followed the captain until we came to stairs lead-ing up to a door. Mounting these we entered theroundhouse, which was the officers' quarters. Once in-side, I was anxious to know of the captain if he thoughtthis Master Carver suspected me.The captain feeling no solicitude in this direction, I

calmed my fears asking, "Who is this Master Carver?""He has been chosen by the Separatists," the captainmade answer, "to be their governor while on boardship. He has full control of their supplies, disciplinesthe unruly, settles disputes, and besides, watches overthem as a shepherd does his flock. I've been told thathe was once a gentleman with an estate, which he hasspent in the aid of these Separatists." How much morethe captain would have told me I do not know, had notan officer come in and interrupted him.

This officer seemed so astonished at seeing me in theroundhouse that the captain was obliged to say, "MateClark, this is Master Beaumont, who fancies a trip toVirginia."The mate saluted me, without so much as saying hewas pleased to have some one divide the cabin with them.Shortly the two went out leaving me alone to survey mysurroundings. A single candle in the middle of a stoutsquare table was doing its utmost to dispel the gloomwithin the cabin.The dim light showed square beams at the side, andhewn timbers overhead, while in the background was a

great mast running up through the roof. On both sideswere sleeping bunks with rugs thrown carelessly upon


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Cfje embarkation ssthem. One I guessed to be mine, as I fancied I saw acertain blue border, which I recognized as one I hadpurchased in Plymouth. Picking up the candle andwalking over to it, I found my eyes had not deceivedme. Unwrapping the covering, I spread it out care-fully. Turning to pick up my candle I upset it, leav-ing me in the dark. Being unable to relight it, I re-signed myself to my rugs.The sun was shining brightly through the windows ofthe roundhouse when I awoke. I could hear the wind

whistle through the cordage, and feel the vessel work-ing in the seas, so that I knew that we were going downthe sound.

Before I was dressed, a strange officer coming intothe roundhouse looked at me curiously, then hastenedout- no doubt to report to the captain, that a commonseaman had had the audacity to sleep in the officers'quarters over night. He soon came back, however, sat-isfied with my presence and introduced himself as Rob-ert Coppin, second mate of the Mayflower.As the captain was working the ship down PlymouthSound, he was forward on the forecastle-deck with theother officers, so that I had the roundhouse all alone.It was understood between us that I was not to appearuntil the ship was well past the last end of England, forfear the colonists might turn back and put me ashore.These Separatists had a suspicion that the clergy of theestablished church were still spying upon them and assoon as they had established themselves in a new coun-try, would attempt to coerce them back into the Englishchurch. Not only was this in their minds but they con-ceived a feeling of ill will towards the nobility, sincethis class had persecuted them, so that Captain Jones


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56 Cfje Jfounbtng of a Stationfelt that my presence upon the vessel would immedi-ately arouse suspicion.Not only was I to keep within the roundhouse, butwhen the time for appearing came, I was to be arrayedas a country gentleman and not in colors and fripperies.

Being left alone, I had an opportunity to look aboutme in the daylight. The roundhouse was as a secondfloor of a two story wooden house fastened to the sternof the vessel. The first story was called the great cabinin which the passengers were packed like fish in a keg.Immediately above the great cabin or the second storywas the roundhouse, where the officers of the ship livedand lounged when off duty, and which was destined tobe my quarters.This roundhouse was a room about four and twenty

feet square, having two small alcoves or as we wouldsay in military terms, barbettes, extending from the sideof the vessel over the water, so that when the master wasseated in them he had complete view on deck as well asover all quarters of the sea. The advantages of thesealcoves I recognized at the first glance, and made hasteto the one on the port side, where a large chair wasscrewed to the deck inviting me to taste of its comforts.Into this chair I sank, glad that the distance was notgreater, as the vessel was rocking mightily in the troughsof the working sea. Having gained my breath and thecontrol of my stomach, I looked forward along the blackhull and fancied it to be about one hundred feet inlength, with four and twenty feet beam, and abouteighteen feet in the hold. With a crew of thirty men,including captain, pilot, and cook, it was after all but asmall atom floating on the infinite waters.Having been built to carry goods to Holland, the ship


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embarkation 57was short, thick set, and stout; and like a broad backedduck, it floated freely on the waters.The sea rolled from the hull in green and whitewaves as the wind carried us swiftly out to sea. I couldsee Mount Edgecombe off in the distance and wonderedif the earl gazed upon the forest crowned peak with thesame solicitude I did. I likewise could see the sprayof the waves dashing high into the air from the rocksupon the shore and looked upon it as the last near viewI would have of my native land.From the land sky line, I looked forward and saw thecaptain, and Master Clark, standing on the forecastle.This was also a two storied affair, the crew occupyingthe upper chamber while the lower one was used as acookery and storehouse. The square bow was pilingthe sea up in front of it in a clumsy fashion, as the vesselpushed its way through the water. The sides slanted inat the top so that the waves were already running adeluge upon the decks. It was evident to me, though aland lubber, that the vessel was a wet ship and I almostheld my breath as I imagined what the long rollers ofthe ocean would do when we were once out of thesound.

It was too late to draw back, nor would I if I could,as I had set my heart on the voyage. From my chairin the alcove I could see the square sail set firm and tauton the foremast and mainmast, but barely catch the endof the mizzenmast yards. These three masts weresingle timbers, being the best pines that grew on thehills of Cornwall. Such was the

ship, the Mayflower,on which I was launched with the colony of Separatistsupon the great Atlantic Ocean.The first day wore away with me still a prisoner in


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58 fte Jfounbtng of a Rationthe roundhouse. I was really as safe from discoveryas I would have been in Devonshire Hall, the passen-gers and sailors having absolutely nothing to do witheach other. The seamen being of a low order of menand partaking the feelings of their superiors for theSeparatists, looked upon them with contempt even con-sidering them with pity.

I did not fancy hiding like a criminal, so I suggestedto Captain Jones the second day out that I thought ittime to go on deck. Very curtly he replied, "If youwant to set these fanatics around my ears and you havedesire of being put ashore, now is the time for showingyour presence on board."Mate Clark, who happened in shortly after this inter-view, confirmed Captain Jones's position, furthermoreassuring me that it would not be safe for me to go ondeck, until we were well into the ocean beyond theLand's End of England. Fancying Master Clark morethan I did the red faced blustering Jones, I was contentto abide by his decision.During the days of self-imprisonment, I became ac-

quainted with the officers -all of whom were youngmen. The older seamen did not fancy the long voyagesin unknown waters, where their only guide was the sun,moon, and stars. I conceived the master and his menwere half seamen, half adventurers, ready to sail a ship,barter with the savages, fight a battle, or explore un-known waters with equal expedition and promptness.The spirit of adventure was great within them. Theyadmitted to me that when once they had become infect-ed with sailing on the big ocean to strange lands, theywere ill at ease at home.Mate Clark told me he had been to America several


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embarkation 59times, and that the year before he and Captain Joneshad taken a vessel-load of kine from Ireland to Vir-ginia. Upon his return to London, Master Clark hap-pened on a merchant named Weston, who hearing hehad been to the western country, asked him of its cli-mate, the doings of the colonists and especially of thesavages. Master Clark's intelligence so pleased thismerchant Weston, he offered him a place on this colonyship which was then fitting out at the London docks fora voyage to Northern Virginia. Immediately, MasterClark sought Captain Jones and propounded the tripto him. The result of several visits to Master Westonwas the hiring of Captain Jones as master, and Clarkas first mate of the vessel.

In my leisure, I learned from the second mate, Rob-ert Coppin, that he too had the western fever, havingbeen to Northern Virginia, about Cape Cod, in a mer-chant vessel spending several months along that coast.He had been to Newfoundland once, and several timesin fishing-vessels taking cod and haddock on the GreatBanks. He furthermore surprised me by saying thattwo years before there were three hundred fishing-ves-sels in that part of the sea which I had supposed to befree of shipping, coming from every section of westernEurope from Sweden to Spain. These sea tales pleasedme, serving to while away the lonesome moments of myimprisonment.The first Sabbath day upon the Mayflower came inbright and warm with a cheerful breeze filling the sailswafting us on to an unknown destiny. Overhead silkenclouds floated peacefully in the blue sky. The tremorof the sea touched the vessel with its motion. A gullhung in mid-air with outstretched wings, then swerving


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60


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Cmlmrfeatton 61the morning that we were one hundred leagues beyondEngland, when, happening to glance forward, I caughta bit of color of a woman's head-dress.My curiosity caused me to look again, then leap tomy feet, for there leaning over the side of the vessel wasthe maid of Leyden. The flush had gone from hercheeks, but I was pleased to note again the air of quietdignity which had so favorably impressed me the firsttime I saw her.

Impulsively I started across the room, never thinkingof my coarse sailor's garb. I came to myself, however,ere I reached the door, looking down at my clumsy hose,shoes, and doublet, I could not refrain from laughter atmy appearance.Turning from examining the sailor's garb, my eyes

caught the corner of the chest, in which lay my gayclothes. Hastening to it I threw the lid back andlooked upon the fineries.

Being evident that my beauty was a lady of quality,I felt it was my duty to appear in her presence in a cos-tume corresponding to my social sphere as well as herown. Nervously unfolding my scarlet velvet cloak,which the dampness of the sea had set in a thousandwrinkles, I dragged it forth uncovering the other ap-pointments of a gentleman.

Hesitating no longer I threw the coarse sailor's suitfrom me and prepared to go forth robed as I was uponmy last visit to Lady Arabella. Now that old age hastired me of gaudy colors and gay feathers, I hesitate totell the length of time it required to clothe and decoratemyself in proper attire on this day.

I was in doubt between a waistcoat from Flandersdone with red poppies or one from France in yellow


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62 lje Jfounbing of a Rationdragons. Fancying my lady would prefer the poppies,I selected that one. The great yellow velvet breeches,stuffed with hair to monstrous proportions, was my nextselection from my wardrobe. They were of such sizethat no chair could contain them. In fact the House ofParliament built benches around its walls that gentle-men of fashion could perch themselves upon them, thusmaking room for their great trousers.My Spanish hose of peach color were flecked withDevonshire clay. Over the silken hose I fastened gar-

ters of broad blue ribbons, bedecked with goldenbuckles. The mud of Plymouth still clung to my shoes,but the jewels in the roses sparkled as brightly as ever.A great red coat with turned up collar, flaring skirts,ruffles at both arm holes and huge pockets was a bravepiece and one in which I gloried greatly. At myleather belt hung a silken bag in which I carried linenkerchiefs, properly scented and easy of access.A massive gold cable hatband of goldsmith work anda white flowing feather gave both color and value to myhat, which was as elaborate as a lady's of fashion.Buckling on a dainty rapier and throwing a red cloakaround my shoulders I was dressed properly to meet myLady of Leyden.The time I had consumed in dressing had somewhatcooled my ardor. What perplexed me was whether toawait the coming of Captain Jones or go forth upon myown accord. Going to the little alcove, I glanced for-ward expecting of course to see my lady; she was gone.Her absence startled me to action. Throwing cautionto the winds, I crossed the room, opened the door of theroundhouse and stood on the top step of the stairs lead-ing to the deck.


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Cmtmrbatton 63For a moment I stood at the door with my gay colors

showing brightly against the dull walls of the round-house. The passengers, who had been brought fromtheir dark and wet quarters by the glowing sun, werelounging upon the deck. Calmly I surveyed eachgroup for the pleasing face of my lady, but failed tofind her.

All the while the people lay around upon the deckunconscious of my presence. A girl of fourteen firstdiscovered me, and with a cry of alarm shouted, "See!See!"

Instantly the deck was in a turmoil. If I had droppedfrom the clouds or come out of the depths of the sea Icould not have caused more commotion. The men,women, and children sprang to their feet turning theirfaces toward me. For a moment I stood above theirheads on the topmost step, a picture in colors whichthey did not admire. Slowly and with dignity I de-scended to the deck where the crowd stood in amaze-ment.They were not even interesting to me now, since I

sought the looks of one whom I did not see. I longedto hasten directly to the spot where I last saw her, butdecided to go there by a promenade around the deck.The people made way for me but not without blacklooks and scowls, which if I had had my wits about me,I could plainly have seen meant that I was an unwel-comed guest.My heart beat rapidly beneath the red poppies onmy waistcoat, as I went forward to the forecastle.There I stood undecided whether to go into her pres-ence at once, or after another walk along the deck. De-ciding to brave my fate at once, pushing the handle of


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64 (Ttje Jfountung of a Rationmy rapier down, I boldly walked across the deck ex-pecting to come face to face with my lady. She wasnot there.

Coolly and deliberately I began to seek her amidstthe people. First I stood carelessly leaning against thebulwarks looking at each face, then with measured stepbegan my walk, stopping now and then as if to look intothe sea, but really to examine the various groups of ex-cited people who were now crowded upon the deckwatching my every movement.One of the small boats forward obstructed my view.With bated breath I came up to it and glanced aroundthe end, hoping to see the white hood of the Leydenmaiden; but again I was doomed to disappointment.Somewhat chagrined I leaned against the side of thevessel undecided what to do, when of a sudden I caughtthe sight of a fluttering ribbon near the mainmast. Myhopes were high as I approached this bit of ribbon, onlyto find it worn by someone else. Though I examinedevery part of the deck I failed to find her.

Crestfallen and disappointed I crossed the deck onlyto run into the arms of a young man of about thirty,who in a decisive manner exclaimed, "Who are you, andfrom whence came you?"

Quite impudently I replied, "From the round-house."Without noticing my wit, the young stranger asked,"What do you aboard this vessel?""Simply a gentleman on an adventure to Northern

Virginia," I replied, assuming an uninteresting attitudetoward my questioner.By this time the people crowded around us anxious

to see and hear what I had to say. The conversation


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Wyt nrfmrfeatton 65had reached this point when Captain Jones seeing mein the midst of the crowd came running from the fore-castle, addressing my questioner, "Master Bradford,this gentleman means no harm to your plans," and with-out giving the young man an opportunity to reply,slipped his arm through mine, I thought, with entirelytoo much familiarity and started up the stairs of theroundhouse still clinging to me.Once within our quarters the captain exclaimed, ashe looked me over clad in all my finery, "Well, you

have stirred up a beehive. You will be in good fortuneif you are permitted to stay by the ship to America. Ifyou had only appeared in modest clothes! These fin-eries bespeak suspicion in their minds."

This talk did not interest me half so much as whathad become of my lady of the cathedral. That she wason board I was well assured. What Master Bradfordand Governor Carver thought of me was of little con-sequence.

Captain Jones could not swallow his wrath at me formaking my first appearance in such array, saying if Ihad worn my traveling clothes, he might have ex-plained my presence on board his vessel satisfactorily,but the gay colors and foreign trinkets marked me as acavalier and an enemy. When he had finished, I as-sured him that I was sorry to cause him trouble, but ifI had the same reasons to move me again, I would notchange my way of appearing in the least particular.With this he left me, still red with wrath.As the evening sun went down behind the red hori-zon, I sauntered out once more onto the deck, this timenot like a peacock in flaunting colors, but in a more sub-stantial garb of subdued hue. There was the same sup-


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66 QCfje jfounbtng of a Rationpressed excitement among the people and the same lookof displeasure.A girl of eighteen of good form and fair face caughtmy attention, but one glance sufficed. Then a figurenear the forecastle sent me forward on a tour of exam-ination. I loitered around the deck until the color ofthe departing day had faded from the fringe of thecloud hanging low in the west, all the while hoping mylady would come forth.The captain was right in his anticipation of trouble.On the morrow as we were finishing our morning re-past, there was a knock at the door and at the captain'sbidding there entered a gray bearded and gray hairedman, whom I h

The Founding of a Nation Vol 1 (1915)

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