The next morning, refreshed by the repose4 of the Sabbath, the Pilgrims rose early to enter upon the arduous5 duties before them. The prospect6 of gloomy forests, barren sands and wild ocean, was any thing but cheerful. No alluring7 spot of grove8 or meadow or rivulet9 invited them to land. Weary as they were of their small and crowded bark, it was still preferable to any residence which the shore offered them. Still these heroic men indulged in no despondency. The martyr10 spirit of Elder Brewster animated11 his whole flock. Just before sailing for the New World, he had said to Sir Edward Sandys:
“It is not with us as with other men, whom small things can discourage, or small discontents cause to wish themselves home again. We believe and trust that the Lord is with us, unto whom and whose service45 we have given ourselves, and that he will graciously prosper12 our endeavors according to the simplicity14 of our hearts therein.”
The captain of the Mayflower was unwilling15 to leave the harbor at Cape17 Cod18 and peril his vessel19 by coasting about in those unknown seas in search for a suitable location for the colony. The Pilgrims had taken the precaution to bring with them a large shallop, whose framework, but partially20 put together, was stowed away in the hold of the vessel. They now got out these pieces, and their carpenter commenced vigorously the work of preparing the boat for service. It would require some days to put the shallop in order for a tour of exploration along the shore. There were twenty-eight females among the emigrants21. Eighteen of these were married women, accompanying their husbands. These females, attended by a strong guard of armed men, were landed Monday morning to wash the soiled clothes which had accumulated through the long voyage. The weather was excessively cold, and the water so shoal that the boat could not come within several rods of the shore. The men were compelled to wade23 through the water, carrying the women in their arms; thus with many of them was laid the foundation of serious and fatal sickness.
In the meantime, while these labors24 were being46 performed, Captain Miles Standish, on Wednesday morning, the 15th of November, set out with a party of fifteen men, well armed and provisioned, for a more extended tour of exploration. It was deemed rather a hazardous25 enterprise, as they knew not but that the woods were filled with savages27, lying in ambush28. The Mayflower was anchored, it is supposed, about a furlong from the end of what is now called Long Point, and at that place the men were probably set on shore.
Mourt writes: “The willingness of the persons was liked, but the thing itself, in regard to the danger, was rather permitted than approved. And so, with cautious directions and instructions, sixteen men were set out, with every man his musket29, sword and corslet, under the conduct of Captain Miles Standish, unto whom was adjoined, for counsel and advice, William Bradford, Stephen Hopkins and Edward Tilley.”
The exploring party followed along the coast for the distance of about a mile, when they saw six or seven Indians, with a dog, approaching them. As soon as the savages caught sight of the party of white men, they seemed to be much terrified, and fled precipitately30 into the woods. The Pilgrims hotly pursued, hoping to open with them amicable31 relations. The Indians, seeing themselves thus followed, turned again from the woods to the sea shore, where, upon47 the beach, their flight would be unobstructed by the bushes and branches, which impeded32 their flight in the forest. Their pursuers kept close after them, guided by the tracks of their feet in the sand.
Night now came on. The Pilgrims constructed a rude camp, with protecting ramparts of logs, built a rousing camp fire, for the night was cold as well as dark, and having established faithful sentinels, slept quietly until morning. The place of the bivouac, they supposed to be about ten miles from the vessel. The next morning, Thursday, November 16th, at the earliest dawn, the Pilgrims resumed their tour. They followed the track of the Indians from the shore into the woods. “We marched through boughs33 and bushes and under hills and valleys, which tore our very armor in pieces, and yet could meet with none of them, nor their houses, nor find any fresh water, which we greatly desired and stood in need of.”
About ten o’clock in the morning they entered a deep valley, where they perceived tracks of deer, and found, to their great joy, a spring, bubbling cool and fresh from its mossy bed. Having refreshed themselves with a beverage34 which they pronounced to be superior to any wine or beer which they had ever drank, they pressed on their way, pushing directly south, and soon found themselves again upon the sea shore, where they built a large fire, that its smoke,48 ascending35 through the silent air, might inform those on board the ship of the point which they had reached.
Then, continuing their journey, they soon entered another valley, where they found a fine clear pond of fresh water. This was undoubtedly36 the little lake which now gives name to the Pond Village in Truro. As they journeyed on they came to a plain of cleared land, consisting of about fifty acres, where the plough could be driven almost without obstruction37. There were many indications that this land had formerly38 been planted with corn. Turning again into the interior, they came to several singular looking mounds40, covered with old mats. Digging into one of these, they found decaying bows and arrows, and other indications that they were Indian graves. Reverently41 they replaced the weapons and again covered up the grave, as they would not have the Indians think that they would violate their sepulchres.
Further on they found an immense store of strawberries, large and very delicious. This seems very remarkable42 at that season of the year. Roger Williams writes: “This berry is the wonder of all fruits, growing naturally in those parts. In some places, where the natives have planted, I have many times seen as many as would fill a good ship within a few miles compass.” They found, also, abundance of walnuts49 and grape vines, with some very good grapes. Coming upon a deserted43 dwelling44, they found, to their astonishment45, a large iron kettle, which must have been taken from some ship, wrecked46 upon the coast. Upon examining the remains47 of the hut more carefully, they became satisfied that it must have been erected48 by some sailors from Europe, who probably had been cast away upon the coast.
Here they came upon another mound39, newly made, so different from the others that they were induced to examine it. “In it we found a little old basket, full of fair Indian corn, and digged further and found a fine, great new basket, full of very fair corn of this year, with some six and thirty goodly ears of corn, some yellow and some red, and others mixed with blue, which was a very goodly sight. The basket was round and narrow at the top. It held about three or four bushels, which was as much as two of us could lift from the ground, and was very handsomely and cunningly made.”4
The Pilgrims had never seen corn before. Though they knew from its appearance that it must constitute an important article of food, they could have had no conception of the infinite value those golden kernels49 would contribute to the millions of inhabitants destined50 to throng51 this broad continent. These holes in50 the earth were the Indian barns. They were constructed so as to hold about a hogshead each. The corn having been husked and thoroughly52 dried in the sun, was placed in baskets surrounded with mats, which were woven or braided with flags. As the provisions of the Pilgrims were nearly expended53, from their unexpectedly long voyage, the sight of the golden ears of corn was more grateful to them than so many doubloons would have been.
“We were in suspense,” writes one of these explorers, “what to do with it and the kettle. At length, after much consultation54, we concluded to take the kettle and as much of the corn as we could carry away with us. And when our shallop came, if we could find any of the people, and come to parley55 with them, we would give them the kettle again, and satisfy them for their corn.”
About eight months after this, as we shall have occasion hereafter to mention, they met the Indians and paid them to their “full content.” The loose corn they put in the kettle, for two of the men to carry away on a staff. They also filled their pockets with the corn. The remainder they carefully buried again, “for we were so laden56 with armor that we could carry no more.” It is worthy57 of note that the Pilgrims were cased in armor. One of the grandsons of Miles Standish is said to have in his possession the coat of51 mail which his illustrious ancestor wore upon this occasion. The Pilgrim Society of Plymouth claims also to have the identical sword blade used by Miles Standish.
Not far from this place they found the remains of an old fort, which had doubtless been built by the same persons who erected the hut and owned the kettle. This was near a spot which they at first supposed to be a river, but which proved to be an arm of the sea, and which was doubtless the entrance of what is now called Parmet River. They found here a high cliff of sand, since called Old Tom’s Hill, after an Indian chief who had his wigwam upon its summit. They were, at this spot, about nine miles from Cape Cod harbor. Two birch bark canoes had been left here by the Indians, one on each bank of the creek58. As the adventurers had received directions not to be absent more than two days, they had no time for extensive explorations. Returning to the fresh water pond, they established their rendezvous59 for the night. Building an immense fire, with the barricade60 to the windward, and establishing three sentinels, each man to take his turn as it came, they sought such sleep as could be found in a drenching61 rain, for the night proved dark and stormy.
In the morning they set out on their return home, and lost their way. As they wandered along they52 entered a well-trodden deer path in the entangled62 forest. Here they came upon a singular contrivance, apparently63 some sort of a trap, which they were carefully examining, when Mr. Bradford, subsequently Governor, found himself suddenly caught by the leg and snapped up into the air. As he experienced no serious injury, the incident afforded only occasion for merriment. It was a deer trap, ingeniously constructed by bending a strong sapling to the earth, with a rope and noose64 concealed65 under leaves covered with acorns66.
“It was a very pretty device,” writes Mourt, “made with a rope of their own making, having a noose as artificially made as any roper in England can make.” These traps were so strong that a horse would be tossed up if he were caught in one of them. “An English mare,” writes Wood, “having strayed from her owner, and grown wild by her long sojourning in the woods, ranging up and down with the wild crew, stumbled into one of these traps, which stopped her speed, hanging her, like Mahomet’s coffin67, betwixt earth and heaven.”
Toiling68 along through the wilderness69, they saw three bucks70 and a flock of partridges, but could not get a shot at them. “As we came along by the creek we saw great flocks of wild geese and ducks, but they were very fearful of us, so we marched some while in53 the woods, some while on the sands, and other while in the water up to the knees, till at length we came near the ship, when we shot off our pieces, and the long boat came to fetch us.”5 Those familiar with the locality can trace their route as they passed round the head of East Harbor Creek, and went down on the north side of it. They then waded71 through Stout’s Creek, near Gull72 Hill, and passed on to the end of Long Point, near which the ship was anchored.
It was Friday afternoon, November 17th, when the expedition returned, with rent clothes and blistered73 feet, and with a discouraging report; for they had found no place suitable for the location of their colony.
Another Sunday came, and this little band of exiles was again assembled, on the deck of the Mayflower, to attend to their accustomed worship. The whole of the ensuing week was employed in refitting the shallop, which required the labor of seventeen days, and in making preparation for another and more extensive tour along the coast.
On Monday of the next week, the 27th of November, twenty-four of the colonists74 and ten of the seamen75, in the shallop, all under command of Captain Jones, of the Mayflower, again set out in search of a spot where they might commence their lonely settlement54 in the wilderness. It was a dreary76 winter’s day, with clouds, a rough sea, freezing winds and flurries of rain and sleet77. The sand hills, whitened with snow, swept by the wind and covered with a stunted78 growth of oaks and pines, presented nothing alluring to the eye. As the day wore away and the storm increased in violence, they ran in towards the shore for security. Here the shallop cast anchor, under the lee of the sand hills, in comparatively smooth water. The crew passed the night in the boat, which probably afforded shelter for a few persons. A party landed, and following along the beach about six miles, encamped, with a glowing fire at their feet.
The next morning, the storm still continuing, the shallop reached them about eleven o’clock, and taking them on board, continued their voyage until they arrived at Pamet Creek, which the previous expedition had visited. Here they found a sheltered cove1, which they called Cold Harbor. It afforded a safe refuge for boats, but was not a suitable harbor for ships, as it had a depth of but twelve feet of water at flood tide. The creek here separates into two streams, running back about three and a half miles into the country, and separated by the high cliff of which we have spoken, called Tom’s Hill.
A party landed at the foot of the cliff and marched into the interior, between the streams, four or five55 miles. The country was broken with steep hills and deep valleys, and there was six inches of snow upon the ground. As night darkened over them they entered a small grove of pine trees, where they built their camp and kindled79 their fire, and established their sentinels for the night. They supped luxuriously80 upon three fat geese and six ducks, which they had shot by the way.
It was their intention in the morning to follow up this creek to its head, supposing that they should there find emptying into it a river of fresh water. But in talking the matter over, it seemed to the majority that the region was very undesirable81. It was rough, hilly, with poor soil, and a harbor fit only for boats. In the morning, consequently, the shallop returned to its anchorage at the mouth of the creek, while the party on land crossed over to the other stream to get the rest of the corn which they had left behind. Here they found one of the canoes, of which we have previously82 spoken, which was sufficiently83 capacious to carry seven or eight over at a time. Here they found several other depositories of corn, so that they obtained seven or eight bushels.
“And sure it was God’s good providence84,” writes Mourt, “that we found this corn, for else we know not how we should have done; for we knew not how we should find or meet with any of the Indians, except it56 be to do us a mischief85. Also we had never, in all likelihood, seen a grain of it if we had not made our first journey; for the ground was now covered with snow, and so hard frozen that we were fain, with our cutlasses and short swords, to hew86 and carve the ground a foot deep, and then wrest87 it up with levers, for we had forgot to bring other tools.”
Captain Jones, satisfied that there was no place here for the location of the colony, was quite discouraged and wished to return to the ship. Several others were quite sick from exposure and fatigue88. They therefore returned to the shallop, while eighteen remained to continue their exploration until the next day, when the shallop was to come to take them. Several Indian trails were discovered, leading in various directions into the woods. One of these they followed five or six miles without finding any signs of inhabitants. Returning by another route, they came to a plain which had been cultivated, where they found several Indian graves, and among them manifestly the grave of a white man. In it they found fine yellow hair, some embalming89 powder, a knife, a pack-needle, and two or three iron instruments, bound up in a sailor’s canvas coat. It was supposed that the Indians had thus buried the man to honor him.
While thus ranging about, some of them came upon two deserted Indian huts. They were made57 round, like an arbor16, of long saplings, each end being stuck into the ground. The door was about three feet high, protected by a mat. The chimney was a hole in the top. In the centre of them, one could easily stand upright. The fire was built in the centre, around which the inmates90 slept on mats. The sides and roof were warmly sheathed91, as a protection from wind and rain, with thick mats. A few very mean articles of household furniture were found within, such as bowls, trays and earthen pots. There were also quite a variety of baskets, some of them quite curiously92 wrought93. Some of these baskets were filled with parched94 acorns, which it subsequently appeared they often used instead of corn.
During the day the shallop arrived. The latter part of the afternoon they hastened on board, with their treasures, and, it is supposed, reached the Mayflower that evening. In Mourt’s narrative95 it is recorded: “We intended to have brought some beads96 and other things, to have left in the houses in sign of peace, and that we meant to truck with them. But it was not done, by means of our hasty coming away from Cape Cod.”
The question was then very earnestly and anxiously discussed, whether they should decide upon Cold Harbor for their settlement, or send out another expedition on an exploring tour. Those who were in58 favor of Cold Harbor for their settlement, wished to locate their dwellings97 upon the bluff98, at the entrance of Pamet River, now called Old Tom’s Hill. The arguments they urged were, that there was there a convenient harbor for boats; convenient corn land ready to their hands; that Cape Cod would be a good place for fishing, as they daily saw great whales swimming about; that the place was healthy and defensible, and most important of all, that the heart of winter had come, and that they could not embark99 on more exploring tours without danger of losing both boat and men. The question, however, was settled in the negative, in view of the shallowness of the harbor, the barrenness of the land, and the inadequate100 supply of fresh water.
But very little was then known of Massachusetts Bay. But the second mate of the ship, Robert Coppin, had been in that region before. He said that upon the other side of the Bay, at a distance of about twenty-five miles, in a direct line west from Cape Cod, was a large navigable river with a good harbor. It was decided101 immediately to fit out another expedition to explore the whole coast of Massachusetts Bay, as far as the mouth of that fabulous102 river, but not to go beyond that point. A party of ten picked men, among whom were Governor Carver and William Bradford, set out in the shallop in the afternoon of the59 6th of December, upon this all-important expedition, in which it seemed absolutely necessary that they should select some spot on which to establish their colony. They were well armed and provisioned, and it was certain that they would leave nothing untried which human energy could accomplish. It was a perilous103 enterprise in the dead of winter, in a comparatively open boat upon a storm-swept sea.
A cold wind ploughed the bay, raising such waves that many of the voyagers were deathly sick. It was late in the afternoon before they succeeded in clearing the harbor. The severity of the winter weather was such that the spray, dashing over them, was immediately frozen, covering them with coats of ice. They ran down the coast in a southerly direction, about twenty miles, when, doubling a point of land, they entered a small shallow cove, where they discovered twelve Indians on the beach, cutting up a grampus. As they turned their bow towards the land the Indians fled, and soon disappeared in the stunted growth behind the sand hills. The water in the little bay was so shallow that they found it difficult to approach the shore. At last they effected a landing about three miles from the point where they had seen the Indians, but even then they had to wade several yards through the water up to their knees. As the weather was intensely cold, this caused much suffering.
60 It was quite dark before they reached the land. With considerable difficulty they constructed a barricade of logs, to shelter them from the wind, and also to protect them from the arrows of the natives, should they be attacked. Sentinels were stationed to keep a vigilant104 guard, a roaring fire was built, and our weary exiles, wrapped in their cloaks and with their feet to the fire, soon forgot, for a few hours, all their troubles in the oblivion of sleep. During the night the sentinels could see, at the distance of but a few miles, the gleam of the camp fire of the Indians.
In the morning the company divided, a part to follow along the shore through the woods to see if they could find any suitable place for their settlement, while the rest sailed along slowly in the boat, noticing the depth of water and watching for harbors. Thus the day passed without any successful results. Those on the shore followed an Indian trail for some distance into the woods. They came to a large burying place, surrounded with a palisade and quite thickly filled with graves. As the sun of the short winter’s day was sinking, and the shades of another night were coming on, the boat put into a small creek, where its inmates were soon joined by the party from the woods. They met joyfully105, for they had not seen one another since the morning, and some anxiety was felt for the safety of those upon the shore.
61 Governor Bradford, who was of the party, says that they made a barricade, as they were accustomed to do every night, of logs, stakes and thick pine boughs, the height of a man, leaving it open to the leeward106, partly to shelter it from the cold and winds, making their fire in the middle and lying round about it, and partly to defend them from any assaults of the savages, if they should attack them. So, being very weary, they betook themselves to rest.
“But about midnight they heard a hideous107 and great cry, and their sentinel called ‘arm! arm!’ So they bestirred themselves and stood to their arms and shot off a couple of muskets108, and then the noise ceased. They concluded that it was a company of wolves, or such like wild beasts; for one of the seamen told them that he had often heard such a noise in Newfoundland. So they rested till about five of the clock in the morning, for the tide and their purpose to go from thence made them bestirring betimes.
“After prayer they prepared for breakfast, and it being day-dawning, it was thought best to be carrying things down to the boat. But some said that it was not best to carry the arms down; others said they would be the readier, for they had wrapped them up in their coats, from the dew. But some three or four would not carry theirs until they went themselves; yet, as it fell out, those who took their arms to the62 boat, the water not being high enough for the boat to come to the shore, they laid them down upon the bank and came back to breakfast.
“But presently, all on the sudden, they heard a great and strange cry, which they knew to be the same voices which they heard in the night, though they varied109 their notes; and one of their company being abroad, came running in and cried, ‘Indians! Indians!’ Immediately a shower of arrows fell upon the encampment. Then men ran with all speed to recover their arms, as by the good providence of God they succeeded in doing.
“In the mean time, Captain Miles Standish, having a snaphance6 ready, made a shot, and, after him, another. After they two had shot, other two were ready; but Captain Standish wished us not to shoot till we could take aim, for he knew not what need we should have. Then there were four only of us which had their arms there ready, and stood before the open side of our barricade which was first assaulted. They thought it best to defend it lest the enemy should take it and our stuff, and so have the more vantage against us.”
From the hideous yells of the Indians it seemed as though the woods were full of them. There might63 be ten or twenty Indians to one white man. It was greatly to be feared that they might, by a sudden rush, seize the shallop, and thus cut off all possibility of retreat. Captain Standish, therefore, immediately divided his little army of ten men, leaving five to defend the barricade and five to protect the boat. In the midst of the terrific turmoil110 and storm of Indian missiles, the two divisions, separated but by a distance of a few yards, cheered each other by encouraging words. Most of the guns were matchlocks. Those by the shallop called for a firebrand to light their matches. One seized from the fire a burning log and carried it to them. The Indians seemed to understand the act, for they redoubled the fury of their yells.
The thick winter garments of the Pilgrims and their coats of mail effectually protected a large portion of their bodies from the arrows of the natives. The arrows as, unlike bullets they could be seen in their flight, could also be dodged111. There was one Indian, of gigantic stature112, apparently more brave than the rest, who seemed to be the leader of the band. He was in advance of all the other Indians, and, standing113 behind a large tree, within half musket shot of the encampment, let fly his arrows with wonderful strength and accuracy of aim, while his voice, rising above the din13 of the conflict, animated them to courage and exertion114.64 Three arrows which he shot were avoided by stooping. Three musket shots, which were aimed at him, struck the tree, causing the bark and splinters to fly about his ears, but he was unharmed. Captain Standish devoted115 his special attention to this chief. Watching his opportunity, when the arm of the savage26 was exposed, in the attempt to throw another shaft116, he succeeded in striking it with a bullet. The shattered arm dropped helpless.7 The savage gazed for a moment in apparent bewilderment and dismay, upon the mangled117 and bleeding limb, and then, as if conscious that he had fought his last battle, uttered a peculiar118 and distressing119 cry, which was probably the signal for retreat, and dodging120 from tree to tree, disappeared.
His warriors121 followed his example, and were speedily lost in the solitude122 and silence of the forest. Their flight was so instantaneous into the glooms which surrounded them, that scarcely one moment elapsed ere not an Indian was to be seen, and the demoniac clamor of war gave place to the sacred quietude of the untenanted wilderness. Captain Standish led his heroic little band, driving before them they knew not how many hundreds of Indians, nearly a quarter of a mile. Then they shot off two muskets65 and gave three loud cheers, “that they might see,” Governor Bradford writes, “that we were not afraid of them, nor discouraged. Then the English, who more thirsted for their conversion123 than their destruction, returned to their boat without receiving any damage.”
The first act of these devout124 men, upon returning to their encampment, was to give thanks to God for their great deliverance. There was a sublimity125 in this Te Deum, from the lips of these exiles, as in the twilight126 of the wintry morning, exposed to wind and rain, they bowed reverently around their camp fire, which never could have been surpassed by peals127 from choir128 and organ, resounding129 through the groined arches of the cathedrals of Saint Peter, Notre Dame130 or Saint Paul.
The escape of the Pilgrims, unharmed, from this shower of missiles, was indeed wonderful. The arrows of the Indians were thrown with great force, and being pointed131 with flint and bone, would, when hitting fairly, pierce the thickest clothing. Some of them were barbed with brass132, probably obtained from some fisherman’s vessel. When striking any unprotected portion of the body, they would inflict133 a very dangerous and painful wound. But no one was hurt. Some overcoats which were hung up in the barricade were pierced through and through. Arrows were sticking66 in the logs, and many were found beneath the leaves. They collected quite a number of them, and sent them back to England as curiosities.
It is supposed that the scene of this conflict, was at what is now called Great Meadow Creek, in Eastham, about a mile northeast from Rock Harbor. The Pilgrims named the place The First Encounter.
It was indeed a gloomy morning of clouds and rain and chill wind which now opened before these stout-hearted wanderers. The surf dashed sullenly134 upon the shore. The gale135, sweeping136 the ocean, and moaning through the sombre firs and pines, drove the sheeted mist, like spectral137 apparitions138 of ill omen22, over the land and the sea. As the Pilgrims re-embarked the rain changed to sleet. A day of suffering and of great peril was manifestly before them. The gale rapidly increased in violence. The billows dashed so furiously upon the beach there was no possibility of again landing unless they should find some sheltered cove. The waves frequently broke into the boat. Their garments were drenched139, and clothing and ropes were soon coated with ice. Anxiously, hour after hour, as they were buffeted140 by the storm, they searched the dim shore hoping to find some bay or river in which they could take refuge.
The short winter’s day was soon drawing to a close. Night was at hand,—night long, dark and stormy, in67 an unknown sea. They were numbed141 and nearly frozen with the cold. To many of them it seemed not improbable that before the morning they would all find a grave in the ocean. As twilight was darkening into night, a huge billow, chasing them with gigantic speed, broke into the boat, nearly filling it with water, at the same time unshipping and sweeping away their rudder. They immediately got out two oars142, and with exceeding difficulty succeeded in steering143 their tempest-tossed bark. To add to their calamities144, and apparently to take from them their last gleam of hope, just then a sudden flaw of wind snapped their mast into three pieces, dashing their sail into the foaming145 sea, and they were left at the mercy of the billows.
Their pilot, who had been upon the coast before, and who had thus far cheered them with the assurance that there was a harbor at hand, now lost all presence of mind, and throwing up his arms, exclaimed, “The Lord have mercy upon us. I was never in this place before. All that we can do is to run the boat ashore146 through the breakers.” It was insane counsel which, being followed, involved almost certain death.
Some one of their number, was it their gallant147 leader Miles Standish, remonstrated148, shouting out in the darkness, “If ye be men, seize your oars or we68 are all cast away.” They did so, and, with lusty arms, on a flood tide, still guided their boat along the shore, which was dimly seen as the breakers dashed high over sand and rock. At last they discerned land directly before them. Whether it were an island or a promontory149 they knew not. By great exertions150 they succeeded—though it was very dark and the rain fell in torrents—in gaining the lee of the land. Here they cast anchor in comparatively still water. But they were afraid to leave the boat. The experience of the past night had taught them that the woods might be full of savages.
Their sufferings however from the cold, the wind and the rain, became unendurable. A few of their number, feeling that they should certainly perish in the open boat, ventured ashore, where after much difficulty they succeeded in building a fire. Though its blaze illumining the forest, might be a beacon151 to point them out to their savage foes152, they piled upon it branches and logs and, forgetting their danger, rejoiced in the cheerful flame and the warmth. Those in the boat could not long resist the aspect of comfort which the fire presented. They soon also landed, and with their axes, speedily constructed a camp to shelter them from the rain, and a rampart of logs, behind which, with their guns, they could protect themselves from a large number of natives armed only with bows and javelins153.
69 Thus ere long they found themselves in what might be deemed, under the circumstances, comfortable quarters. During the night the clouds were dispersed154. The morning dawned, serene155 and bright, but cold. It was the morning of the Sabbath. And these remarkable men, notwithstanding the importance of improving every moment of time, decided, apparently without hesitation156 or thought of doing otherwise, to remain quietly in their encampment in the religious observance of the Lord’s day. Some may say that this was fanaticism157; that a more enlightened judgment158 would have taught them that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath; and that situated159 as they then were, it was a work of necessity and mercy to prosecute160 their tour without delay.
But these men believed it to be their duty to sanctify the Sabbath by resting from all but necessary labor. Thus believing, their decision could not but be pleasing in the sight of God. Captain Miles Standish, as we have mentioned, was the leader of this expedition. The decision must have been consequently in accordance with his views.
Governor Bradford, describing this painful and perilous adventure, writes: “And though it was very dark and rained sore, yet in the end they got under the lee of a small island and remained there all night70 in safety. But they knew not this to be an island till morning, but were divided in their minds. Some would keep the boat for fear they might be among the Indians. Others were so weak and cold, they could not endure, but got ashore and with much ado got a fire, all things being so wet, and the rest were glad to come to them; for after midnight the wind shifted to the northwest and it froze hard.
“But though this had been a day and night of much trouble and danger unto them, yet God gave them a morning of comfort and refreshing161, as He usually does to His children; for the next day was a fair, sunshining day, and they found themselves to be on an island, secure from the Indians, where they might dry their stuff, fix their pieces and rest themselves, and give God thanks for his mercies in their manifold deliverances. And this being the last day of the week they prepared to keep the Sabbath.”
In their frail162 camp they spent the sacred hours of the Lord’s day, in thankgivings and supplications and in hymning the praises of God. They named this spot, where they had found brief refuge from the storm, Clark’s Island, in honor of the captain of the Mayflower.
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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3
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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4
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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5
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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6
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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7
alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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8
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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9
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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10
martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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11
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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12
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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13
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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14
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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15
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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16
arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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17
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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18
cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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19
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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20
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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21
emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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22
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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23
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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24
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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25
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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26
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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27
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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28
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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29
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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30
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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31
amicable
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| adj.和平的，友好的；友善的 | |
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32
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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34
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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35
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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36
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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37
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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38
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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39
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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40
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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41
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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42
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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43
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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44
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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45
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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46
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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47
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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48
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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49
kernels
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| 谷粒( kernel的名词复数 )； 仁； 核； 要点 | |
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50
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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51
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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52
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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53
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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54
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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55
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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56
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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57
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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58
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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59
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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60
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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61
drenching
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| n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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62
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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64
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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65
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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66
acorns
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| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
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67
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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68
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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69
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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70
bucks
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| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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71
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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73
blistered
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|
| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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74
colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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75
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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76
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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77
sleet
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| n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹 | |
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78
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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79
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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80
luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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81
undesirable
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|
| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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82
previously
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|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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83
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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84
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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85
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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86
hew
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| v.砍；伐；削 | |
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87
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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88
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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89
embalming
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| v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的现在分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
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90
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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91
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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92
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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93
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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94
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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95
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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96
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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97
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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98
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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99
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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100
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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101
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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102
fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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103
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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104
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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105
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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106
leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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107
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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108
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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109
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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110
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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111
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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112
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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113
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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114
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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115
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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116
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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117
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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118
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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119
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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120
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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121
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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122
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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123
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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124
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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125
sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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126
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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127
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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128
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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129
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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132
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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133
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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134
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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137
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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138
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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139
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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140
buffeted
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| 反复敲打( buffet的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续猛击； 打来打去； 推来搡去 | |
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141
numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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143
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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144
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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148
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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150
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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151
beacon
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| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
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152
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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153
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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154
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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156
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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157
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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158
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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159
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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161
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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