Books: Richard of Jamestown
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James Otis >> Richard of Jamestown
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7 Produced by Martin Robb
RICHARD OF JAMESTOWN
by James Otis.
FOREWORD
The purpose of this series of stories is to show the children,
and even those who have already taken up the study of history, the
home life of the colonists with whom they meet in their books. To
this end every effort has been made to avoid anything savoring of
romance, and to deal only with facts, so far as that is possible,
while describing the daily life of those people who conquered the
wilderness whether for conscience sake or for gain.
That the stories may appeal more directly to the children, they
are told from the viewpoint of a child, and purport to have been
related by a child. Should any criticism be made regarding the
seeming neglect to mention important historical facts, the answer
would be that these books are not sent out as histories--although
it is believed that they will awaken a desire to learn more of
the building of the nation--and only such incidents as would be
particularly noted by a child are used.
Surely it is entertaining as well as instructive for young people
to read of the toil and privations in the homes of those who came
into a new world to build up a country for themselves, and such
homely facts are not to be found in the real histories of our land.
JAMES OTIS.
WHO I AM
Yes, my name is Richard Mutton. Sounds rather queer, doesn't it?
The lads in London town used to vex me sorely by calling, "Baa,
baa, black sheep," whenever I passed them, and yet he who will may
find the name Richard Mutton written in the list of those who were
sent to Virginia, in the new world, by the London Company, on the
nineteenth day of December, in the year of Our Lord, 1606.
Whosoever may chance to read what I am here setting down, will,
perhaps, ask how it happened that a lad only ten years of age was
allowed to sail for that new world in company with such a band of
adventurous men as headed the enterprise.
Therefore it is that I must tell a certain portion of the story of
my life, for the better understanding of how I came to be in this
fair, wild, savage beset land of Virginia.
Yet I was not the only boy who sailed in the Susan Constant, as you
may see by turning to the list of names, which is under the care,
even to this day, of the London Company, for there you will find
written in clerkly hand the names Samuel Collier, Nathaniel Peacock,
James Brumfield, and Richard Mutton. Nathaniel Peacock has declared
more than once that my name comes last in the company at the very
end of all, because I was not a full grown mutton; but only large
enough to be called a sheep's tail, and therefore should be hung
on behind, as is shown by the list.
The reason of my being in this country of Virginia at so young an
age, is directly concerned with that brave soldier and wondrous
adventurer, Captain John Smith, of whom I make no doubt the people
in this new world, when the land has been covered with towns
and villages, will come to know right well, for of a truth he is
a wonderful man. In the sixth month of Grace, 1606, I Was living
as best I might in that great city of London, which is as much a
wilderness of houses, as this country is a wilderness of trees. My
father was a soldier of fortune, which means that he stood ready
to do battle in behalf of whatsoever nation he believed was in the
right, or, perhaps, on the side of those people who would pay him
the most money for risking his life.
He had fought with the Dutch soldiers under command of one Captain
Miles Standish, an Englishman of renown among men of arms, and
had been killed. My mother died less than a week before the news
was brought that my father had been shot to death. Not then fully
understanding how great a disaster it is to a young lad when he
loses father or mother, and how yet more sad is his lot when he
has lost both parents, I made shift to live as best I might with a
sore heart; but yet not so sore as if I had known the full extent
of the misfortune which had overtaken me.
At first it was an easy matter for me to get food at the home of
this lad, or of that, among my acquaintances, sleeping wherever
night overtook me; but, finally, when mayhap three months had gone
by, my welcome was worn threadbare, and I was told by more than
one, that a hulking lad of ten years should have more pride than
to beg his way from door to door.
It is with shame I here set down the fact, that many weeks passed
before I came to understand, in ever so slight a degree, what a
milksop I must be, thus eating the bread of idleness when I should
have won the right, by labor, to a livelihood in this world.
This last thought had just begun to take root in my heart when
Nathaniel Peacock, whose mother had been a good friend of mine
during a certain time after I was made an orphan, and I, heard
that a remarkably brave soldier was in the city of London, making
ready to go into the new world, with the intent to build there a
town for the king.
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH COMES TO LONDON
This man was no other than Captain John Smith, who, although at this
time not above six and twenty years of age, had already served in
the French, in the Dutch, and in the Transylvanian armies, where
he had met and overcome many dangers.
He had been robbed and beaten and thrown into the sea because of
not believing in the religion of the men who attacked him; he had
been a slave among the Turks; he had fought, one after another,
three of the bravest in the Turkish army, and had cut off the head
of each in turn.
Can it be wondered at that Nathaniel Peacock and I were filled to
overflowing with admiration for this wonderful soldier, or that we
desired above all things to see him?
We loitered about the streets of London town from daylight until
night had come again, hoping to feast our eyes upon this same John
Smith, who was to us one of the wonders of the world, because in
so short a time he had made his name as a soldier famous in all
countries, and yet we saw him not.
We had searched London town over and over for mayhap a full month,
doing nothing else save hunt for the man whose life had been so
filled with adventure, and each time we returned home, Mistress
Peacock reproached me with being an idle good for nothing, and
Nathaniel but little better.
I believe it was her harsh words which caused to spring up in my
heart a desire to venture into the new world, where it was said
gold could be found in abundance, and even the smallest lad might
pick up whatsoever of wealth he desired, if so be his heart was
strong enough to brave the journey across the great ocean.
The more I thought of what could be found in that land, which was
called Virginia, the stronger grew my desire, until the time came
when it was a fixed purpose in my mind, and not until then did I
breathe to Nathaniel a word of that which had been growing within
me.
He took fire straightway I spoke of what it might be possible for
us lads to do, and declared that whether his mother were willing
or no, he would brave all the dangers of that terrible journey
overseas, if so be we found an opportunity. To him it seemed
a simple matter that, having once found a ship which was to sail
for the far off land, we might hide ourselves within her, having
gathered sufficient of food to keep us alive during the journey.
But how this last might be done, his plans had not been made.
Lest I should set down too many words, and therefore bring upon
myself the charge of being one who can work with his tongue better
than with his hands, I will pass over all that which Nathaniel and
I did during the long time we roamed the streets, in the hope of
coming face to face with Captain Smith.
It is enough if I set it down at once that we finally succeeded in
our purpose, having come upon him one certain morning on Cheapside,
when there was a fight on among some apprentices, and the way so
blocked that neither he nor any other could pass through the street,
until the quarrelsome fellows were done playing upon each other's
heads with sticks and stones.
It seemed much as if fortune had at last consented to smile upon
us, for we were standing directly in front of the great man.
I know not how it chanced that I, a lad whose apparel was far from
being either cleanly or whole, should have dared to raise my voice
in speech with one who was said to have talked even with a king.
Yet so I did, coming without many words to that matter which had
been growing these many days in my mind, and mayhap it was the very
suddenness of the words that caught his fancy.
"Nathaniel Peacock and I are minded to go with you into that new
world, Captain John Smith, if so be you permit us," I said, "and
there we will serve you with honesty and industry."
There was a smile come upon his face as I spoke, and he looked
down upon Nathaniel and me, who were wedged among that throng which
watched the apprentices quarrel, until we were like to be squeezed
flat, and said in what I took to be a friendly tone:
"So, my master, you would journey into Virginia with the hope
of making yourself rich, and you not out from under your mother's
apron as yet?"
"I have no mother to wear an apron, Captain Smith, nor father
to say I may go there or shall come here; but yet would serve you
as keenly as might any man, save mayhap my strength, which will
increase, be not so great as would be found in those older."
Whether this valiant soldier was pleased with my words, or if in
good truth boys were needed in the enterprise, I cannot say; but
certain it is he spoke me fairly, writing down upon a piece of paper,
which he tore from his tablets, the name of the street in which he
had lodgings, and asking, as he handed it to me, if I could read.
Now it was that I gave silent thanks, because of what had seemed
to me a hardship when my mother forced me to spend so many hours
each day in learning to use a quill, until I was able to write a
clerkly hand.
It seemed to please this great soldier that I could do what few
of the lads in that day had been taught to master, and, without
further ado, he said to me boldly:
"You shall journey into Virginia with me, an' it please you, lad.
What is more, I will take upon myself the charge of outfitting you,
and time shall tell whether you have enough of manliness in you to
repay me the cost."
Then it was that Nathaniel raised his voice; but the captain gave
him no satisfaction, declaring it was the duty of a true lad to
stand by his mother, and that he would lend his aid to none who
had a home, and in it those who cared for him.
I could have talked with this brave soldier until the night had
come, and would never have wearied of asking concerning what might
be found in that new world of Virginia; but it so chanced that when
the business was thus far advanced, the apprentices were done with
striving to break each other's heads, and Captain Smith, bidding
me come to his house next morning, went his way.
THE PLANS OF THE LONDON COMPANY
Then it was that Nathaniel declared he also would go on the voyage
to Virginia, whether it pleased Captain Smith or no, and I, who
should have set my face against his running away from home, spoke
no word to oppose him, because it would please me to have him as
comrade.
After this I went more than once to the house where Captain Smith
lodged, and learned very much concerning what it was proposed to
do toward building a town in the new world.
Both Nathaniel and I had believed it was the king who counted to
send all these people overseas; but I learned from my new master
that a company of London merchants was in charge of the enterprise,
these merchants believing much profit might come to them in the
way of getting gold.
The whole business was to be under the control of Captain Bartholomew
Gosnold, who, it was said, had already made one voyage to the new
world, and had brought back word that it was a goodly place in which
to settle and to build up towns. The one chosen to act as admiral
of the fleet, for there were to be three ships instead of one, as
I had fancied, was Captain Christopher Newport, a man who had no
little fame as a seaman.
In due time, as the preparations for the voyage were being forwarded,
I was sent by my master into lodgings at Blackwall, just below
London town, for the fleet lay nearby, and because it was understood
by those in charge of the adventure that I was in Captain Smith's
service, no hindrance was made to my going on board the vessels.
THE VESSELS OF THE FLEET
These were three in number, as I have already said: the Constant,
a ship of near to one hundred tons in size; the Goodspeed, of forty
tons, and the Discovery, which was a pinnace of only twenty tons.
And now, lest some who read what I have set down may not be
acquainted with the words used by seamen, let me explain that the
measurement of a vessel by tons, means that she will fill so much
space in the water. Now, in measuring a vessel, a ton is reckoned
as forty cubic feet of space, therefore when I say the Susan Constant
was one hundred tons in size, it is the same as if I had set down
that she would carry four thousand cubic feet of cargo.
That he who reads may know what I mean by a pinnace, as differing
from a ship, I can best make it plain by saying that such a craft
is an open boat, wherein may be used sails or oars, and, as in the
case of the Discovery, may have a deck over a certain portion of
her length. That our pinnace was a vessel able to withstand such
waves as would be met with in the ocean, can be believed when you
remember that she was one half the size of the Goodspeed, which we
counted a ship.
HOW I EARNED MY PASSAGE
Captain Smith, my master, found plenty of work for me during the
weeks before the fleet sailed. He had many matters to be set down
in writing, and because of my mother's care in teaching me to use
the quill, I was able, or so it seemed to me, to be of no little
aid to him in those busy days, when it was as if he must do two or
three things at the same time in order to bring his business to
an end. I learned during that time to care very dearly for this
valiant soldier, who could, when the fit was on him, be as tender
and kind as a girl, and again, when he was crossed, as stern a man
as one might find in all London town.
Because of my labors, and it pleased me greatly that I could do
somewhat toward forwarding the adventure, I had no time in which to
search for my friend, Nathaniel Peacock, although I did not cease
to hope that he would try to find me.
I had parted with him in the city, and he knew right well where
I was going; yet, so far as I could learn, he had never come to
Blackwall.
I had no doubt but that I could find him in the city, and it was
in my mind, at the first opportunity, to seek him out, if for no
other reason than that we might part as comrades should, for he
had been a true friend to me when my heart was sore; but from the
moment the sailors began to put the cargo on board the Susan Constant
and the Goodspeed, I had no chance to wander around Blackwall, let
alone journeying to London.
Then came the twentieth of December, when we were to set sail,
and great was the rejoicing among the people, who believed that
we would soon build up a city in the new world, which would be of
great wealth and advantage to those in England.
I heard it said, although I myself was not on shore to see what
was done, that in all the churches prayers were made for our safe
journeying, and there was much marching to and fro of soldiers, as
if some great merrymaking were afoot.
The shore was lined with people; booths were set up where showmen
displayed for pay many curious things, and food and sweetmeats
were on sale here and there, for so large a throng stood in need
of refreshment as well as amusement.
It was a wondrous spectacle to see all these people nearby on the
shore, knowing they had come for no other purpose than to look at
us, and I took no little pride to myself because of being numbered
among the adventurers, even vainly fancying that many wondered what
part a boy could have in such an undertaking.
Then we set sail, I watching in vain for a glimpse of Nathaniel
Peacock as the ships got under way. Finally, sadly disappointed,
and with the sickness of home already in my heart, I went into the
forward part of the ship, where was my sleeping place, thinking
that very shortly we should be tossing and tumbling on the mighty
waves of the ocean.
In this I was mistaken, for the wind was contrary to our purpose,
and we lay in the Downs near six weeks, while Master Hunt, the
preacher, who had joined the company that he might labor for the
good of our souls; lay so nigh unto death in the cabin of the Susan
Constant, that I listened during all the waking hours of the night,
fearing to hear the tolling of the ship's bell, which would tell
that he had gone from among the living.
It was on the second night, after we were come to anchor in the
Downs awaiting a favorable wind, that I, having fallen asleep while
wishing Nathaniel Peacock might have been with us, was awakened
by the pressure of a cold hand upon my cheek. I was near to crying
aloud with fear, for the first thought that came was that Master
Hunt had gone from this world, and was summoning me; but before
the cry could escape my lips, I heard the whispered words: "It is
me, Nate Peacock!"
It can well be guessed that I was sitting bolt upright in the
narrow bed, which sailors call a bunk, by the time this had been
said, and in the gloom of the seamen's living place I saw a head
close to mine.
Not until I had passed my hands over the face could I believe it
was indeed my comrade, and it goes without saying that straightway
I insisted on knowing how he came there, when he should have been
in London town.
I cannot set the story down as Nathaniel Peacock told it to me on
that night, because his words were many; but the tale ran much like
this:
NATHANIEL'S STORY
When Captain John Smith had promised on Cheapside that I should
be one of the company of adventurers, because of such labor as it
might be possible for me to perform, and had refused to listen to
my comrade, Nathaniel, without acquainting me with the fact, had made
up his mind that he also would go into the new world of Virginia.
Fearing lest I would believe it my duty to tell Captain Smith of his
purpose, he kept far from me, doing whatsoever he might in London
town to earn as much as would provide him with food during a certain
time.
In this he succeeded so far as then seemed necessary, and when it
was known that the fleet was nearly ready to make sail, he came to
Blackwall with all his belongings tied in his doublet.
To get on board the Susan Constant without attracting much attention
while she was being visited by so many curious people, was not
a hard task for Nathaniel Peacock, and three days before the fleet
was got under way, my comrade had hidden himself in the very foremost
part of the ship, where were stored the ropes and chains.
There he had remained until thirst, or hunger, drove him out, on
this night of which I am telling you, and he begged that I go on
deck, where were the scuttle butts, to get him a pannikin of water.
For those of you who may not know what a scuttle butt is, I will
explain that it is a large cask in which fresh water is kept on
shipboard. When Nathaniel's burning thirst had been soothed, he
began to fear that I might give information to Captain John Smith
concerning him; but after all that had been done in the way of
hiding himself, and remembering his suffering, I had not the heart
so to do.
During four days more he spent all the hours of sunshine, and the
greater portion of the night, in my bed, closely covered so that
the sailors might not see him, and then came the discovery, when he
was dragged out with many a blow and harsh word to give an account
of himself. I fear it would have gone harder still with Nathaniel,
if I had not happened to be there at that very moment.
As it was, I went directly to Captain John Smith, my master,
telling him all Nathaniel's story, and asking if the lad had not
shown himself made of the proper stuff to be counted on as one of
the adventurers.
Although hoping to succeed in my pleading, I was surprised when
the captain gave a quick consent to number the lad among those who
were to go into the new land of Virginia, and was even astonished
when his name was written down among others as if he had been
pledged to the voyage in due form.
But for the sickness of Master Hunt, and the fear we had lest he
should die, Nathaniel and I might have made exceeding merry while
we lay at anchor in the Downs, for food was plentiful; there was
little of work to be done, and we lads could have passed the time
skylarking with such of the sailors as were disposed to sport,
except orders had been given that no undue noise be made on deck.
WE MAKE SAIL AGAIN
It seemed to me almost as if we spent an entire lifetime within
sight of the country we were minded to leave behind us, and indeed
six weeks, with no change of scene, and while one is held to the
narrow limits of a ship, is an exceeding long time.
However, as I have heard Captain Smith say again and again,
everything comes to him who waits, and so also came that day when
the winds were favoring; when Captain Newport, the admiral of our
fleet, gave the word to make sail, and we sped softly away from
England's shores, little dreaming of that time of suffering, of
sickness, and of sadness which was before us.
To Nathaniel and me, who had never strayed far from London town, and
knew no more of the sea than might have been gained in a boatman's
wherry, the ocean was exceeding unkind, and for eight and forty
hours did we lie in that narrow bed, believing death was very near
at hand.
There is no reason why I should make any attempt at describing the
sickness which was upon us, for I have since heard that it comes
to all who go out on the sea for the first time. When we recovered,
it was suddenly, like as a flower lifts up its head after a refreshing
shower that has pelted it to the ground.
I would I might set down here all which came to us during the
voyage, for it was filled with wondrous happenings; but because I
would tell of what we did in the land of Virginia, I must be sparing
of words now.
THE FIRST ISLAND
It is to be remembered that our fleet left London on the twentieth
day of December, and, as I have since heard Captain Smith read
from the pages which he wrote concerning the voyage, it was on the
twenty-third of March that we were come to the island of Martinique,
where for the first time Nathaniel Peacock and I saw living savages.
When we were come to anchor, they paddled out to our ships in frail
boats called canoes, bringing many kinds of most delicious fruits,
which we bought for such trumpery things as glass beads and ornaments
of copper.
It was while we lay off this island that we saw a whale attacked and
killed by a thresher and a swordfish, which was a wondrous sight.
And now was a most wicked deed done by those who claimed to be in
command of our company, for they declared that my master had laid
a plot with some of the men in each vessel of the fleet, whereby
the principal members of the company were to be murdered, to the
end that Captain Smith might set himself up as king after we were
come to the new world.
All this was untrue, as I knew full well, having aided him in such
work as a real clerk would have done, and had there been a plot,
I must have found some inkling of it in one of the many papers I
read aloud to him, or copied down on other sheets that the work of
the quill might be more pleasing to the eye.
Besides that, I had been with the captain a goodly portion of the
time while the ships were being made ready for the voyage, and if
he had harbored so much of wickedness, surely must some word of it
have come to me, who sat or stood near at hand, listening attentively
whenever he had speech with others of the company of adventurers.
CAPTAIN SMITH A PRISONER
When the voyage was begun, and the captain no longer had need of
me, I was sent into the forward part of the ship to live, as has
already been set down, and therefore it was I knew nothing of what
was being done in the great cabin, where the leaders of the company
were quartered, until after my master was made a prisoner. Then it
was told me by the seaman who had been called by Captain Kendall,
as if it was feared my master, being such a great soldier, might
strive to harm those who miscalled him a traitor to that which he
had sworn.
It seems, so the seaman said, that Captain John Martin was the one
who made the charges against my master, on the night after we set
sail from Martinique, when all the chief men of the company were
met in the great cabin, and he declared that, when it was possible
to do so, meaning after we had come to the land of Virginia, witnesses
should be brought from the other ships to prove the wicked intent.
Then it was that Captain George Kendall declared my master must be
kept a close prisoner until the matter could be disposed of, and
all the others, save Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, agreeing, heavy
irons were put upon him. He was shut up in his sleeping place, having
made no outcry nor attempt to do any harm, save that he declared
himself innocent of wrong doing.
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