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The Pilgrims land on Cape Cod. 39

consequence of the fatigue of a long voyage. Their provisions were bad, the season uncommonly cold, and they unacquainted with the coast.

Immediately after their landing, they fell on their knees, "with hearty praises to God who had been their assurance, when far off on the sea." They were truly in a new world. They saw whales sporting in the water; oaks, pines, sassafras, juniper, and other sweet wood, shaded their harbour, and a greater plenty of fowl, than they had ever seen, flew around them. Few particulars of their voyage have been preserved. "The people were close stowed, continually wet, the vessel leaky, one person died, and one child was born, named Oceanus."

CHA P. IV.

Excursions for discovery, a child born, another voyage for discovery, attacked by Indians, discover the place which they afterwards named Plymouth, two men left, Capt. Standish elected Commander in chief, dreadful winter, mortality ; an Indian visits them, treaty with Massasoit:

THE same day they landed they sent forth an armed party to make discoveries, who returned at night, having found nothing but water, wood, and sand hills. The next day was the sabbath, and they all rested. Monday the men went on shore to re-fresh themselves, the women to wash, attended by

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The country explored.

a guard, and the carpenter began to repair the shallop for coasting.

Wednesday, Capt. Miles Standish took a party of 16 men, well armed, and went to make further discoveries. About a mile from the sea they saw five savages, who fled. They pursued them about ten miles, but night coming on they placed sentinels, kindled a fire, and rested quietly through the night. In the morning they continued the pursuit as far as Pamet River, without discovering inhabitants or habitations; they returned as far as a pond of fresh water in Truro, and lodged there that night.

In the course of the day, in one place, they found several heaps of sand, one of which was cov ered with old mats, and an earthen pot at one end; on digging they found a bow and arrows; - presuming it was a grave, they replaced every thing. In another place they found an old iron kettle, and near it another pile of sand, in which was buried three or four bushels of Indian corn. They hesitated, but finally took the kettle and a part of the corn, resolving if ever they found the owners to return the kettle, and pay them for the corn. They afterwards discovered the owners, and liberally paid them. The corn was in a basket handsomely made. Afterward they found a place fortified with palisadoes. They were also amused with a trap to catch deer, in which one of them was caught without harm. The next day they returna nd were joyfully received by their companions.

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The corn which they found was the first fruitt of the land to them, and incalculably important. Snow covering the ground immediately after, it was impossible to find any more, and without seed they could have had no harvest the next year. As soon as the shallop was ready, a party was sent in her to examine the shore, but they found no place, which pleased them for a settlement. They brought away the rest of the corn they had: before discovered, and found some graves, and: two wigwams, but saw no Indians.

About this time Mrs. White was delivered of a son, who was named Peregrine. He was the first: English child born in New England. He died! July, 1704, aged 84..

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Wednesday December 6, they set out upon at fourth expedition for discovery. The ground had · been several days covered with snow, and the weather was extremely cold; the water freezing on their clothes, made them stiff as coats of mail; two persons were already sick. The first day they saw ten or twelve Indians, who fled; a number made a fire and slept in the woods the first: night, whence they saw the smoke of the fires kindled by the Indians. The next day, after passing some corn fields, they discovered a curious burying yard, encompassed with palisadoes; driv- · en close together, while some of the individual graves within were fenced in the same manner; they returned to the shallop at night. About mid-

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42

Attack from the Indians.

night they were alarmed by the sentinel, and fired two guns, but saw no enemy. At five in the morning, after they had prayed together, there was again a cry of, Indians! Indians! when a shower of arrows was poured upon them, attended with savage yells, terrible to the English. But the report of guns was equally novel and terrific to the Indians, who soon fled. Their arrows, which were taken up and sent to Europe as curiosities, were pointed with brass, and deer's horn, and eagle's claws. Thence after coasting further in vain, they directed their course for a harbour, their pilot had mentioned. After great dangers in a storm, they landed on Clark's island, and rested all night; the next day, being Saturday, they concluded to tarry over the sabbath, which they passed in a religious manner.*

The 17th of December, they discovered the place where Plymouth now stands, of which they gave the following account, after examining the harbour and vicinity several days. The first day they marched into the land," they found cornfields and little running brooks, a place very good for situation. Returning to the ship, the good news comforted their hearts. The bay is encompassed with good land, and in it are two fine islands, on which are nothing but woods, oaks, pines, walnut, beech, sassafras, vines, and other trees which we know not. " "The bay is a most hopeful place, with innumerable fowls and fish.”

* MORTON,

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The Pilgrims land, at Plymouth.

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The 18th they continued to explore the country, well pleased.*

"The 20th of Dec. after landing and viewing the places again as well as they could, they came to a conclusion, by most voices, to settle on the main land, on the high ground, which had been planted with corn, three or four years before, where is a sweet brook and many delicate springs of good water." This night they remained on shore, 20 in number. But a storm rising it was so tempestuous for two days, that there was no intercourse between the people on shore and those in the ves sel.†

Saturday the 23d, ‡ they began to cut timber and provide materials for building. This business found them employment, when the weather would permit, till about the 19th of Feb. The single persons united with the families, which were 19 in all. Each family built its own cottage; but they all engaged in building a store house 20 feet square, for common use. From the time of their arrival on the coast till the day of their permanent landling, the weather was unusually stormy and severe. The men, who were employed in exploring the harbours to find the best place for settlement, were exposed to extreme hardships from watchings and fastings, wet and cold. Here we find one cause of the mortal sickness which afterwards prevailed. During the month of December, six of their number died,

* WINSLOW. † PRINCE, WINSLOW,

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