“Oh, thank you, Mary Elizabeth.” The other woman nodded.
John set her down on the crate. Then Mary Elizabeth wrapped her in another blanket.
“Thank you, Mr. Alden.”
John bowed. “It was my privilege, miss.” He clapped his hands together and rubbed his arms. “It’s a might chilly.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” William gave Mary Elizabeth a smile.
“So …” John looked between William and Mary Elizabeth. “What are we talking about?”
CHAPTER 19
Saturday, 11 November 1620
As the sun rose in the east, the Mayflower rounded the top of the hook-shaped land that they’d all come to know was Cape Cod. William gathered with the other men to finalize the document that they all hoped would allow them to go ashore legally and with combined purpose.
The past day hadn’t been a fun one.
Once the bickering started when Master Jones turned back to New England, they all knew some order would have to be made. Without the patent for their location, they wouldn’t have land distributed to them once their obligations to the company were fulfilled. And without that same patent, the company had no right to govern. They either had to join together for the good of the settlement, or they would perish in disharmony. Everyone’s livelihood depended upon them coming together.
Finally, a decision had been made and a document created. The men would all sign the document to create a government together. They would choose a leader together, work together, and get word back for their fellows in England to obtain the patent for the land they chose.
As the ship readied to lay anchor, each able-bodied man came forward to sign:
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant, and combine ourselves together in a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.
Signed …
John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, William Brewster, Isaac Allerton, Myles Standish, John Alden, Samuel Fuller, Christopher Martin, William Mullins, William White, Richard Warren, John Howland, Stephen Hopkins, Edward Tilley, John Tilley, Francis Cooke, Thomas Rogers, Thomas Tinker, John Rigsdale, Edward Fuller, John Turner, Francis Eaton, James Chilton, John Crackstone, John Billington, Moses Fletcher, John Goodman, Degory Priest, Thomas Williams, Gilbert Winslow, Edmund Margesson, Peter Browne, Richard Britteridge, George Soule, Richard Clarke, Richard Gardiner, John Allerton, Thomas English, Edward Doty, Edward Leister
William watched as the men shook hands with John Carver, who’d been chosen as their first governor.
Now they could finally go ashore.
Master Jones had the Mayflower secured in the harbor just within the hook of Cape Cod, and the crew took care of the sails and rigging.
Governor Carver called the group together.
“Our first objective should be to get the shallop put back together. Master Jones has offered to use their longboat to take people back and forth to the shore, and the ship’s carpenter will begin work on reconstructing the shallop.”
William lifted his hand. “I’d be glad to assist with that, sir.”
“Aye, and me.” John Alden raised his hand.
“Good, good.” Carver chose several other men who were able to stand more readily. Since most everyone had been sick, there weren’t many who had strength to chop wood. “We will need you to go ashore and secure firewood.” He turned to a couple other men. “I’ll need you to search for a source of fresh water. Tomorrow is the Sabbath, so we must accomplish everything we can today.”
The men nodded and set to work. Instead of being cooped up on a ship, they finally had a purpose. William followed John down to the gun deck, where the shallop was stored in pieces. Several people had been living within the pieces, and it had all taken a bruising during some of the fiercest storms.
Once the ship pieces were top deck, they were lowered into the long boat. “Go get your tools, men,” Carver shouted.
William raced down the steps one more time. At the bottom, he ran into Mary Elizabeth. “I’m so glad to see you. I have been assigned to go ashore and work on the shallop. As soon as we can get it back together, we’ll be able to explore the whole shoreline and find the spot for the settlement.”
Her eyes twinkled as she gave him a small smile. “That’s wonderful news, William. I’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank you. Now, I need to go fetch my tools.” He turned to go to his quarters and then spun back around. He couldn’t leave without saying one more thing. “Mary Elizabeth?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be thinking of you …”
“Aye.” She ducked her head. “And I you.”
Sunday, 12 November 1620
The Sunday morning dawned bright and cheerful. Their first day ashore had brought them plenty of wood to burn, and many thankful prayers had been offered heavenward. The passengers who were strong enough stood gathered together on the main deck for their day of worship.
Even the Strangers who had been most against the Saints’ rules and regulations gladly stood alongside and joined in on the praise to God and study of scripture. William was amazed.
God had been good to them. And now they were working together.
The only knot in the workings was the shallop. It would take days—possibly even weeks—to repair all the broken pieces and reassemble the small sailing vessel. While they had the longboat, it could only carry so many, and Master Jones was encouraging them to find a settlement as quickly as possible so he, his crew, and his ship could return to England. That meant the longboat would go with them.
Myles Standish decided to organize some groups to explore what they could on foot. But all that would have to wait. Because Sunday was their holy day.
Elder Brewster stood up on a crate and led them all in prayer. As William bowed his head, he felt a hand in his. After the amen, he looked beside him to find Mary Elizabeth. The beautiful red cloak was wrapped around her shoulders, and her eyes shone.
She released his hand and smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” he whispered, and his heart soared. She’d sought him out and held his hand. Before she appeared, William wondered how he would stay warm during the whole service, but now the cold couldn’t touch him.
The people all sat down around the deck as their leader read from Psalm sixty-seven. For the first time in his life, William discovered a church service that wasn’t boring. The words came alive and ministered to his heart.
“ ‘… Let the people praise Thee, O God: let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, & God, even our God shall bless us. God shall bless us, & all the ends of the earth shall fear him.’ ” Elder Brewster lowered his head for a moment in silence. When he raised it back up, his eyes held the sheen of tears. “My brothers and sisters, our God has indeed blessed us. And we will pray for the Lord to anoint the earth to yield her increase to us as we work in His name.”
Several amens sounded around the deck.
“Let’s look at Psalm seventy-one now. ‘In thee, O Lord, I trust: let me never be
ashamed. Rescue me and deliver me in thy righteousness: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong rock.’”
The same psalm that Brewster had taken William through awhile back. It washed over him like a cleansing stream. Yes, Lord, in You I put my trust.
As he sat next to Mary Elizabeth, the meaning became even clearer. If he was going to be an honorable man worthy of her love and affection, he’d have to continually put his trust in the Lord. For the first time in his life, all the pain and despair of his past melted away. He didn’t have to carry it around anymore, for the Lord was his refuge. The Lord was his strength. The Lord had given him hope.
Last night as he’d recorded all the day’s happenings in the journal, he’d thought of Mary Elizabeth. Maybe it was time to tell her everything about his past. Maybe it was time to tell her how he cared for her.
He looked at the beautiful lady next to him. Could he deserve such a love?
Taking her hand in his, he gave it a squeeze. She may not understand now, but he would explain it to her one day.
Hopefully soon.
CHAPTER 20
Wednesday, 15 November 1620
Mary Elizabeth stretched her back and stood at the bulwark, watching the men go ashore. For two days, she’d done nothing but help the women with their laundry. Lots and lots of laundry. Two months’ worth. While most of them wore the same clothes the entirety of the voyage, they now had a newborn aboard in addition to the younger children who needed changes of clothes more often than the adults. But her heart ached a bit watching the men leave. Even though the work of laundry had been grueling, it gave her the chance to go ashore and stand on solid ground again for the first time in weeks. And it didn’t hurt that she’d been able to see William as he worked on the shallop.
Shaking her head, she tried to focus on something else. Thoughts of William seemed to invade her mind a lot these days.
And she wouldn’t be seeing him at all today since they were separated, so there was no use wallowing in that. Mary Elizabeth turned her gaze back to the ship’s deck. Looking around, she placed her hands on her hips. What could she be thankful for?
They made it across the ocean and didn’t shipwreck.
There was access to land and prayerfully they’d find fresh water.
But so many were still sick. Her heart sank.
Shaking her head, Mary Elizabeth closed her eyes. She wouldn’t allow her thoughts to go there. Father and Dorothy would get better now that they were anchored and safe.
And at least the horrific stench was finally going away on the gun deck. Since they’d been at anchor for several days and the weather was relatively calm, the seasickness had finally stopped. Many still suffered from disease which she could only assume was scurvy. That’s what she should concentrate on. Helping the sick.
She’d been doing it for weeks, and it was a useful occupation of her mind. Turning back to the bulwark, she determined to see the men reach shore and then get back to work. It was the least she could do to help the surgeon.
Poor Mr. Heale. Mary Elizabeth found out that he’d hired on as the ship’s surgeon and it had been his first contract on a ship since he’d only finished his apprenticeship the August prior. With so much sickness and two already dead, it had to be difficult for the poor man. Several of the sailors had been injured during one of the storms, and now he had this scurvy problem.
They’d relied on him a lot. But he was just as anxious to get back to England as the rest of the crew because he’d filed his intent to marry Mary Jarrett back in London. New resolve flooded through her. She would do whatever she could to help.
If only Mr. Fuller could fully recover. The man was a doctor but had also been too sick to help anyone else. They’d definitely need him if they were to survive the winter.
The men reached the shore and waved back to the Mayflower. The longboat would come back for another group of men to scavenge for food and water.
She turned from the bulwark and headed for the steps. Every muscle in her body ached from all that scrubbing, but at least it had kept her busy and her mind off William.
She would miss seeing his face.
She shook her head. Time to get her mind off of her handsome carpenter. Dorothy needed her and so did Father, along with the many others who still suffered.
When she reached the gun deck, the gun ports and hatches were all open and a nice, crisp breeze helped to air out the tight space. David sat in the middle of the floor spinning his top for several of the younger children.
The voyage across the ocean had changed him. He’d not only grown in stature but also in maturity. Helping with everything from emptying chamber pots to feeding those too weak to feed themselves, David was a bright spot on the ship. It made her heart swell to think of her little brother bringing joy to others around them.
She worked her way back to their little, curtained-off area that had been home for so long. While it had been safe and secure on the ship, she couldn’t help but look forward to the day when they had a home again.
“Mary Elizabeth, is that you?”
She raced to Father’s side and knelt down. “It’s me. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you awoke.”
“Don’t worry, child. I just opened my eyes when I heard your footsteps.”
“It’s good to hear your voice.” She couldn’t help it; the tears sprang to her eyes unbidden.
He reached up to touch her cheek. “Don’t cry on my behalf.”
She pasted on a smile. “Would you like me to open the curtain so you can see some of the light coming in?”
Father nodded.
Pulling the curtain aside at his feet, she hoped the light shining toward his face would be pleasant.
“That’s nice, Mary Elizabeth. Thank you for thinking of that.” He patted the spot beside him. “Come, sit.” His breaths came in short gasps when he spoke.
Taking her place, she placed a hand on his forehead. “Is there anything you need or that I could get for you?”
“No. I just need to speak to my daughter.” His eyes turned sad. “I miss your mother.”
“I do too.”
He laid a hand on hers. “What I’m trying to say is that I think it’s time for the Lord to…take me home.” A single tear slipped down his cheek. He swallowed and took a shaky breath.
Mary Elizabeth shook her head. “No, Father, don’t say—”
“Hush, child. Let me speak. I will want to speak to David while I still have the energy, but I need you to know…that I trust you to raise him up in the Lord.”
Emotion swelled into her throat. No. He couldn’t be dying, could he?
“The papers in the trunk are in order.” He paused for a moment. “Elder Brewster saw to that yesterday …. You will inherit my share…along with yours and the property allotted to…David.” He closed his eyes for a moment and took several long but shallow breaths. “The seven-year contract should go by fast and…you will be well set for your future.”
“But Father …” Great sobs shook her shoulders as the tears streaked down her face.
“No, Mary Elizabeth. It’s time…I know it is. I only asked the Lord for enough energy to speak to you one last time.” He took another shaky breath. “That young Mr. Lytton is a good man. Elder Brewster speaks highly…of him.”
She nodded.
“Do you love him, Mary Elizabeth?”
“I…I don’t know…but I think I might.”
Father lifted his lips in a slight smile. “Your mother and I always wished that…you would marry for love as we did …. We were ready to arrange a marriage for you…if that was what you wanted.” He patted her hand and then put his arm back across his chest. His breaths were rapid and short. “If William joins the congregation, you have my full blessing, my child.”
“But Father, I want…no I need you to be there for my wedding. Can’t you please fight this disease?”
“You have no need but that of a relationship with your Savior, my child.” H
e closed his eyes again. It seemed to take all his strength just to speak.
“Father, please, don’t waste all your energy on me.”
He shook his head. “It’s not a waste …. I would want nothing more than to see my daughter wed, if…I wasn’t called home to the Lord …. You have to let me go, Mary Elizabeth. You have to be strong …. For David. For William…For the colony.”
She sucked in a breath and nodded her head.
“I love you, my beautiful, precious daughter.”
“I love you too, Papa.”
“Go get David, I don’t have much left in me.”
Mary Elizabeth stood and kissed her father on the forehead, then called down the deck for David.
“Mary Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Father?”
“Would you ask one of the elders to come pray with me?”
“Of course.” She stepped out of their quarters.
David ran toward her and stopped short when he saw her face. “Is everything all right?”
She hugged him tight and crouched down in front of him. “I need you to be very brave. Father wants to speak to you, and he doesn’t think he’ll be with us for much longer. Can you be strong for him?”
“Yes, Mary Elizabeth. I’m a man now.” He strode purposefully toward Father’s bed.
Her heart squeezed with emotion for her little brother. So much heartache at such a young age.
With a deep breath, she swallowed her tears and went to fulfill her father’s request.
William climbed aboard the Mayflower, exhausted and sore. Night had fallen, and they expected the crew of explorers would stay ashore as they’d journeyed a great distance down the cape. The shallop was in such sad shape that it would take them weeks to put it back together again. If they had the right materials, they could construct it faster, but they had to work with what they had. No matter the time involved, he was willing to do whatever was necessary to help their group accomplish its goal. The barren wilderness surrounded them in this unoccupied territory. It would probably take a long time to explore it all and find a decent spot to settle. Winter was already upon them.
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