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: