Just after sunset, and before the darkness of night closed in, those
who had been on shore came back very hurriedly and in disorder, bringing
with them in the foremost boat, two wounded men.
"They have had a battle with some one, Master," I reported, before
yet the boats were come alongside, and for the first time that day did
Captain Smith appear to be deeply concerned. I heard him say as if to
himself, not intending that the words should reach me:
"Lack of caution in dealing with the savages is like to cost us dearly."
Half an hour later I heard all the story from Nathaniel Peacock, who had
believed himself fortunate when he was allowed to accompany the party on
shore.
According to his account, the company from the fleet roamed over much
of the land during the day, finding fair meadows and goodly trees, with
streams of fresh water here and there bespeaking fish in abundance.
Nothing was seen or heard to disturb our people until the signal had
been given for all to go on board the boats, that they might return to
the ships, and then it was that a number of naked, brown men, creeping
upon their hands and knees like animals, with bows and arrows held
between their teeth, came out suddenly from amid the foliage to the
number, as Nathaniel declared, of not less than an hundred.
While the white men stood dismayed, awaiting some order from those who
chose to call themselves leaders, the savages shot a multitude of arrows
into the midst of the company, wounding Captain Gabriel Archer in both
his hands, and dangerously hurting one of the seamen.
Captain Gosnold gave command for the firearms to be discharged,
whereupon the savages disappeared suddenly, and without delay our people
returned to the fleet.