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Period: to
Pilgrim Struggles
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A thorn on the ship
In the journal, Bradford mentions a passanger in the Mayflower who constantly complains about the people who were sick and wanted them to be thrown out the ship. Ironically, that man contracted this illness and died afterwards. According to Bradford, God punished the man who condemned those who were sick. "Thus his curses light in his own head, and it was an astonishment to all his fellow for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him"(29). -
Fierce Storms
They encountered many fierce storms, and their ship was on the verge of being destroyed. The ship was leaking, one of the main beams in the midships was cracked. Many argued on how to fix the damages, but they end up fixing it by using the great iron screw brought by the passengers. They all worked together to fix the ship. “So they committed themselves to the will of God and resolved to proceed” (30). -
Thrown of board
One of the passengers, John Howland, was thrown of the sea during a storm, but he hold on to the topsail halyards and was hauled up. Bradford then mentioned that he lived many years, and he was a big help to the church and commonwealth, “but it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length” (31) -
Landing
After long beating journey at sea, the Puritans finally lands in Cape Cod. Many was unhappy of their situation. The ship members decided to sail towards the Hudson River for their habitation, but they encountered roaring winds and dangerous shoals. They were glad that they escaped that place before the night falls. “they resolved to bear up again for the Cape and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook the, as by God’s good providence they did”(31) -
Harsh Weather
Many died because of harsh winter, infected by diseases such as scurvy, and no appropriate shelter to protect them. There were six to seven people who risked their health to fetch wood, made fire, cook food, made bed and washed clothes for those who were disabled. Without any grudges, they showed true friendship and brotherhood toward each other. “And yet the Lord so upheld these persons as in this general calamity they were not all infected either with sickness or lameness” (32). -
The Meeting
Some natives stole their tools when they were away. One boldly approached them and talked in broken English. His name was Samoset. He later introduced some of the chiefs and one of his friends, Squanto. After entertainment and gifts, they made peace by setting up rules. Squanto later stayed with them, and showed them how to survive the new found land.
“Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation” (33).
