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The Mean Sailor
While on the Mayflower, Bradford recalls of a sailor who was abusing some of the passengers. He says that the sailor was cursing the passengers and causing a lot of trouble. This sailor eventually caught a sickness and was killed. The people believed that it was the hand of God that did so. "Thus his curses light on his own head and it was and astonishment to all his fellows for theu noted it to be the just hand of God"(29). -
The Broken Beam
As the Puritans continued on their journey, Bradford remembers the main beam on the Mayflower cracking due to strong storm winds. The crew of the ship had to search for ways to fix it eventually by using a large iron screw to do so. "But in examinating of all opinions, the master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm underwater; and as for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam"(30). -
The Starving Time
During winter, disease was rough on the ship passengers. Bradford recalls scurvy and other diseases took over most of the sailors and passengers, but the few that were not affected helped the situation. The healthy ones built fires and fetched food for the sick. "And yet the Lord so upheld these persons as in this general calamity they were not at all infected either with sickness or lameness" (32). -
Indian Relations
When the Puritans arrived at Plymouth Plantation, they were not aware of what the Natives would be like. Bradford writes that the Native Americans were stealing some of their tools. It was hard to tell if the Indians were hostile or friendly, but one of them approached the Puritan village and spoke to them in English. "But about the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldlyamongst them and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand but marveled at it"(32). -
Peace Agreement
Bradford tells of a particular Indian named Squanto who knew about the stealing of the tools, but could speak good English so they were able to negotiate peace. Many of the Puritans were still struggling to survive and were in need of help. Squanto agreed to show them how to fish and crop for food. "He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them unknown places for their profit.."(33).
