6

April 19, 1607

Smith is a survivor! I can learn much from watching him. We sailed along the islands of the West Indies days ago and disembarked on several occasions to replenish supplies of food and water. We stayed three days on one lush tropical isle named Nevis.

Archer told us, “Here we shall wash our clothes and ourselves. We shall eat good foods of this place and recover our strength. Then we shall take care of our prisoner and leave his body like carrion for the scavenging natives!”

“Ah,” said Edward Brookes. “Entertainment for us all.”

Richard, Samuel, and I were compelled to carry several gentlemen’s goods up the ladder, but when we got out on deck, we found soldiers, gentlemen, and captains alike staring in amazement over the railing at the shore.

John Smith was standing on the sandy beach, alone. He was in full uniform, with his helmet in place, breast armor on, and cape swept back, showing his sword, dagger, and powder horn. From his boot top protruded yet another, smaller dagger. In one hand was a musket. Smith was smiling as if to say, “Come and get me, any who dare!”

Archer shook his fist. “How did that man get ashore? How did he gain access to weapons?”

Kendall shouted, “Who helped this murderous villain gain transportation to the shore?”

No one answered. Each man seemed as confused as the other. The pinnace had been lowered into the water already, so clearly someone had rowed the captain ashore.

I couldn’t imagine who had done this, but was glad.

Archer complained angrily to Newport as the gentlemen took their turns being rowed to the beach. The pinnaces from the Discovery and Godspeed also carried their passengers to the banks of the island, although once on the land, no one went to take hold of John Smith. Instead, everyone stood back and watched as Smith settled himself on the ground with a few curious, naked natives who had come from the forest, and tried to hold conversation with them.

Richard and I were in the last shuttle. As I climbed down into the pinnace, I heard Archer tell Newport on deck, “The carpenter Edward Pising will bring tools. There is wood here. We will carry out Smith’s sentence in spite of his trickery.”

The sand on the island was warm. Sailors brought the store of weapons ashore. Even Richard, Samuel, and I were outfitted with helmets and muskets. Once everyone was off the ships and gathered around, we knelt while Reverend Hunt blessed the land and the ships and the voyage.

“Protect us and let us carry Your glory into this land,” Hunt prayed.

Then everyone stood and looked again at John Smith.

Archer said, “We will now build a gallows for Smith!”

But Newport said, “Indeed? I have decided I will not go after Smith. See how quickly he has made friends of the savages yonder? He is invaluable. Leave him be.”

Archer was incredulous. “Leave him be? We held court and he is condemned to die! Kendall, support what I say.”

Captain Kendall came and stood beside Archer, but the eye he kept on Smith showed hesitation.

Reverend Hunt then approached Newport and the other two captains and said quietly, “God may have His hand in this. Smith has befriended the savages, blessing our presence with peace rather than war.”

“I cannot believe my ears!” shouted Archer.

“Do you mean to confront him, then?” asked Newport. “Go ahead, Archer, if you feel you cannot face another day without hanging John Smith!”

Archer glared at Smith, who had stood now and had turned again to face the company of men. The wind tossed his cape; the smile on his face was defiant and confident.

“Face him and his talents with sword and dagger,” said Newport. “But you and Kendall will do it alone, for I will have nothing to do with the man’s death.”

Archer stared at Smith for another moment, then spun on his heel and stalked away. Kendall trotted after.

With Newport’s unofficial pardon of Smith’s conviction, we all went about exploration. We journeyed inland and found a large, warm spring which was just the proper temperature for long and soothing baths. Smith was back in the fold; he chatted with a number of the men and laughed with others, while Archer, Kendall, and their close friends scowled uselessly.

Days later we sailed west to an equally lovely island of the West Indies called Mona. It was here, on April 7th, that we lost the gentleman Edward Brookes on a lush green hillside. A long hike proved too much. I heard the gentleman George Percy explain to another that Brookes’s fat melted inside him and he died. I learned much from the sniveling Brookes. I learned what type of man I will never become, regardless of the wealth I gain in Virginia.

We are on our ships again, with no more stops between here and Virginia. Samuel has grown melancholy and quiet. Even with his master out of chains, he seems as if he’s lost some of his nastiness. I think I liked him better when he was obnoxious. At least, he was more interesting.

Soon we will be there. Soon.

Soon I shall walk barefoot in the gold I have come to know so intimately in my dreams. I shall build my home and send for servants from London to work for me, to tend my animals and raise my garden and stand guard over my treasures. I will be strong like John Smith, and cunning, and quick. I will never be cold again. I will never be poor again. I will never be hungry again.

The time is so close. The time of suffering is nearly done!

Thank God.