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Worlding America
A Transnational Anthology of Short Narratives before 1800
By Oliver Scheiding, Martin Seidl STANFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Copyright © 2015 Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8047-9259-2
CHAPTER 1
TRAVEL
PAUL LE JEUNE
Relation of What Occurred in New France in the Year 1633 (1634)
On the 4th, another council was held; I was present with Father Brebeuf, because the embarkation of our Fathers was to be talked over. Sieur de Champlain made his presents, which corresponded in value to those that the Hurons had made him. To accept presents from the Savages is to bind oneself to return an equivalent. A great many things were spoken of in this council; among others, the Hurons asked for the liberation of the Savage prisoner who had recently killed a Frenchman, as I stated above. Sieur de Champlain sought earnestly to make the Hurons understand that it was not right to restore him to liberty; and that, having killed a Frenchman who had done him no harm, he deserved death. The Hurons were satisfied with the reason given them. They spoke also of the friendship contracted between them and the French, saying that it would be greatly strengthened by the Fathers going into their country.
The Hurons were the happiest people in the world. Those who were to embark and to carry the Fathers in their canoes had already received pay for their future trouble; we had placed in their hands the parcels or little baggage of the Fathers. We had gone to the Storehouse to sleep, Father de Nouë and I, with our three Fathers, that we might see them off early the next morning in their little canoes, and might say to them our last farewell, when all at once our joy was changed into sadness. At about ten or eleven o'clock that night, a one-eyed Savage, belonging to the Island tribe, closely allied to the tribe of the prisoner, went among the cabins of all the Savages crying out that they should be careful not to take any Frenchmen in their canoes, and that the relatives of the prisoner were on the watch along the river to kill the Frenchmen, if they could catch them during the passage. On the previous Sunday some Savages of the same tribe as the prisoner had held a council with the captains of the Montagnaits, of the island Savages, and of the Hurons, to determine how they might secure the pardon of this prisoner. The Hurons were besought to ask it. They refused, and this Island Savage, whose tribe was allied to the tribe of the murderer, raised this general cry among the cabins, warning every one not to give passage to a Frenchman, unless they wished to place him in evident danger of his life. Having heard the cry, and Father Brebeuf, who was listening, having interpreted its meaning to me, I went with Father de Nouë to the fort to give information of the same to sieur de Champlain.
We had been sleeping in the storehouse of the French, around which the Savages were encamped. The Fort was opened to us; and, after having made known the object of our night visit, we returned to the place whence we had departed. Upon the way we found the Captains of the Savages in council, to whom the Interpreter, according to the order of sieur de Champlain, declared that he desired to talk to them once more before their departure. The next morning, at daybreak, a Savage passed through the camp proclaiming that they were not to depart that day; and that the young men should keep the peace, and that those who had not sold all their merchandise should sell it. About eight or nine in the morning, sieur de Champlain again assembled the Captains of the Hurons, the Island Savages who had made this outcry, and the Captain of the Montagnaits. He asked the Savage why he had aroused that opposition; he answered that the whole country was in a state of alarm, and that it would be lost if the French were embarked to be taken to the Hurons, for the relatives of the prisoner would not fail to kill some of the party and that thereupon war would be declared; that the Hurons even would be dragged into it; for, if they defended the French, they would be attacked, and that thus the whole country would be lost; that he had not aroused any opposition, but had merely made known the wicked designs of the murderer's relatives; that, if the prisoner were released, these troubles would immediately be ended, and that the river and the whole country would be free.
The Hurons were asked if they still adhered to their wish to take us to their country. They answered that the river was not theirs, and that great caution must be observed in regard to those other tribes, if they were to pass by in security. As far as they were concerned, they asked nothing better than to furnish passage to the French. I observed the discretion of these Savages, for they gave evidence of their affection for us, in such manner as not to offend the tribes through which they must pass in coming to Kebec. One of them, addressing the Island Savage, said: "Now listen; when we shall be up there in thy country, do not say that we have not spoken in behalf of the prisoner; we have done all that we could, but what answer wouldst thou have us make to the reasons given by sieur de Champlain? The French are the friends of all of us; if it depended only upon us, we should embark them." It must be confessed that the Hurons showed a strong inclination to take our Fathers with them. Sieur de Champlain, seeing this so sudden change, did all in his power, and gave us liberty to advance all the reasons we could, to the end that our fathers might be set on their way. He urged very strong and very pertinent reasons; he used threats; he proposed peace and war; in short nothing more could be desired. But to all this the Savage answered that they could not restrain their young men; that he had given warning of their wicked intentions, and that the French ought to postpone their departure for this year; that they would vent their anger upon the Hiroquois, their enemies, and then the river would be free. "Do not blame us," said he, "if misfortune overtakes you; for we could not restore order." Thereupon, in order to win over this Savage, I asked for the pardon of the prisoner, having previously agreed upon this with sieur de Champlain, who replied to me that it was a matter of life and death with him, and that our great King would ask him to give an account of the man who had been killed. I begged him to suspend the execution of the death sentence, until the King might be spoken to, and his will learned. And thereupon, following my point, I addressed the Savages, representing our affection for them; saying that we had never sought the death of any one; that we everywhere tried to promote peace.
Sieur de Champlain did admirably on his part, saying that we talked to God; that we were loved by all who knew us, that he wanted no other witnesses of this than the Hurons themselves, who had cherished us so dearly; that we were going to teach them great things. The Hurons answered that it was very well, that we had proposed a good expedient; that of postponing the death of this Savage until we should have news from our great King. I then importuned the Island Savage, asking him whether the prisoner's kindred, if they knew that we were pleading for him, would not allow us to pass if they encountered us. "What dost thou wish me to say?" he answered, "they are furious. If the prisoner is not liberated, there is no safety; they will pardon no one." Thereupon the Interpreter replied: "If they act the part of devils, so will we." In a word, Sieur de Champlain intimidated them, saying they must look out for themselves; that if a Savage was seen with arms, he would give permission to his men to fire upon him and kill him; that they [the savages] had threatened him himself, because he went about alone; but hereafter he would not go around like a child, but like a soldier. "I am a friend to all, you are my friends," said he to the Hurons; "I love you; I have risked my life for you, I will risk it again; I will protect you; but I am the enemy of evil-doers."
EDWARD TAYLOR
An Atlantic Voyage (1668)
[Anno D]omini. 1668. April 26, being Lord's [day, a]t between 10-11 at night, I came [for s]ea, taking [a] bote at Execution Dock, Wa[pping], with another, [a] Gentlewoman, and had a smoo[th] tide, a gentle Gale of Winde and a prosporous [fa]re to Gravesend about 4 on the 2[nd] day; and then the winde arose [and the w]ater was rough and so continued that [tide. A]bout 9 of [the] clocke we being dispatcht we waited for passengers till almost night. [A]t night we removed about a league.
[Tue]sday, 28, in the morning, haveing a fair [s]ail, on we went, and about eight of the cloc[k] we were over against Chatham, and the winde being somewhat contrary, we cast a[nchor] and continued till towards 6 of [the] clock at night, and th[en] striking saile we came to the Downs and there [dis]mist our Pilot, and some of our company went to [Deal?] and there continued til the next day, the winde being con[trary].
Wednesday, 29, In the Morning the ship were blown so th[at] the Boy of the Anchor were under the Rudder of the S[hip]; the winde was still contrary and somewhat high. [At] noon the Shipmaster went ashore, and came no [more] that day. At evening his bote had liked [to] hav[e been] lost, the winds being still high and contrary.
Thursday, 30, we are forced to tarry, the winds remaining contrary. On friday,
May 1, We are forced to tarry, for the winds we[re still c]ontrary, lying in the west. Then there came a [torn] of Marchant that were bound for Bar[badoes] [torn] with the Shipmasters, then also [torn] London and another to Sketchly. [At nigh]t the winds were high. But on Satur[day, May 2 ...] In the morning we were set upon [with a vio]lent storm, insomuch that the seamen beg[an to ap]prehend the ship to be in great danger, and [in th]eir looking to their Cables and tacklings were wet through to the skin. The waves flashed over the sh[ip. The] Mate in his hastening to his business would [oft] hasten the men with this motive, that if [the] cable should breake it were as much as a[ll our liv] es were worth. The fore Castle of the ship wa[s fi]lled ankle deep [and] flowed with water, and he said he were there till the water run out [of the] wast of his breeches. But about ten of the [cloc]k the storm was over, and in the evening the sun [set] very cleare. I being on the Decke heard a trum[pe]t play, most curiously in one of the King's [m]en of war. I also then saw a Porpus swiming [a]long the water. On the Lord's day,
May 3, I had a sad forenoone but towards evening [th]e shipmaster sent for me and injoined me to go [to] prayer with them. On Munday,
[May 4], the winde still remained in the North-west, co[ntrary] to us, but it was a comfortable day. On Tuesday, May 5, We had fare weather but a West winde [s]til. About four in the afternoone two of the King's men of war came and fired, w[h]ere before the report of the gun [t]here first gave a flash like li[ghtning, t]hen arose a thick smoke, like as a [torn] after that the burst. Wednesda[y],
May 6, Was a fair day but the [torn]. [At] night about one of [the] clock [torn ... wa]ter, [cryi]ng out for healp, who with much ado was [sav]ed though almost drowned before. He belo[ngs to] the Man of war called the Admirall, and affirms [that] there came one out before him to swim [a]way, but what was become of him, whether drowned or not, he knew not. On Thirsday,
May 7, In the morning the winde was fair for us, and [t]herefore we hoisted up saile, and on forward; and when the master called [us] to prayer the mate was backward, saying that our course was so shor[t] that we should turn before half an hour, insomuch that tarrying till we had passed that place. And so we were put off, but when he had sayled about three Leagues as was supposed, and come over against the South Point, the winde turned and was South-west, just against us, insomuch that we and many more other ships was fain to fall saile, and so were drove back to the Downs again, about two Leagues and an ha[lf], and there we cast anchor, the winde being somewhat high. But in the evening it was very com[fort]able weather, but a contrary winde. Friday,
May 8, was a cleare day but windy. Saturday,
May 9, was a calm, cleare morning but cloudy and stormy in the afternoone. On Lord's day,
May 10, In the morning it were very wet, and when it gave over raining the winde rose and was high all day.
May 11, The winde was very high, but the weather =[clear?] [a]nd in the afternoon it raind. At night I saw [the] light that was set up upon the South foreland [to] give light to passengers. Tuesday,
[M]ay 12, the winde was still contrary.
[Ma]y 13, was a comfortable day, but the winde contra[ry] [torn] [and t]herefore served right to bring in the Straits flig[ht], [for] then they came in. About noon I saw three Porpoises [like] hogs, swimming southward. On Thursday,
May 14, The winde was North-East and then we prepared to weigh Anchor and hoile [i.e. hoist] up Sayle, and in the meanetime the Lieutenant of the King's man of war, called the "Princess," came to search for a man that had made his escape, but he were not with us. This were about noon. About four [of] the clocke we came over against Dover. There went a great flight, consisting of about [5]0 saile, as is supposed. But we were interested, what by the King's officer and the sayler's business [so t]hat we were put off from our morning duty [of] prayer. The winde was very calme so that we [did] but drill along very slily and sloly. The day was [v]ery comfortable. I sent a letter to my brother [R]ichard. About 11 a Clock at night we came over in sight of Farelee, and about six in the morning, May 15, on Friday, we came over against the [Be]ache, and had a fair easterly winde and a comfor[ta]ble morning. About one of [the] clock in the afternoon we came in sight of the Ile of White [i.e. Wight]. About four, Captain South, his ship bound for Barbadoes, overtooke us, we lowering our sails for him, and he received Letters tied in the [blank] Cord, and sent a pot of about two pounds of butter to our ship in the same [word crossed out] Cord, and told us that the man tha[t] had made his escape from the "Princess" was caught again in his ship by them. About eig[ht] of [the] clock we came over against the Ile of W[ight]. We sailed amain, having a fair winde, and cle[ar w]eather. On Saturday,
May 16, The winde was down and would not fill our sails in the morning, and the morning was cleare; bu[t] about noon that winde as were was South-we[st, the] sun hid with white clouds, and so it was till ni[ght]. [A]bout four a clock the wind was just agains[t] us, so that we did lower sails, and make a stand, but between five and six, I being on the quarter [d]eck, looking to see land, saw two birds call W[ills] [i.e. sea-gulls] swimming along the sea and the winde that were was Northward and so served for us again; and then [it] rose till we went on with it, being a side win[d] a good pace. Lord's Day,
May 17, We were constrained to drive on by angling in and out. About twelve of [the] clock I saw a fish rise out of the water with a back and should[ers] like a Hog, and a thing went from between his shoulders like a thick oxe horn, and they ca[ll it a] Grampus. On Munday,
May 18, We was constrained to drive on our voyage by angles also, but towards night [the] west threatened us with storms insomuch [that] we went aside to Plymouth. But being beni[gh]ted, we cast anchor in Plymouth Sound about [a] mile off of Plymouth Bay, just before St. F[ran]ces' Island. On Tuesday,
May 19, We continued on the Sound til toward night, and then we weighed anchor, and went to Catwater because the winde continued wes[ter]lie, and we judging that a safer harbour to lie in. But on Wednesday,
May 20, in the morning the Winde being Easterly, [we] weighed anchor againe to set forward on o[ur v]oyage about ten a clock. About three in the after[n]oon we came over against Deadman's Hea[d] [now Dodman's point]; [ab]out 4 we came against Weymouth;9 about [fi]ve we came over against the Lizard, and the clou[ds driz]zled small rain. When we went from [Pl]ymouth we was forced to tarry on the Sound [for so]me of our company who were gone ashore, and [t]here we fired twice before they came. On
[M]ay 21, Thirsday morning, it rained, but the wind [w]as right with [us]; then we came into the sea [be]yond the Land's end; about 3 a clocke it cease[d] [r]aining, but was thick still. At evening the skie [t]hreatened us with stormes. We sailed about 6 [l]eagues a watch In the night we spied a ship [whi]ch we knew not, and somewhat mistrusted it, [bu]t it proved a Merchant. On Friday,
May 22, winde North-East, the morning cloudy and [da]rke, yet sometimes the sun did show himselfe. [Y]et after[ward] it rained, but before night it was some[wh]at comfortable weather. I vometed up both my [b]reakfast, dinner, and supper. We saw two ships at [n]ight on the lure [i.e. leeward] of ours. Saturday,
May 23, winde north, weather comfortable, we [st]eared South-west by west. About ten of [the] clock [we] received a cask of Rum from Captain Hunt's ship, who were our consort to New England. At night [th]e winde was down, and there rose a thick cloud [which colo]red the skie towards sunsetting. Lord's day,
May 24, the winde in the morning was very low, yet a rig[ht no]rth-East winde; afterwards it was higher but more Northerly. I then being put to exercise spake [f]rom John 3.3. In the morning watch we sailed 2 lea[gues and] 2 miles in a watch; at night 5 knots a glasse.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Worlding America by Oliver Scheiding, Martin Seidl. Copyright © 2015 Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. Excerpted by permission of STANFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.
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