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Show Page 237 "Since I arrived I've eaten nothing but peas and loblollie," Richard said, even as he came within hearing. "Of venison I have seen naught since I came into this land. Of fowl I have seen some, but I am not allowed to go out and hunt it-for fear of the savages, 'tis said. But I think it is, in truth, for fear I will miss the time from my labors, which do indeed go on from early till late. And all for a small mess of water-gruel and a mouthful of bread." I heard John sigh softly beside me. "Does the man never cease to complain?" he asked. "It is not as though he has it any worse than the rest of us." Richard was now beside us and continued without even pausing to greet us. "Look at me," he squeaked. "I have no clothes at all. Two ragged shirts only have I, one poor suit, one pair of boots. And now my cloak has been stolen by one of my own fellows, so my shivering frame doubtless shall soon be taken with the contagion caused by Duppa's bad beer." "What contagion might that be?" I asked. Richard paid me no mind. "And I know who took my cloak, yet could I do nothing." "You could take it back," John suggested. "Nay, I cannot. For the evil fellow is dead. And to his dying hour he would not tell me what he had done with it. But another of my fellows saw the wretch have butter and beef |