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Show Page 132 January, 1621 The newcomers bring few provisions. Long voyages and greedy captains force them to eat the meager foodstuffs the adventurers in London send to feed the settlers in Virginia. We watch with rumbling innards as broad-hoes, axes, shovels, gimlets, frowes, glass beads, muskets, swords, lead and powder are carried off the shallop. We wish instead for oatmeal, wheat, butter, cheese, even pap. The foodstuffs we put by are not enough to feed our swelling numbers and our larders grow empty. The men go out with their muskets to hunt but have little success. Rawhunt and Opitaquod have come a time or two bearing hare or squirrel , but these scarce seem to fill the gaping hole that is our bellies. Glad I am I did not let out the seams of my gowns, for they now hang upon my bones for want of food. Poor Anne. Her face is drawn and pinched and she worries about the babe growing within her. ******************** "There 'ee goes!" shouted Will, and a club smashed down upon the rat ere it could escape the circle of people. Will picked up the rat and tossed it onto the pile with the rest. |
