While Mr. Bradford wasn’t quite as old as her father had been, she still looked up to him as a father figure and one of the elders for their church. “I understand that, Mary Elizabeth. I do. And I wish I could take away the heartache you’ve had to endure. That everyone has had to endure on this voyage. I don’t think any of us imagined it to be this way.” He sighed and shook his head. “In the book of First Peter, we are reminded to ‘rejoice, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness,’ and indeed the times have been heavy with trials and loss. I keep asking the Lord for wisdom in how to rejoice through this, and even though I don’t know the answer fully, I am encouraged to keep living one moment at a time. To keep serving Him. That’s what this whole journey was about, my dear. To free ourselves from other restraints and be able to worship Him wholly. If we lose sight of that and dwell on our grief, we will tarnish the memories of those who’ve given up their lives on this venture.”
The words sank deep into her mind and heart. “Thank you, Mr. Bradford. I haven’t had enough rest, I know that, and I’ve allowed the sadness to drag me down. Had David not told me his heart earlier—his fear of losing me too—I might have gone further into the depths of despair. And I know that’s not of the Lord.”
“No, my child, it’s not. Neither is fear. And I know many are fearful of the future right now. We must do our best to encourage them.” He stood up and patted her shoulder. “How is Mr. Lytton doing? I thought you fancied him.”
Mary Elizabeth felt yet another blush rise to her face. “I do. He’s a good man.”
“Aye. He is.”
“But I’m afraid I haven’t had much time with him, either, of late.”
“Maybe you can change that.”
She smiled. “Yes, maybe I can.”
As she watched the man walk away, she resolved to do just that.
She stood up and went to their quarters. The lid of the trunk opened with ease, and she pulled out Father’s Bible. It was hers now. And she would treasure it.
Making her way to the main deck, Mary Elizabeth hummed one of the psalms they sang from the psalter. If she wanted to lift the fog, she’d have to fight it. That meant getting enough rest to have the strength to fight it too. Something she’d neglected for far too long. It took David’s scolding to help her to see it.
On deck, she positioned herself at the bulwark where she could see the boats on the shore. “Lord, I commit to You my heart and mind. Please help me to release this darkness that I’ve allowed to take me captive. David needs me, and I haven’t been much of an encouragement and light to him lately. Please guide the men ashore as they seek to do Your will and find a suitable settlement for us all. I ask all these things in the holy name of Jesus, amen.”
Her prayer left on the wind, and she closed her eyes and let the winter sun shine on her face. Letting go was hard to do. Losing people you loved, even harder. But she needed to keep her focus on the source of true joy—the Lord.
What could she praise Him for today?
Opening her eyes, she looked at the shore. William was her biggest source of praise. He gave her a hope for a future that she’d dreamed of since she was a little girl—to be married and have a family. Then there was David. Her precious brother. There was still so much growing for him to do, and she needed to help guide him in the right path.
This new land was another thing worthy of praise. And the fact that the long sea journey was over. Then there were new friends.
As she counted up the things to praise God for, she felt the heaviness begin to lift. She went over to a crate and sat down. Opening up the Bible, she went to the very first Psalm and began to read:
‘Blessed is the man that doeth not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful: but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, & in his Law doeth he meditate day and night.’
‘For he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that will bring forth her fruit in due season: whose leaf shall not fade: so whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.’
She wanted to find her delight in the law of the Lord again. Not wander around in this blackness. The people needed her, David needed her…and William did too. Closing her eyes again, the weariness from lack of sleep hit her. She’d neglected her own health to care for the others.
Maybe the best idea she had right now was to get some rest, and then she could look forward to seeing William tonight.
The day of exploring had gone well, and William was exhausted. His bed sounded exceedingly welcoming, but more than anything, he wished he could see Mary Elizabeth. To look into her eyes and see her smile.
That hadn’t occurred much of late. And he knew he shouldn’t expect it, but he could still hope.
When they reached the deck of the Mayflower, Master Jones was waiting for them. “Any news?”
William nodded. “It appears we are close to making a decision.”
“Good, good.” The man’s stern expression with his hands clasped behind his back seemed to be his normal posture.
“William!” That was Mary Elizabeth’s voice, and it lifted his spirits, just hearing it.
He turned toward the sound. “Mary Elizabeth.”
She came to him with a smile and took his hands in hers. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“It’s good to see you as well.” Better than he even imagined. Especially with her bright smile. “To what do I owe this wonderful pleasure?”
Ducking her head, she squeezed his hands. “I didn’t realize how much I had…neglected you.”
With the crook of his finger, he lifted her chin. Something he’d had to do often. “Look at me, Mary Elizabeth. There’s no reason for you to feel guilt or shame—or hide your face from me. Do you remember what I told you?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Aye.” The smile grew.
“I meant it, Mary Elizabeth. I love you. I want to know everything about you. I want to spend every moment the Good Lord gives me with you.”
The look on her face did funny things to his heart.
“I know you’ve had your hands full taking care of all the sick—and that makes me love you even more. You have a beautiful, tender heart. But I have missed you a great deal.”
“And I you.” Her brown eyes shimmered. “There’s something else. I’m very sorry for my distance. I didn’t realize how much hurt I had caused until David spoke with me this morning.”
“It’s understandable, my love. I had resolved to give you time in your grief.”
“I didn’t do it intentionally. I guess I just didn’t realize how weary I had become.”
He ran a finger down her cheek. “But you look quite rested and happy now. It’s good to see color in your cheeks again.”
She lowered her eyes to his chest and smiled. “I slept a good part of the morning after I spent some time in prayer and in the scriptures. The happiness you see is because of you, William.”
He put her hand to his chest. “You make my heart overflow, Miss Chapman.”
“You do the same for mine.” She smiled, and then her brow furrowed. “Mr. Bradford spoke to me after David did, and I was very convicted by his words. It’s amazing to me that he’s resting in God’s will and yet just suffered so much. He mentioned Job this morning, and I think I might like to study that book.”
“His faith astounds me every day.”
“Aye. And his wife has only been gone a few days. It breaks my heart for him.” She looked toward the water.
“Maybe we could study Job together?”
“I’d like that.” The light was back in her eyes. “We could ask Mr. Bradford for help if there’s something we don’t understand.”
William dared to step closer and lifted their joined hands to his chest. “Bradford has been my mentor and adviser at your father’s suggestion. I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Was this the right time? He had no experience in this area, but he forged on ahead. “I know I don’t have much to
offer you, Mary Elizabeth, and there’s no place or time to court you properly. But the elders have approved my request anyway.” He took a deep breath. “What I’m trying to say is that…I’d like to ask you to be my wife.”
She took a slight step back and smiled. “Aye. William Lytton, I’d be honored to be your wife.”
“Hoo, hoo!” William threw his hat in the air.
Everyone on deck turned toward them and stared.
“She said yes!”
CHAPTER 26
Thursday, 28 December 1620
William climbed the hill where they planned to build a platform for the cannon. It would serve well as a lookout and help protect their settlement. His job was to get the structure started with John Alden’s help while the others worked on the common house.
They’d hit one problem after another. First, the decision couldn’t be made about where to settle. Several of the men said the island on which they’d almost shipwrecked would be a good place because it would keep them safe from the Indians. But even the pilot John Clarke—who’d had the island named after him since he’d been the first to step on it—argued that being on the mainland would be more beneficial in the long run. So a vote had been cast, and they’d settled upon what Captain John Smith had dubbed on his map, “Plimouth.” And they decided to spell it Plimouth.
The last port they’d left in England was Plymouth, so it seemed providential.
Then the weather had turned stormy and they’d lost three more lives—one a stillborn baby. By Sunday, December 24, many members had lost hope of having anything accomplished by January.
William had shared his hopes and dreams for a house with Mary Elizabeth but had to wait on the rest of the men to decide how they would approach the planning of their town. If he’d ever prayed for patience, he knew now not to do it again. Learning how to be patient was proving to be his greatest enemy.
But on Christmas Day, they’d finally erected the first frame of their buildings. It was to be the common house and would measure twenty feet square.
Today they were supposed to plan out their town and get this platform built.
As he stood at the top of the hill, William looked out on the area around him. A good deal of land had been cleared by presumably some native people. And at one point, corn had been planted. The remains still stood in the fields. But when they’d scouted, they’d only found abandoned hut-like structures. William hated to say it out loud, but it did appear that something catastrophic had happened to whoever had lived there.
A beautiful brook ran by the hillside and provided them with plenty of fresh water. They had affectionately named it Town Brook. And at the mouth of the brook was a great place to harbor the shallop and other small boats.
From the top of the hill where he stood, he could see the tip of Cape Cod—where they’d first anchored—across the bay. As he turned, he saw plenty of trees in the distance to provide wood for them.
They had chosen well. This land should provide for them for years to come.
William pulled out his satchel of tools and set to work. Hopefully he’d hear soon about the plan for the town and he’d be able to work on that as well.
Anxious to get started and get the people situated on the land, William worked fast with his hatchet.
After he’d trimmed about ten logs, he heard rustling in the grass.
“Hello!” John Alden called from the side of the hill.
“Good day to you, John!” William took the opportunity to catch his breath and drink some water he’d brought up from the stream.
“And to you.” John crested the hill and walked up to him. “Looks like you’ve made a lot of progress.”
“Aye. When you have good motivation, it tends to keep you going.”
“That is true.” His friend patted him on the back. “Where would you like me to start?”
William pointed to the pile of trees he’d felled. “The rest of those need to be trimmed and sized.”
John took his hatchet and went to work. “I have some good news.”
William nodded and kept working.
“They’ve laid out where the houses will be built.”
“Aye. That is indeed good news.” He split another log.
“There will be a street down the middle with nineteen plots—one for each family unit—on either side. Fifty feet will be their depth and eight feet per person will be the width determining each for their house and garden.” The repetitive thunk of John’s hatchet accentuated his words. “Once we get the common house completed, each family will be responsible for building their own house.”
It sounded great to William. At least it was a good start.
They worked in silence for a good while, the hard work keeping them warm in the frigid temperatures.
John let out a groan and stretched. “I think I got soft being on the ship for so long.”
“It feels good though, doesn’t it? To get back to work?”
“Aye. It does.” John moved around a bit more. “Although tomorrow, I’m sure my body will protest.”
William chuckled at the thought.
“So …” John raised his eyebrows. “Have you and Mary Elizabeth decided when you will have the wedding?”
“We’ve been discussing it with Elder Brewster. I think we will wait until we have a house built and most of the sickness is past. That way, the whole community can celebrate with us.”
“When do you think that will be?”
“Hopefully by the end of January. That gives us plenty of time to plan and build.”
Monday, 15 January 1620/1
“We’ll be praying for you every day, William.” Mary Elizabeth held David’s hand on the top deck. How she hated goodbyes. He’d only be on the mainland, but she’d hardly seen him as it was. When the weather was decent enough, the men had worked long and hard to fell trees and build the common house.
“Thank you, Mary Elizabeth.” He touched her cheek, his blue eyes almost gray today. “It won’t be long.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I love you.”
Heat filled her face as he pulled back, and she gave him a smile.
With a nod, he walked away and joined the few other men who were to go ashore and live in the common house and work on the fort and the houses.
The original plan had been a good one, but no one had counted on the storms growing worse and the sick growing in number by the day. Some had gotten better and then succumbed again—this time much worse.
They needed men to hunt and fish so they would have food, and then thatch had to be gathered for roofs, timber needed to be chopped and hauled. It wouldn’t be so bad if everyone were well and strong.
A tickle in her throat made Mary Elizabeth pull her cape up to her nose. She didn’t want to cough in this cold, damp air. Last time she did, her lungs felt like they were on fire.
“Mary Elizabeth, I don’t feel so good.” David shivered and tugged on her hand.
“Let’s get you closer to the fire, all right?” Weariness rested on her shoulders once again. No. She couldn’t allow it to take over again. She would delight in the Lord. He would be her strength. They’d made it this far; He would see them through. She sat David down on a crate by the fire box. “How’s that?”
“Much better. But my throat hurts, and I can’t breathe through my nose.”
She nodded and crouched down beside him. “Let me see if I can find anything to help you with that.” Taking off her cape, she wrapped it around her brother’s shoulders. “I’ll be back.”
She went down the steps to find Samuel Fuller. He had been taking care of the ones who were the worst that morning.
“Mary Elizabeth, I’m so glad you’re down here.” Mr. Fuller waved her over. “We need some extra hands—is David with you?”
“That’s why I was looking for you, as well. David is complaining of a sore throat and that he can’t breathe through his nose.”
“It sounds like his humours are out of balance.”
/>
“So what should I do?” Mary Elizabeth followed the man to the next bed.
“I believe there is a little dried mint left in my satchel. Boil it in some water and have him breathe it in and then have him drink it. That’s the best I have to offer. Everything else has been depleted.” He squeezed her arm. “When you’re done, could you come assist me?”
“Of course. I’ll be quick.”
Gathering what she needed for David, she sent another prayer heavenward. She hoped it wouldn’t turn into another case of pneumonia for her poor brother. It had started the same way.
Climbing the steps to the main deck, she tripped over her skirt. There wasn’t need for reckless behavior. Now would not be a good time to injure herself. She found David asleep by the fire. “Wake up. We need to get you to bed.”
“I don’t feel good, Mary Elizabeth.” David’s head lolled back as she lifted him up.
“I know. That’s why I’m going to take good care of you. But I need you to walk; you’re too big for me to carry.”
She barely managed to get him down the steps when the tickle came back to her throat. A horrible cough wracked her chest as she led David to bed.
Mr. Fuller appeared at their curtain. “Was that you coughing, Mary Elizabeth?”
She nodded as another coughing spell came over her. “I don’t know what’s come over me.”
The man shook his head. “It looks like it’s not going to be just David going to bed. You are too.”
CHAPTER 27
Thursday, 8 February 1620/1
The snow, sleet, and wind hammered the men in the common house. William stayed close to the fire to watch for embers flying—they didn’t need any more fires to burn thatch roofs—and prayed for divine help. The storms had been so bad the past few days that there was a good amount of damage done to the structures they’d been working on. They were already behind, and now this would set them back even further.
Word had come from the Mayflower that Mary Elizabeth and David had both gotten sick but were finally on the mend. That news was better than most. The little Plimouth colony was already beginning to disappear, and they hadn’t even truly settled. The few that were strong and healthy enough lived on shore and helped build, while the rest were cared for on the ship.
The Mayflower Bride Page 19