The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-03-21
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

had carried on brisk trade with the
sailors, who were willing to barter a
share OF their bread and meat for
furs and sassaffas roots, the latter
commodity that fetched n fabulous
price In England, the belief being
that II had rare virtue in physic for
the cure OF many diseases.
But now that the ships were gone,
there was nothing but the common
kettle into which went every mans
allowance, q half pint Of wheat and
as much barley--this, boiled In river
water. was our daily mess. At first
We had helped out this ration with
fish. oysters, and what game we
could kill or could induce the Indians
to bring US; but presently these sup.
plies failed. the Indians no longer
came to the fort, our store of cured
sturgeon was consumed, and the
other fish which earlier in the sea.
son had come In abundance into our
river now disappeared.
One hot noon time, perhaps q fort
night after Newp0rt's sailing. as !
waited near the cooks fire for my
mess, Smith, coming up, said:
IF we were but as free from all
other sins as we are from guttony,
Farraday. We might be oanonized for
saints"
His face had q haggard look, such
look as comes from incessant toll
and scanty food. His eyes were sunk
deep in his head, but there was no
dimming of the indomitable light that
lived In their clear depths.
"Why do you stare at me. man 2"
he asked.
II was wondering II had the same
look" said.
1--WE are all having 1t. only do you
notice, Farraday, our worthy presi-
dent and some few of his friends are
holding their own to admiration-eh,
that will bear looking intof"
"He has some small remains OF
conscience left" / said.
How so?'
"Why, he never NEEDLES with the
contents Of the common kettle"
made answer.
"No man in his senses would, I'M
less forced to do it or starve." He
stretched forth his arms In q sudden
weary gesture. what would ! not
give for a cold drink. l am never
free OF the taste of the tepid river
water: and our wounded-but what
good to speak of it?'
"Or the weevil in our wheat"
said.
"True, what use to complain? Way.
faring men must expect TO so hungry
In the strange places aof the world
whittier their unrest takes them"
said he.
Nnl. a I n<~N Il
full Of the mess which we called por.
ridge, and some other things not de.
cent to set down I'm writing, then he
seated himself at my side on the log
which was at once my chair and
table; as I added salt to the contents
Of my bowl he steadied 1t with his
hand, and my fingers touched his. |
found his skin was dry and hot be-
yond what was natural.
cts the heat" he said, under.
standing the look l gave him.
PRAY God 1t Is nothing worse"
cried.
But here there Joined US Thomas
Walton. our surgeon; he glanced
from one to the other of us.
Not eating, Captain SMITH" said
he.
NAY, the victual has been fried in
the ships hold till it has lost all
TASTE" rejoined Smith.
"Tut, man, what is this hear?
Has the stoutest stomach In all
James Town revolted at last? Give
me your hand, for | would feel your
pulse. thought so--a touch OF
fever. Have not told you, Captain
Smith, to keep clear OF the hot sun
by day and the dew by night? Now
to your cabin. and there you stay
until I give you leave to quit IT,"
Somewhat to my surprise, John
Smith rose slowly from the log,
making no protest.
"But who will see that the pal
isades are driven, and that they fin
ish mounting the ordnance?'
what will that matter to you in
the next world?' demanded the
surgeon.
"Why, little enough, truly" said
Smith, and he followed the surgeon
of toward his quarters.
think he was one OF the very first
stricken down; and small wonder, for
his toll for the common good had
been unceasing.
This was hut the beginning OF such
misery and sickness that can scarce
bring myself to write OF Il after the
Lapse Of these years even. John
Smith had scarce taken TO his bed
when he fell into raging fever, and
speedily become SO weak that he
could neither go nor stand. Within
the space OF day or two the same
dread malady struck down Thomas
Studly--our treasurer. Captain Cos
mold. and Anthony his brother. The
first to die, however, was John Asbie,
at the beginning of August, and In
the very hot weather. He was one
OF those the savages had spoilt with
arrows, and while he was still weak
from his wounds the fever came and
made an end Of him.
By now the long hot days of sum-
mer were full upon US. Such days
as they were withour heavy work OF
driving the palisades about the fort,
nursing the sick. and caring for our
growing crops. Those who were able,
toiled from early until late. with that
merciless sun beating down upon
thatn--R ut-we-w efft-fewer to our
work each morning. until at last
there were scarcely ten wholly well
men left In James Town.
By Gods assistance preserved my
health. Though my body shrunk un-
III II no longer filled doublct or
breaches. In good truth learned
what hunger is. I, who as I remem-
bered TO my shame. was not above
complaining OF our Meg II there were
fewer than three kinds of meat for
dinner.
IL, tba fort what had hoen fhe