The first colony planted in North America was on Roanoke Island in 1597. The company who planted this colony promised to return the following year with supplies and more people. However England went to war that year and the supply ships were taken by the king to help in the war effort. It was over three years before the ships returned to Roanoke Island. When they arrived not a trace of the colony was found. No one has ever been able to find out what happened to them. This book, although not about the Roanoke Island colony, takes a similar colony near that area and takes them through the trials that people in America faced in that period of time. The story starts with Milford and Doris Kipling, who are linguists, being asked by the king to go with the new colony to teach its leadership the language of the natives. After they have complete this task they were to return with the ships. The Kipling couple took their sixteen year old son, John, with them. After they complete their task John asked to stay for the rest of the year promising to return the next year with the ships. Of course the ships didn't return and John faced the perils and catastrophes that led he and his companion across North America. The trek across America is just a part of John's adventure. The reader will enjoy several other adventures and meet many interesting characters along the way.
The First Crossing of America
By William PostAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 William Post
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4567-4962-0Chapter One
THE FIRST CROSSING OF A MERICA By WILLIAM J. POST
Milford Kipling and his wife Doris were linguists. They had met when they were in Paris studying at the academy in 1581. They both spoke seven languages and were now employed by King James.
King James wanted to establish colonies to claim the new world, develop its vast resources and establish trade. Several of the native people had been brought back to England by various privateers. These natives were uncivilized and from a sub-culture (in the eyes of the English) as they had no written language and had not progressed as the Europeans had. To prevent hostilities between the colonies and the natives King James knew the language barrier between the two must be addressed.
The natives who were brought to England were given preferential treatment by the king to encourage their cooperation with the Kiplings so they could learn the native's language. Milford and Doris had studied with the natives for two years and were able to learn their language. Their only child, John, was at every session with the Indians and was as fluent with the language as his parents. He had been taught languages since he was three and also spoke French, Spanish and Latin.
The natives had informed the Kiplings of the many dialects of the tribes in America. Both Milford and Doris knew that only by being in the new land could they learn theses dialects and related this to the king. There was however a universal sign language that was used to help bridge the language barrier.
Milford told the king that he would inform him when he and his wife felt they had mastered the new language adequately. The king knew that communication with the natives was essential in befriending them so the king asked the Kiplings to accompany an expedition to America. They were to stay in the new land just long enough to teach the leadership of the colony the native dialect of that region then return with the ships. The king and the sponsor of this trek (the London Company) knew that integrating with the natives would be essential for peace and prosperity for the colony.
John Kipling was now age sixteen. He was bright and enthusiastic about learning languages. John had pointed out to his parents that the natives had no word for enemy. The word stranger was the same word as for enemy. This alarmed Milford, but he was proud of his son for being astute enough to have noticed this subtle nuance.
King James had encouraged and subsidized the London Company to establish a colony in the new world. Both king and company had different motives though. The King wanted to expand his empire and the London Company was in it for profit.
The London Company tried to think of every resource the colony would need to be successful. They brought horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens. They brought a variety of seeds and even some fruit trees. An abundance of hardware such as plows, hatchets, hammers, axes, saws, adzes and a variety of other hardware were in their inventory.
The London Company was unable to recruit many regular craftsmen to go into the unknown so they looked for people in the prisons who were very good craftsmen, but had been charged with some crime. Most of those they recruited owed taxes or were in debtor's prison. They picked men who were very good at their trade and looked at the expedition as a fresh start. They selected people were skilled as carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, farmers, fishermen and other trades. These craftsmen were all relatively young and the rule was that all must be married. Young wives were recruited for these craftsmen. Many young prostitutes were targeted by the London Company and given the choice of marrying a craftsman or going to prison. Others were in debt and some were just charged with a crime. Nearly all the couples had only known one another for a few weeks before their departure. There were no children allowed. The only person under the age of eighteen was John Kipling. He was allowed because his parents would be returning with the ships.
John's parents had no idea about the background of the colonists aboard the ship. They had quarters next to the captain and ate with him and Ezra Bronson and his wife. Ezra Bronson, the leader of the colonists, was a minister and held a military rank of captain. He had five other military men who were equipped with a variety of firearms, numerous kegs of gunpowder, two canons and an abundance of ammunition.
Although the Kiplings stretched their legs each day they never mixed with the other people and only smiled or waved to them. None of the colonists ever spoke to them. The reason for this was that Captain Bronson had given the word that the Kiplings were of the royal court and no one was to make conversation with them.
There were a couple of instances that occurred on the trip. One man was caught trying to steal rum and was flogged. There were several fights and one man was killed. The man who did the killing proved it was in self defense so he was not punished. Bronson was intolerant of people who violated the rules and this was quickly learned, so the voyage was made mostly in tranquility.
John had an inkling of the class of people aboard as he could hear them talk. They talked as fishwives and the lower class. He only met one man who seemed to be very nice. His name was Charles Bradford.
Charles was a very tall man, muscular and with broad shoulders. He had blond hair, blue eyes and a happy disposition. The way John met him was by accident. One of the wives of the men was making fun of John as he was always dressed properly in fine clothes. The husband of the wife joined in the berating. Charles heard what was going on and quickly came to John's aid. He told the pair to go below in such a tone they quickly left.
John said, "Thank you, Sir. You are a credit to the colony. If I can ever be of services to you please call upon me."
Charles said, "There will be no need of that Master Kipling, I abhor people who ridicule others because they are different."
John was quite taken with the manners of Charles and asked him his name. Charles told him and added that he was the smithy for the colony. John asked him to tell him about his trade and Charles spent some time telling him about what he did. Both liked each other and began spending time together although clandestinely. They met behind the longboats as Charles told John of Captain Bronson's rule of not talking to the Kiplings. Charles was fascinated to know someone from the royal court and asked John about it.
John told him they were just people who were either kin to the king or had favor with him in one manner or another and were paid handsomely. They were all educated as King James decreed this.
John said, "My parents are linguist and have been brought on the voyage to meet the natives and communicate with them. We will be leaving when the ships go back."
"When will the ships go back?" asked Charles.
"When my father and mother have taught Captain Bronson and his leadership the native's language," answered John. "This could take three or four months depending on the leadership's ability to learn."
Charles could tell John was educated in many areas and asked him a lot of questions. One afternoon John's wife, Ellie, joined them. Charles explained they were only married three weeks ago. John could tell they were both much in love. Charles told of the tragic fire that took both of Ellie's parents and left her homeless.
Ellie, like John, had blond hair and blue eyes and John found her very attractive. John asked why Charles had chosen to go with the colony.
Charles said, "My father owned a large smithy in London. He employed many men and we lived quite well. He taught me the trade and I took to it easily. However, the king's tax assessor came to my father one day and told him he had inherited a large tract of land from his uncle who had recently passed away. My father was elated until he found out that he owed a king's ransom in back taxes. He had no way to pay the debt as he had just expanded his business. He was about to lose his business when the tax assessor gave him a way out. He told my father if he were to go to the new world with the colony that was being formed, he would be exonerated from the crime and his debt would be forgiven, but of course he would have to give up the land. I volunteered to go in my father's place so here I am."
"That seems like blackmail," exclaimed John. "I shall look into this injustice when I return."
"Don't trouble yourself, Master Kipling, Ellie and I are excited about starting a new life in a new land. London was about to suffocate me and Ellie feels the same."
"Regardless, you are my friend and I will look into it whether you ever return or not. If your father has been cheated I will find out."
"You are a true friend, Master Kipling."
"Charles, please don't call me Master Kipling, I am a boy of sixteen and you have already accomplished much more than I have. I am in your debt because I had no friends and now I have you and your beautiful wife, Ellie."
Both Charles and Ellie were fascinated with John. He had impeccable manners and his speech showed royal breeding.
One hundred and twenty of the colonists sailed out of London's harbor the first of March, 1606 in three ships. The voyage took three weeks and on the twenty-first of March they were sailing up the James River.
Not far from the entrance of the river Bronson found a large island. Its location was exactly what Bronson was looking for. The island was mostly flat and had many pine trees covering an area of three square miles. Bronson knew the island was far enough up the James River to have fresh water and it was very defendable. The shortest distance to the mainland was to the south of the island which was over five hundred feet. The island had a cove in which to anchor and a pier was quickly constructed so their equipment and livestock could be unloaded easily.
Captain Bronson was elated to find the island as he would not have to build a fort as he had anticipated. He felt the island could be defended easily and they started clearing the trees for their crops immediately.
The people were very enthusiastic as they started their chores. All men were first put to hewing trees to construct three large buildings and clear the land for crops. The women were given the task of cleaning the trees once hewed with hatchets. One of the buildings was for storage and the other two were for living. Eventually they would build individual houses for each family, but first the fields were to be cleared and crops planted before the end of April to insure a harvest.
One of the ships was sent up the James River the second day to locate the native villages in the area. Less than two miles upriver a village was located on the southern shoreline. The military men with Milford Kipling were rowed ashore. The ship stood by with loaded cannons as the delegation proceeded. They were met by an Indian delegation and Milford spoke of peace. They had brought many gifts of beads, blankets bright colored clothe and other bobbles for the Indians. They were received cautiously, but friendly enough.
Kipling was able to communicate to the Indians that their colony was a tribe from across the great waters and came in peace. He explained they would only occupy the island and would render the Indians help in time of need and desired their friendship.
The Chief of the tribe invited them for a meal and three military men and Kipling walked to their village while two stayed with their longboat. The meal consisted of venison, and a variety of vegetables, some of which the men had never tasted before.
At the meal Milford met an unusual man who was introduced as Shanaka, the medicine man. His skin was nearly as white as Milford's and his hair was brown and not black. Milford was intrigued with Shanaka as he appeared to be a white man and wanted to know him better. He appeared to be the brightest of the natives thus making it easier to communicate with him.
Milford asked Shanaka, "Would you come back with us to meet the rest of my people?"
Shanaka replied, "Why don't you come and stay with us as I have much to show you."
Milford could tell that both himself and Shanaka were apprehensive about being alone with no one to guard them so he said, "Will it be alright if I bring my family?" Milford thought there would be much less danger for a family rather than a military escort who looked menacing in their uniforms with weapons.
Shanaka smiled and said, "We would be honored to meet your family."
The next day was set for the visit and Milford returned to tell Doris and John. John was enthusiastic, but Doris was fearful. However, Milford convinced her that it was safe.
They rowed themselves ashore from their island in a small dory as Milford wanted to walk to the village. He wanted to see the vegetation up close and make notes in his journal. Doris liked this too as her father was the royal botanist and had passed much of his knowledge on to Doris. Their walk took less than an hour and they were greeted warmly by Shanaka.
He took them outside the village on a trail through tall pine trees. Their trip took them about a quarter of a mile from the village to a small box canyon where Shanaka's wigwam stood. At the head of the box canyon was a jagged peak which was a hundred feet above the surrounding area.
When they arrived Shanaka introduced his wife, Roanatanika and his daughter Cherlanalika. Their names were difficult to learn so Milford wrote them down phonetically in his journal so they could all practice them until they said them right.
They were all surprised at Cherlanalika for she had fair skin like them with large brown eyes and auburn hair. To John she looked like some of the more beautiful women of the English court except for her buckskin dress.
Milford asked, "Why don't you live in the village, Shanka?"
Shanaka answered, "I need to be far enough away so I can think better. If I were in the village I would be pestered constantly about trivial matters."
"How did you learn our language so easily?" Shanaka asked.
Milford said, "Some of the people of your land were brought to England and we studied your language with them. It is not exactly like your language, but enough so that your dialect is easy to learn."
Shanaka wanted to know where England was, so Milford tore a page out of his journal and drew a map showing the coast of America and then the Island of England. He drew in the James River and the island that the colony now occupied. Shanaka was able to understand the map and was in awe of the distance they had sailed.
During the conversation between Shanaka and Milford both John and Cherlanalika looked at each other constantly as both were fascinated with the other.
Shanaka asked Milford to stay with his family for awhile so they could exchange knowledge. They both knew this would take more than a day. Milford agreed and sent John back to the island to tell Captain Bronson they would be staying overnight and maybe two nights with the Indians. John was also to bring their bedrolls, clothes and personal items.
Cherlanalika wanted to go with John which pleased him. On the way John asked her if he could call her Cheryl as it was much easier for him to say.
With a beautiful smile she looked at John and said, "I would like that," then repeated "Cheryl" several times. She then asked, "What does Cheryl mean?"
As John knew all names of the Indians had meanings he said, "It means beautiful girl or beautiful woman." This brought a large smile to Cheryl's face.
John and Cheryl rowed the boat to the island and John picked up the items for their stay at Shanaka's wigwam. While he was there he went by Charles' smithy and introduced Cheryl. Ellie was there and Cheryl was surprised by their blond hair and blue eyes. Leaving Cheryl at the dory John went to report to Ezra Bronson about their stay with the Indians. He explained that it would take sometime for them to learn the dialect of the Indians and to inform the Indians about the colony.
While they were gone Roanatanika took Doris to a place a small distance from the rear of her wigwam where she had a secret garden at the end of the box canyon. She showed her many medicinal plants that she used to heal her people.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The First Crossing of Americaby William Post Copyright © 2011 by William Post. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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