Some Three Hundred Years AgoBrewster, Edith Gilman
History
Some Three Hundred Years Ago
Brewster, Edith Gilman
New Hampshire -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Juvenile literature
"Captain Neal will feel mean enough when he gets here and finds us all
starved to death," she murmured as she jerked her pole only to find her
line had caught and broken. Finally, with the disappointment of no fish,
she was turning toward the house when a white gleam on the water caught
her eye. It was from the sail of the Pide-Cowe, the English vessel just
rounding the bend.
Rebecca dashed home with the news. That afternoon cornmeal, salt, beef,
butter, sweet oil, oatmeal, and candles were landed within the palisade.
There were men's coats, waistcoats, and children's coats, stockings,
blankets, rugs, flannel and cotton cloth, as well as fish hooks and
lines, lead, hammers, pewter dishes, and iron kettles.
Indians, gay in fringes and beads, arrived on the scene with loads of
fur: otter, mink, fox, and beaver for trade. Ragged squaws and shivering
pappooses followed. Captain Neal and his sailors mingled with hearty good
cheer among them, while the white settlers acted as tradesmen, happy in
the relief which this vessel had brought them.
Rebecca was wild with excitement. She knew this meant food for everybody.
Each box and barrel was turned and inspected by Miss Becky. She poked
over the piles of clothing and tried on the children's coats and even the
men's coats, anything in fact that struck her fancy. Some bright beaded
things caught her eye. Pulling at the English shag, she drew from the
bottom of a pile a queer little garment labeled "Pappoose coat." After
searching and tugging, she produced five of different sizes. Then her eye
fell on the group of timid little creatures still clinging to their
mother.
Rebecca knew that at this trading all the furs would go to buy food. Her
wise little head thought, "These coats would make them so comfortable!"
Perched on a salt-cask close to the pile she was soon absorbed in her own
plans, which were quickly completed. Jumping down she excitedly ran to
explain them to her mother, who had been watching the trading from the
doorway of their home. Becky stood on tip-toe, awaiting her mother's
decision. After a moment's thought, it came. The child rushed indoors and
soon returned with her still beautiful beaver-skin.
"Captain Neal," she cried, before she had fairly reached him. "How many
of these pappoose coats will you trade for this beaver?"
"You may have all for such a skin as that," he exclaimed as he stroked
the soft fur.
With the five coats in her own possession, proud little Becky begged her
mother's help. Together they fitted them to the five smallest Indian
children. Trading ceased for a moment, while all eyes turned to the funny
sight of these wild little creatures in English clothing. The settlers
and seamen laughed aloud, while even the stolid faces of the old warriors
looked pleased.
COATS, SHIRTS, AND KETTLES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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