Harvesting Hope

1621

The fire crackled and spat as a gust of wind blew in and Edward entered the room. Susanna moved the crib away from the flames, she tucked the coverlet around the baby and kissed him gently on the forehead. He looked so like her dear William with his chubby fists and reddened cheeks, a lump came to her throat and she fought back a tear.
Her smile was bright as she turned to greet Edward,

' How do you fare, my dear? Is there news from the Wampanoag?'

Edward moved towards the fire, rubbing his hands together and blowing on them.

'Squanto has sent a messenger to inform them of our harvest.  All will be good, take heart now. Our luck is but improving.'

He leant towards the pot hanging over the fire and dipped in the ladle. He brought it towards his lips, cooling it with a wave of his hand.

' You must surely be working magic here with your herbs and vegetables, I have never tasted such goodness as this.'

Susanna smiled at him. She sat down to finish her sewing, red breeches for her dear Resolved, just three years old and like the baby, also the image of his deceased father.

'You are good to me Edward, our marriage has given me hope. We have both had such misfortune losing our true loves but now we are together and if we have fortune my little ones will play with our own little ones and we shall be strong.'

Edward had taken a bowl and filled it with the rich pottage, he drained it and sat down beside her.

' It is true, our fortune has betrayed us, but now I will take care of you as my true love.'

He touched her lightly on the shoulder.

'I must go now to prepare the guns. '

Susanna stirred the pottage and then called to Resolved to come and sit with her.
She had still to prepare the corn meal, the cabbage and onions and clean the lobster. As she thought of the feast that was being prepared she allowed herself to feel hope. At last there was a sign that a new life was possible.


Preparing food had always been an important part of Susanna's life. All through her childhood in her North Devon home, Susanna's mother had shown her how to  grow leeks and onions and herbs, how to tenderize  meat and  produce sauces and gravies that had men licking their lips and rubbing their bellies in deep satisfaction. Sometimes she would mutter as she was stirring and tasting and to Susanna she seemed to be working magic.
Her father looked after sheep on the cliffs above the sea and sometimes brought home other shepherds or wayfarers from the coastal road. There was always a meal for a stranger in their home.
When Susanna was just eighteen her father had come home with William, a young preacher who was visiting the local church. 
From then on, William was a frequent visitor and one day asked Susanna to accompany him to the small church on the cliffs. While they were in the church William pulled her to him and put her hand on his heart. He then declared his love for her and asked her to marry him and come away with him to the New World. There was no hesitation as she flung her arms around him and drew him close.

Before leaving for Plymouth where The Mayflower was waiting, Susanna walked along the cliffs with her father. He pointed to the rocks that lay like claws, reaching out into the sea. He told her stories of sailors that would rather perish than be captured by villagers, so ruthless and eager to seize cargo that was worth more to them than a man's life. Susanna paled and her hand leapt to her belly, swollen beneath her gown.

'Oh father, you frighten me, why are you relating such stories?'

Susanna's father grimaced, his head hung low and his voice a whisper,

'My dear daughter,  I cannot follow you now, William will take care of you of this I am certain. We do not know what reception you will find for all the talk of the new country, so be prepared. Remember all your mother has taught you, to distinguish berries and plants, to prepare a meal for your strength. and to be kind.'

 He had then given her a pouch with seeds and shoots, the Devon soil clinging to the roots.

'These herbs are hardy and will grow in any soil.  Plant them in the New World. Remember to use them well, to keep your humours balanced as you have been taught by your mother and she by her mother before her.'

There was a loud bang like thunder and Susanna sat up with a start, Resolved looked at her in alarm and the baby Pip stirred in his sleep. There was a knocking at the door and a voice called out.

' Good morrow Mistress Susanna, pray pardon me, it is I,  Mary , to tell you the news.'

Susanna welcomed her neighbour, clutching at Resolved who was hiding behind her skirts.

'They are firing the guns to call the Wampanoag to our feast, and Massasoit the leader is bringing us deer.'

Susanna clapped her hands and called out, laughing and clasping  Mary's hands

'Huzzah, that is indeed cause to rejoice !'