Hobomok/Chapter XIII
Strong was the love to heaven, which bare
From their dear homes and altars far,
The old, the young, the wise, the brave,
The rich, the noble, and the fair,
And led them o'er the mighty wave,
Uncertain peril's front to dare.
Yamoyden
Notwithstanding the occasional excitements which we have mentioned, the winter passed wearily away; and to Mary, the moral as well as the natural atmosphere, was chill and heavy. The earth, in this cold, northern climate, wore one uniform robe of state--- her spotless ermine, studded with jewels. Even in this dress, she displayed much to excite a poetic imagination and a devotional heart; but the souls of men were not open to the influence of nature. Little thought they, amid the fierce contests of opinion, of the latent treasures of mind or the rich sympathies of taste. Still, their stern piety was lofty and genuine, though deeply colored with the ignorance and superstition of the times. A sound, doctrinal exposition of Romans brought more religious warmth into their hearts, than the nightly exhibition of the numerous hosts shining in the broad belt of the heavens, those mighty apostles, which God has sent forth to proclaim throughout creation, his majesty and power. Mary grew more and more weary of the loneliness of unreciprocated intellect; and when she thought of Brown, it seemed as if winter would never depart. But though the wings of time appeared clogged, and folded about him in heaviness, he wheeled the same course through the sky; and Spring was soon seen peeping from the sunny gates of heaven, and strewing her wild-flower wreath along the woods.
Intelligence had reached New England that a large company of godly brethren were coming out early in the season, among whom was Mrs. Johnson, the favorite sister of the Earl of Lincoln. Mary had known the lady Arabella in Lincolnshire, and she now kept an almost constant watch upon the seashore, in the eager anticipation of meeting with her friend. Perhaps even that friend was frequently forgotten in the thoughts of one still dearer; for she had heard nothing from Brown since his departure, and her heart grew sick with "hope deferred."
It was late in May, when, as she was walking by the seashore, gazing on the bright scene, to her so painfully associated, she espied two vessels under full sail, and her spirits danced with the certainty of intelligence from her lover, if not his actual presence. The news was hastily communicated, and all felt disappointed when they were discovered to be under foreign colors. The suspicion at once arose that they were Dunkirkers, and, of course, enemies to the English. The alarm was given, and every man seized his loaded gun, and prepared to give them a hostile reception. Luckily, however, the precaution was found unnecessary. The ships rode quietly into port, and proved to be merchantmen from the Netherlands, bringing a large supply of provisions and utensils of various kinds, to exchange for beaver skins. Another fortnight passed slowly away, and it was rumored that one of the Arabella company had safely arrived at Shawmut; but still there came no intelligence to hush the tumult of Mary's hopes and fears. At length, on the 12th of June 1630, the settlers had scarcely swung their axes over their shoulders, or fastened the plough to their oxen, at early sunrise, before the tall mast of the Arabella was seen careering above the waves, bending her prow, and "walking the waters like a thing of life." And as she came within hearing, the cheerful note of the trumpet, proclaiming, "Capt. Millburn of the Arabella---sixty-five days from Yarmouth, Isaac Johnson, Esq. and the Lady Arabella on board," was answered by three loud and hearty shouts of welcome. A tall, dignified looking lady descended from the vessel, and scarcely had the exclamations, "My dear Mary," and "My dear Lady Arabella," escaped their lips, ere they were fast locked in each other's arms.
"Come," said Mary, "I know you will be glad to enter any dwelling, after this voyage; and my dear mother will be impatient to be introduced to you."
"Then she is yet spared?" asked Mrs. Johnson.
"Yes," replied Mary; "but she is sinking away, like a decaying lamp."
"This is my mother," continued she, as she entered and placed Lady Arabella's hand within Mrs. Conant's.
"I am glad to welcome you to New England, Lady Arabella," said the mother; "though perhaps we have both been used to better apartments," added she, as her eye glanced round the humble room, with a look of pride, which ill assorted with her broken fortunes.
"No doubt, no doubt, Lady Mary," answered her guest; "but there are strong hands and firm hearts, as well as noble blood, engaged in this cause. I have heard my husband say that our own mighty kingdom was once a remote province of the Roman empire,--- and who knows whereunto these small beginnings may arrive?"
"It's little that I have to do with the thoughts of kings, empires, and nobles in these days," replied Mrs. Conant; "but I would fain ask whether the old man, my father, is yet alive?"
"The Earl of Rivers is alive and well," said the Lady Arabella. "When my chest arrives I can give you some further news."
"Well, Madam Conant," said Mr. Johnson, whom Mr. Conant introduced a few moments after, "I have taken the liberty of bringing my lady hither; inas-much as there are no conveniences for us at Shawmut, whither we propose shortly to depart. Lady Arabella chose the rather to abide with you, on account of her sometime acquaintance with your daughter."
"Right glad we are to have a hand in helping forward the work of the Lord," replied Mr. Conant.
"Such as we have, we gladly give unto you," interrupted his wife; "but you see our velvet cushions are wooden benches, and our tapestry the rough bark of the forest tree. However, `it is better to be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.' "
"And is Mary cheerful under all these privations?" inquired Mr. Johnson. "Two or three years' residence so far from the busy world hath made her matronly before her time. Bless me, Lady Arabella, what would the Earl of Lincoln say to see his young favorite now?"
"How I wish I could see him," said Mary. "Is he married?"
"No," answered Mrs. Johnson; "but he is shortly to be united to the virtuous daughter of Lord Say; and a great blessing she will prove to our family, no doubt. It is said that Lord Say and Lord Brook are thinking of a settlement in New England."
"Yes," said her husband, "many godly men are turning their faces hitherward; and many of the wealthy and noble of our land are devoting their riches to the building up of Zion."
"And no doubt they'll be prospered," rejoined Mr. Conant. " `Media movent bonitate finis.' Well may they come out of England, when Episcopacy hath become such a religious jewel in the state that the king will sell all his coronets, caps of honor, and blue garters, for six and twenty cloth caps. And who cannot see the tempter which hath led him astray? I am bold to say, Mr. Johnson, that though the king sitteth highest on the bench, his papistical queen sitteth in a chair above; and though he is placed in the saddle, she hath her hand upon the bridle."
"Yes," replied his guest, "it is a great pity that `no bishop, no king' hath become such an oraculous truth with him, that he is willing to pawn his crown and life thereupon. His oppression gallops so hard, that it outstrips the patience of his subjects; but it is well for princes to remember that preces et lachrymoe are not the only weapons of the people. Have you heard that bishop Laud is made Chancellor of Oxford?"
"Assuredly I have not," answered Mr. Conant; "and well pleased should I be, never to have heard thereof; but it is plain enough to see that there is nothing to which he and my Lord Treasurer Weston may not aspire in the kingdom. What is to become of poor old England, when the despotic Lewis and the subtle Richelieu have so powerful an emissary in the very bosom of king Charles?"
"It's a dolorous truth indeed," replied Mr. Johnson. "But as I was saying, the Bishop of London came to the vacancy last April; and even before I departed, he straightway instituted copes, railings, and crucifixes within the university. St. Katherine's church, which was repaired as late as bishop Mountain's time, must likewise be closed, until his successor seeth fit to revive the ceremony of consecration therein; which he did, with many popish ceremonies; such as bowing and kneeling before the altar, wearing of hood and surplice, and so on; but the worst of the whole blasphemy you have yet to hear. As Laud approached the doors of the church, his attendants opened them wide, crying with a loud voice, `Open, ye everlasting gates, that the King of Glory may come in.' "
"No doubt this was like sugar in the mouth of the queen," rejoined Mr. Conant. "If the church of England, as it is in these days, be not the whorish woman of Babylon, I declare it requireth more than ordinary spirit of discerning to distinguish between them. Peradventure it may be the second beast, seen by St. John, who `exerciseth all the power of the one before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.' "
"There is much reason to fear that `God will soon put in his sickle and gather the vine of the earth, to cast into the great wine-press of his wrath,' " observed Mr. Johnson. "I am glad that I have come out from among them; and I have no doubt we shall go on to complete the good work, though there are enemies on every side---yea, though Morton, and divers others, daily increase in zeal against us."
"Charles Brown found there was a Phinehas among us, to stand up and stay the plague," said Mr. Conant; "and no doubt he hath wielded his sword in the ranks of our adversaries?"
"I understand the testimony of Mr. Brown hath always been honorable to the colonies," answered Mr. Johnson; "and as for the mischief intended by others, he who discovered the plottings of the Assyrian king, even in his bed chamber, will no doubt turn it aside."
Mary's face flushed with conscious triumph, at this mention of her lover's honorable conduct; and even her father was surprised into something like respect. However, that unyielding pride, which was at once the source of his greatest virtues and his greatest faults, prevented his making any reply.
"Well," said Mr. Johnson, after a moment's pause, "how do you succeed, outwardly and spiritually, in this heritage?"
"We speed as we can, as men must, who are no better shod," rejoined Mr. Conant. "As for worldly wisdom, we have been obliged to pay pretty roundly to dame experience for filling our heads with a little of her active after-wit; and as for the church, sects are springing up among us, like vipers in the sun. Many an honest mind hath been led away by sore temptations, and embittered by constant disputations."
"Weak wine becometh sour by fermentation, and strong wine is made better," replied Mr. Johnson. "I marvel if the Lord often suffereth the devices of Satan to lead away those who are firm in the faith;--- I believe they are strengthened thereby. After all, most of the carping and controversy in the world is about matters of small moment, which tend much to the neglecting of the soul's salvation. 'Tis like unto a man's diving into a well to see the stars in broad sunlight."
"And what hath he for his pains, but to be blinded when he cometh from thence?" said Mr. Conant. "The fact is, passengers to heaven are in haste, and will walk one way or the other. If a man doubts of his way, Satan is always ready at hand to help him to a new set of opinions at every stage; and if his infernal Majesty hath too much employment, he can always find helpers in such like men as Mr. Graves and Mr. Blackstone."
"Do you have any trouble with the latter gentleman, now-a-days?" asked Mr. Johnson.
"I know nothing concerning him," answered Mr. Conant, "except that he came hither at the instigation of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and that he made Israel to sin. I'll tell you a very singular story, Mr. Johnson, wherein the Lord shewed his indignation against the pride of prelacy. This Mr. Blackstone, living immured there at Tri-Mountain, hath not much communication with any one on the earth or above it; but those who have been within his dwelling, say that he hath many books, forgetting the excellent advice of Pliny, ` Multum legendum est, non multa .' This man, in the sinful pride of his heart, had the book of common prayer, that dud of the devil, bound up with the Testament of our blessed Lord. Now look at the miraculous manner in which God pointed out his sin unto him. There were many rats in the room wherein these books lay, but among three hundred, none were touched save the one I have mentioned. No, not even the Testament which was bound therewith. But the book of common prayer was probably savory to such filthy vermin, for it was clean devoured."
"And had he no prickings of conscience on the occasion?" inquired Mr. Johnson.
"I doubt whether the minions of Babylon have a conscience," rejoined Mr. Conant. "If so be they have, you might as well skin a flint, as stick a pin therein."
"It is a matter of rejoicing that they are all in the hands of the Lord," observed Mr. Johnson. "In due time, he will no doubt `drive the Canaanite out of the land.' "
"There is no reason to despair thereof," replied Mr. Conant; "but I marvel that England, which hath always been the staple of truth to the whole world, doth not rise and give him a helping hand. And now I think on't, can you tell me how the Protestant cause goes on in Europe?"
"You have heard of the success of Ferdinand the II. He has overrun all Saxony, and seems like to subdue the Protestants entirely. Urban hath swords and pens enough in his unrighteous service. Powerful kings are fighting in his cause; the Jesuits are stretching their arms north, south, east, and west, to hold up the reins of the falling church---and king Charles has caught the beast, and christened it Episcopacy, a cunning way, truly, to save him from the pursuit of his enemies. But Gustavus dares to stand out firmly against him; and I understand he is even now in arms, at the call of the reformers."
"I wish he had plenty of such men as Governor Endicott among his army," replied Mr. Conant. "Though I am verily sorry that there is likely to be difficulty concerning what he hath said of the king's popish colors. Assuredly I am of his opinion that it is a sinful and shameful abomination among us. The Governor is a bold man, and withal discreet. He sheweth that he hath the fear of God in this matter, though he hath none for man or devil."
"And yet," said Mary, "he is very courteous, and when he unbends the bow, you would think loving was all his trade. But come, Lady Arabella, your breakfast is, at last, ready. I have honored you more than we ever did any guests in America, for see mother's damask cloth is spread over our pine table."
"I have come into the wilderness too," rejoined her friend; "and I must learn to eat hominy and milk, and forget the substantial plum puddings of England. But `sweet is a dinner of herbs where love is,' " said she, as her eye rested on her husband, with all the pride of woman's affection. She touched a sensitive chord, and Mary hastily turned away, to conceal the starting tears.
"Come, move to the table, Mr. Johnson," said her father; "and you too, Lady Arabella; and after we have craved a blessing thereon, we will partake of pilgrims' fare."
"I am sure this venison is good enough for an alderman," observed his guest. "Will you taste some, Lady Arabella?"
"No, thank you," answered his wife. "I am going to try some of Mary's pumpkin and milk."
"That's right, Lady Arabella," rejoined Mr. Conant. "They are a kind of food which has been much despised, but I trust hereafter nobody will speak disrespectfully of pumpkins, inasmuch as it hath pleased the Lord to feed his people thereupon for many years. Ah, Mr. Johnson, you have come among us in good time, for the Dutch ships you heard us speak of, not only brought comforting tidings from our godly brethren in the Netherlands, but likewise much that was needful for the sustenance of the body. But the time has been when our bread was measured out to us, and scanty weight too. And comfortless as you may think this hut looketh now, it hath been far worse; for there was a season that we had no doors wherewithal to keep out the Indians---but though their hunters used to come in among us, `very mooch hungry,' as they would say, the Lord so disposed them, that they never harmed a hair of our heads."
Mr. Johnson looked at his wife, and smiled half mournfully, as if he was doubtful whether she could endure such trials; but he met the answering smile of a mind aware of its difficulties, and fortified against them.
"I have heard great reports about Hobomok," said she, turning to Mr. Conant. "They say he is a clever Indian and comely withal, and that he hath been of great use to our Plymouth brethren."
"You must ask Mary about him," replied Mrs. Conant, smiling. "She loves to hear his long stories about the Iroquois, which he learned of one of their chiefs who came hither many years ago; and his account of the ancestors of some neighboring tribe, who, as he saith, were dropped by an eagle on an island to the south."
"It's little I mind his heathenish stories," rejoined her husband; "but I have sat by the hour together, and gazed on his well fared face, till the tears have come into mine eyes, that the Lord should have raised us up so good a friend among the savages. Good morning to your honor," continued he, as Governor Endicott entered. "I trust you have not come to take our guests from us?"
"I have come in behalf of my good woman," answered the Governor, after he had returned the salutation of the strangers, "entreating that the Lady Arabella will abide with us during her stay in Salem."
"I shall most assuredly see madam Endicott, before I depart from hence," replied the noble lady; "but I chose the rather to abide with Lady Mary, as long as my husband seeth fit I should sojourn here, inasmuch as her daughter and I were some time acquainted across the water."
"It shall be as your ladyship says," rejoined the Governor; "but there are many godly women at my house, who came with you, and right glad should I be to have you added to them. At any event, I must carry away your good husband for the present, forasmuch as I have many important things whereof to inquire."
The gentlemen rose, and prepared to depart, and the ladies having returned the formal salutations of the courteous chief magistrate, were soon left to themselves.