The journey over was storm filled and full of hardships. The weather can only be described as cold, damp, and sets like cement on your lungs. Last year, diseases unknown to our knowledge, killed 50% of our village. Also, we live under trees with sticks and leaves overhead and straw on the floor for our shelters. You should stay in England because you may not make it to the New Land; diseases may kill you, the weather is frightful and there is no civilization.

The journey over the Atlantic Ocean was ebony furry. The water would go still and calm before a great storm. The sky would be clear and in another minute it would go black as night. Then, the water would gurgle and spew. Storms here go on for days upon days. Finally, when the storms are done, we assemble our living and count our dead.

When...