Chapter 5, Survival Summary and Analysis

The North Atlantic trip is cold and many groan. Winthrop fights to keep up their spirits by getting them to play games on deck. After two months, land is sighted and in two days they see New England. They eventually cast anchor between Bakers Island and Little Island off Plum Cove. When they arrive, they see only a few huts and hovels, and realize they have no obvious way to survive the winter. They cannot live only on food that can be salted and dried, as they will risk scurvy.

The summer is hot and many of the passengers are malnourished. The winters will be colder than English winters as well. Many die and they risk attack from the French and Spanish, who have rival colonies. Further, nearby Indians and traders might prove a menace as well. Winthrop, however...