Our people are not inclined to
listen to him in great numbers, however. I have never seen above
twenty at one time, the others being busy in the search for gold,
or trying to decide among themselves as to how it may best be found.
More than once have I heard Master Hunt say, while talking privately
with my master, that there would be greater hope for this village
of ours if we had more laborers and less gentlemen, for in a new
land it is only work that can win in the battle against the savages
and the wilderness.
Four carpenters, one blacksmith, two bricklayers, a mason, a sailor,
a barber, a tailor, and a drummer make up the list of skilled
workmen, if, indeed, one who can do nothing save drum may be called
a laborer. To these may be added twelve serving men and four boys.
All the others are gentlemen, or, as Master Hunt puts it, drones
expecting to live through the mercy of God whom they turn their
backs upon.
NEGLECTING TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUTURE
The one thing which seemed most surprising to us lads, after Captain
Smith had called it to our notice, was that these people, who knew
there could be no question but that the winter would find them in
Jamestown, when there could be neither roasting ears, peas, beans,
nor fowls of the air to be come at, made no provision for a harvest.
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