A PLAGUE OF RATS
And now am I come to the spring of 1609, when befell us that disaster
which marked the beginning of the time of suffering, of trouble,
and of danger which was so near to wiping out the settlement
of Jamestown that the people had already started on their way to
England.
The day had come when we should put into the ground our Indian corn
that a harvest might follow. The supply, which was to be used as
seed, had been stored in casks and piled up in the big house wherein
were kept our goods.
When those who had been chosen to do the planting went for the
seed, it was found to have been destroyed by rats, and not only
the corn, but many other things which were in the storehouse, had
been eaten by the same animals.
Master Hunt maintained, and Captain Smith was of the same opinion,
that when the Phoenix was unloaded, the rats came ashore from her,
finding lodging in that building which represented the vital spot
of our town.
Howsoever the pests came there, certain it was we should reap no
harvest that year, unless the savages became more friendly than
they had lately shown themselves, and as to this we speedily learned.
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