It was almost Christmas before the Pilgrims decided on the spot to begin their new home, which was to be called Plymouth. The men all went to work, chopping down trees and shaping logs for a building in which all could live together until they could build more houses. When this was ready, just a few days before Christmas, they brought the women and children ashore.
In this picture (1332. Landing of the Pilgrims) one painter has shown us what kind of a day he thought it was. The skies are dark, the wind is blowing hard, and the waves are rough. The men pull the boat close to a rock, and hold her steady while the wanderers step upon it.
PLYMOUTH ROCK
This rock has ever since been called Plymouth Rock, and it has been kept and carefully guarded through all the many, many years that have passed since the Pilgrims first stepped upon it. Here is a picture of the actual rock, which we all love so well. (1333. Plymouth Rock.) So many thoughtless people broke off bits for keepsakes that it was necessary to build an iron railing around it so that it could not be reached. That has been taken away now. If you some day have a chance to visit Plymouth, you will see that a fine marble arch has been built over it.
MILES STANDISH AND HIS SOLDIERS
Now came many troubles and hardships. The weather was bitterly cold, and the Pilgrims were without comfortable homes in which to keep warm. They had not enough of the right kind of food. So many of them were sick that the second house which was put up was needed for a hospital. Then there were the Indians, of whom they stood in constant fear.
The men chose for their captain the brave Miles Standish, who had proved himself a good soldier and captain while in Holland. He drilled them so that they might be ready to fight the red men if necessary.
A friendly young Indian named Hobomok came to live with the Pilgrims. As he knew all about the Indians and the country, he was of great help to them. (1340. Miles Standish and His Soldiers.) Here you see Captain Standish and some of his soldiers following the faithful Hobomok, who is showing them the way.