Suggested Readings. Smith: McMurry, Pioneers on Land and Sea, 68-102; Hart, Source Book, 33-37; Higginson, American Explorers, 231-246.
Baltimore: Pratt, Early Colonies, 132-137; Smith and Dutton, The Colonies, 39-50; Sparks, American Biography, 5-229.
PILGRIMS AND PURITANS IN NEW ENGLAND
MILES STANDISH, THE PILGRIM SOLDIER, AND THE STORY OF "PLYMOUTH ROCK"
They board the "Speedwell"
The Pilgrims' dearest country
43. The Pilgrims. Persecuted for their religion in England, the Pilgrims first went to Holland. There they wandered from place to place, finally settling in the city of Leiden. But they saw that they could not keep their own language and customs among the Dutch, so they decided to go to America and found a colony of their own. John Carver, William Bradford, William Brewster, and Edward Winslow were the leaders of the little band that had chosen to go on the long and dangerous journey. The parting was sad. Eyes were wet with weeping and voices were choked with sorrow as the last words were spoken before going on board the Speedwell. Even the Dutch bystanders were moved to tears. Listen to the words of Bradford: "So they left that goodly and pleasant city which had been their resting place nearly twelve years; but they knew they were Pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lifted up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits."
The Speedwell carried them across to England, where they found the Mayflower.