The mood was somber after the ship left and the men received less than half what they were owed. But they had their homes, this vast land, and several more would soon have children. So in reality, they had enough.

Anthony, Alex and John took the largest shallop out the next day to the inshore islands and did very well. Most merely went out in the Western Sound with their skiffs , and did likewise. They had also held back enough from previous catches to make sure they would not starve this winter. When the snow finally came in mid October, they had ample corn, fish and potatoes for the winter.

The high points of the winter were the Sunday get togethers with everyone in one large building, both fireplaces roaring. Food and fellowship, and yes of course the Sunday Church meeting. While not being as religious as their Pilgrim neighbors to the South, they still took great comfort in their quiet assurance in the faith.

Spring 1632

    A long winter it had been, However, it was now March. The ice was mostly gone from the bays and Western sound, and had been flushed out of the river awhile. The Eastern Sound had been more or less clear all winter because of ocean swells battering the shore from the constant NorthEast gales and swift river current.

    It was time to set up the salmon weirs, so a crew was sent upriver. The company ship was due by June. As he helped the men set up the weirs, Ambrose hoped the company sent more help, and a sawmill. Especially a sawmill. They had had both of the pitsaws being used off and on all winter. During brief periods with little snow on the ground, they had used unhappy oxen/cows to drag smaller tree sections inside the building to thaw out so to be sawed into lumber. They were really going to build a new large house this Summer. He would find the help, the time, somehow! Finally, the three wiers were ready, and catching their first salmon. Several men had briefly fished in the West Sound for bottom fish, but the water was bitterly cold, freezing hands pulling in lines, even with oilskin mittens. So, for now, they just soaked fishing lines from the shore, and drug whatever fish on them up on the beach.

A few fresh white fleshed fish were a very welcome addition to the supper meal after all winter eating salted fish. It was also a lot easier to rake in and dig up shellfish at low tide, now that chunks of sea ice no longer covered the beaches and mud flats.

Winter still did not really want to leave, they had two dustings of snow that month. However, the salmon were running well by late March, and so they fished with dip nets and gaffs.

    Anthony and Alex had to leave for upriver either late in the afternoon, or about three in the morning. They chose to leave in the afternoon. The problem was the morning tide was ebbing downriver. They could not sail North against the current.So they did what they must. They would arrive at the river after the afternoon inbound tide's force greatly slowed, and might have to row or pole the last three miles upriver. They had realized they could not make it North through the narrows South East of Great Island, so they launched their skiff into the NorthWest Back river just behind Anthony's home. Shortly, they were catching some wind for the sail, and being helped along with tide. Thing is they shortly lost the wind, being close to the West side of that Sound, and had to start rowing. About three hours later, they turned the corner out of the Sound and West into the river's Spring current. Alex had to jump ashore and drag the skiff upriver as Anthony helped by poling the boat along. Even in the eddies a foot or two off the bank, it was hard work. It took over two hours to go that last two miles. Finally, they collapsed on the bank in the spot the other two skiffs were tied up, outside the Rivers current. They were invited to some reheated fish stew, which was very welcome indeed. After that, they rolled up in their blankets inside the fishing house next to the fireplace, among the tired fishermen, and went to sleep. About five in the morning, they were roused as the others got ready for the dawn. Shortly, they were helping ready more fish for transport downriver. By Nine in the morning, they shoved off into the river current carrying them briskly along. By the time they got to the entrance of the West Sound, a fitful wind had sprung up, maybe enough to get them further South. Both the outgoing tide and river current helped. As neither of they wanted to row, they just let the light breeze and current take them home. Finally, they were almost there, doused the sail, and rowed upwind the last few hundred yards to where they had started yesterday afternoon. No, they did not want to start upriver again in about two hours!

They went back upriver again and again and--. Anyway, they also helped dry and salt the fish in between the days they sailed, rowed or tugged and poled upriver. Finally, late May came, and the salmon ceased the Spring migration. Alex, Anthony and John were starting out for a day of shallop fishing early one morning the first week of June, when a ship appeared rounding the Southern point. In a few minutes, as they sailed out of the harbor, the ship passing them a ways, then turned the ship's bow into the wind and let go the anchor. Anthony did not want to know which officious Lord has shown up this time, and besides they had Their Lord's fish to catch. For now, anyway, he reminded himself. They had to closely hug the Southern shore as the tide came in. It took them over an hour before they could finally head South round the Sound's entrance. From there they made good time a mile or so offshore, and then North to where they were going to fish for Pollock that day.

    A couple days earlier, the Glee boy had happily brought in a bucket of eels he had speared on the mud flats. However, regardless what was said, Anthony could not make himself want to eat eel! Especially when plenty of soft white fleshed Pollock were begging to be put into the stew pot!

Now, Alex had an idea he wanted to try, a different way of fishing. Anthony and John weren't sure about it, but were willing see if it was better. As soon as the arrived somewhat downwind of an inshore island, John turned the boats bow into the wind stopping her. Then Alex dropped a fishing line over the side, and attached a buoy. They sailed about fifty yards across  the wind. and dropped another line and buoy. They did this six more times. Then, they dropped the shallop's anchor, and three fishing lines from the boat. The point was the line that caught the most fish of the six they had stretched out over several hundred yards would be where they fished today. An hour later, they started sailing to each buoy in turn, pulling the line up, taking the fish off and re-baiting and tossing it back in the water. After they had done all of them it seemed both that there was not much difference where they had fished, and that it was a lot more work! So, after pulling them all a second time, with the same result, they went back to the previous fishing method. It was a lot easier.

Only a factor accompanied the trading ship this Spring. The company had sent no instructions from the shareholders, and little money to pay the workers. Apparently, they were still undecided about what to do about the plantation. Ambrose did get a letter from Lieutenant Ames, however. He had to read it twice to fully understand in Ames cryptic handwriting what it had said. “Many years ago there was a grain Mill on my families' estate. I understand it had been there for centuries. As a boy, one day I came across a few castings, parts from it. When I returned, I remembered this, and, after some searching, found them. A long bronze axle, bushings, end plates and a few small parts. I have put them on this ship. I believe they could be used to reconstruct a grain Mill or a Sawmill like you wanted. I was very impressed by everyone there and your industry. I know this will help you.”

Ambrose was just thunderstruck by this young man, and his so unnecessary kindness. He almost ran over to the ships factor and ship’s Captain, asking, where are the Mill parts sent to us by Lieutenant Ames? After frowning a bit, the factor did not know, but the ships Captain remembered. “Hmm, Yes, I remember hoisting aboard a long bronze

shaft, and a box of parts that was said to go with it. A Naval lieutenant accompanied these items to my ship, and waited while we loaded them. I have no idea what they were, really, but the young gentleman was quite insistent. We humor gentlemen with connections. We will see that you get them presently.” It was the next day that the ship's longboat rowed them ashore. One look at the bronze shaft, and the box's contents, and their carpenters responded to Ambrose's raised eyebrows “We can build your sawmill.” At that everyone was very happy. They had quite a celebration that evening. The ship's Captain even donated a couple bottles of wine to the Captain and Stewards. A very nice occasion, indeed!

    There were several suggestions as to where to build the Mill. One person suggested using tide power, as the streems were reduced to a trickle most of the year. All were informed their ideas would be considered. The next day, the two carpenters laid out all the parts, started measuring and planning. The foundation was going to have to be built first. After this, the shaft and bearings embedded in the foundation. Last, the water wheel and the reciprocating parts made. They would use one of the pit saw blades. After all that was done, the house around the mill would be constructed. All this would take time. However, they were reasonably sure they could have the sawmill done by late Summer. The only question was Where to build it?

The thing is, though, that the carpenters had been constructing a “plantation mansion” this Spring, and it was only partly finished. After someone remembered this, it was decided that some of the wooden parts for the sawmill would be  constructed next to the “mansion” on Strawberry Bank at Little Harbor. That way, the two carpenters could keep an eye on the three men finishing the planking on the sides of the building. The frame, “post and beam construction,” had already been completed. Once the sides were done, the roof frame needed to be built. It was likely that there would be a tall thatched roof this winter, though next year a plank and shingled roof would be possible, especially with a sawmill!

Once all the parts for the sawmill were complete, it could be moved by wagon or shallop wherever they wanted it. By wagon certainly be lots easier. The problem still was, where? They had received four wagon wheels, and parts from a well used wagon from their Lords to be used for transport here. It all “merely” needed to be reassembled. Another project for the future when it was finally needed.

    Three weeks later, the sides of the mansion were done, and the frames for the roof were up. It remained to attach the longitudinal poles about three foot apart up the sides of the roof. At this point, the carpenters were no longer needed, and could move the parts of the Mill where it would go. For the last three weeks, one man and the two boys had been sent out to gather lots of river reed for the thatching. Thankfully, they did not need to go very far. The reed was now bundled, and the bundles lay side by side starting on the ends of the building, finally meeting in the middle of the building. This took quite some time. The Cod were running by now, so most of the men and women were involved in catching, heading gutting, salting and drying fish. The Cod had even reached the inner islands this year, so the more seaworthy skiffs were pressed into service since it was August. All too soon, however, the Cod slowly left, and the first of September finally came. The weather started getting a little cooler. The pollock were running to some extent, so Anthony and his friends were still busy Fishing, bringing the fish ashore, and preparing them. It was a dawn to dusk work six days a week. The seventh day, the Lords day, people just tried to get some rest. However, they did what was required, and no more. The corn and other vetgtibles were just about ripe, and so the Fall harvest finally came.

    The Fall ship finally arrived for several days to take on its load of fish and other things the plantation had managed to produce. As usual, the ship's factor was not happy, but then what could you expect? The people were not happy eithor. They provided for their own Winter needs first. Since the company would not pay them their wages in a timely manner, nor provide them what they really needed to be productive, what did their Lord's expect?

As was said, very little money was forthcoming from the factor and their Lords. As the ships boat was leaving, the plantation's Captain Neal quietly told the ships factor that if the company wanted its fish and other items in the Spring, Their Lords were likely going to have to pay the men for their work. Their Lords were at least a years behind in their workers wages, and the people were very unhappy. “Otherwise …... “ Captain Neal left the rest unsaid.

As Anthony and Eleanor lay together late one night as the cold October rains beat on the roof. Eleanor asked, “My love, what’s going to happen? All this work for nothing can't continue, can it? And then what of us?” Anthony did not have an answer, so merely kissed her. “We will be fine.” he said. “We have our home, our children. We have each other.” Together they listened  to the howling wind until if finally sung them to sleep.

Spring 1633

    It was a warm winters day. The temperature was all the way up to about 35 degrees, instead of the usual three to five degrees for a daily high! The wind had also pretty much stopped, so that if you stood in the sun, it wasn't really that bad. Anthony was walking by their sawmill, and the sawyers had their oxen dragging fair sized lengths of trees out of the forest, and over to the Mill. He could hear axes in the distance that a couple others were busy felling smaller trees. No one really wanted to try to cut or Mill the massive trees three feet or more in diameter, which was most of the forest. Anthony smiled to himself. In his minds eye, some of these massive giants may have been saplings way back when Jesus walked the hills of Galilee! Regardless of how old they were, he was glad that tree felling wasn't his job. Half an hour later, he came upon the first snare in his trapline. It had sprung, but whatever had tripped it was long gone. So, Anthony re-baited and reset the trap. A few minutes later, he found an unhappy critter swinging back and forth, then snarling at him as he walked up. A quick swing of his club ended that, and Anthony stuffed it in his pack. Three hours later, he had several more critters, mostly small, to bring back home. Plenty of great meat on the last one, a wild turkey. They would eat really well, and he would have three more good pelts for sale when the Plymouth traders came in the spring. Anthony was going to have more than twenty fair sized furs to trade for things they needed. Eleanor was delighted when he showed her the turkey, so she took it from him to pluck and cook it. Anthony started skinning the several others. The big critter would also have lots of meat as well. He sure wished he knew where the flocks of wild turkey were, they were the best.

In no time, however, the below zero temperatures were back, and it was a real chore to check his trapline.

    Anthony and Alex were in the boat building shed a lot every week, helping craft the latest skiff, as well as work on some of the other items the company wanted in the Spring. The New “mansion” that they had built now housed Captain Neal, and Steward Ambrose and his wife. This left more room in the other buildings for the rest. What was needed was better furniture, so that was another project they worked on. Some of the river boats were likewise improved by their owners. In one case, a boat was totally disassembled to make a larger, more seaworthy one. Hand sawn Lumber was precious. The women who had spinning wheels were very busy all winter not only with the usual, but also making of lines for the Spring.

The Fall ships Factor had made it plain their Lords really did not want a lot of Salmon, they wanted Cod and Pollock. This Spring, as March arrived, this was discussed, and so this year salmon weirs were placed at the enterance to the river at the North end of the West Sound, and along the river at Thomas' creek opposite the Northern island. There was no point in struggling up the river any more. It was far easier to make daily trips there. They might not catch as much salmon, but then guess that was the point. Now, with their new sawmill it was possible to saw lumber more

quickly than by hand, even if it still took three men to use it. Sawing was no longer man killing work. It really wasn't as good as a proper Mill, but, at lease it could be made to work. This had produced lumber that was being used , among other things, to build a couple large sailing skiffs to get more fishing vessels out into the rough, choppy Eastern Sound and out to the inner Islands. If their Lordships wanted more Pollock, they were going to try to get them. However, they would work at a less of a killing pace this year. No point in working really hard if you might not get paid.

Anthony, Alex and John made a couple trips out to the mouth of the river Sound and inner islands in April. It was not until the first of May before they had good results catching Pollock. So all four boats joined in. The second big skiff was not yet done. Pollock and then Cod was what their Lords really wanted.     So, every morning, they would leave Little harbor as soon as their was enough wind to deal with the tide, no matter which way it was going. If the tide was coming in at a good clip, it might take them an hour or even two to get out of the Sound to sea. However they did it. It wasn't until late June before the second skiff joined them, and that was only because the corn planting was finally done.

They were out fishing one morning, when Plymouth's sixty foot, two masted Pink came South by them at the inner islands. Anthony and Alex talked to them briefly, when the Pink put her bow into the wind, hove to, a few yards away. “Hello there, someone on the Pink called over.” “Yes, we do have lots of furs to sell you” Alex called back. “Is your company ship in?” the person on the Pink asked, as they did not want to be a Little Harbor trading when the company ship was there. “No,” Anthony replied. “She has not come yet.” With that, the Pinks sails filled as she fell of the wind, As she bore away, the person called back, “we will see you in the harbor.” Anthony waved back.

    No Spring ship came. Not really a cause for concern, So they fished. It was late August and still no company ship. Anthony Alex and John were fishing the offshore islands for the last of the cod for they season, and also getting some pollock and an occasional flat fish. John almost lost the tip of is first finger in the jaws of one of those silly looking puffer fish that morning, trying to get it off the hook. It still hurt. They saw a good sized ship sailing downwind along the coast. When she was off the mouth of the river Sound, she hauled her yards around, and headed West into the river Sound. Soon, all they could see were her topmasts which hove into the wind, then struck, furled her sail. So, yes, it must have been the company ship. Several hours later the two shallop’s rounded the point, and forced their way into the Sound against the ebbing tide. There was some confusion when they finally arrived back at the harbor. Their Lords had made changes, but it was not yet clear what they were. The ship's factor had made that brief comment to Captain Neal and leading steward Ambrose, before suggesting they retire to the mansion to discuss what they were. The remainder of the day finally ended.

At dusk, all three finally appeared at the doorway of the mansion. Captain Neal spoke. “I have been recalled to London. The company, the plantation, is in receiver-ship. It looks like The shares of the company may be bought by Lord Mason. We do not yet know what this means.” Ambrose spoke up. “As of now, you are no longer employees of the company and you will have to look after yourselves. The ship will buy all of your fish and other items the company had wanted you to produce. The factor will pay a reasonable price. As the salmon is not highly sought after, it will only get half the price as does the cod and pollock. Lord Mason, if he does acquire the shares in the company, will send someone to replace Captain Neal, likely next summer. As of now however, myself and the other stewards are left in charge of the companies assets.

    “What about the oxen/cows?” Someone asked. “Those who have need of them use them” was Ambrose's answer. Very shortly, all the cows and livestock were divided up. Anthony already had three goats, including a yearling. He made sure they stayed with him. His two milking goate provided enough milk for his family. He had even trained them to pull a small plow, so he smiled to himself that he likely had the only oxen/goats on this continent! The next few days were interesting, eventful as the ships Factor handed the payment money to Ambrose to pay out to the men. It took lots of bargaining as to who would get what. As it was pointed out, that the farmers were as important as the fishermen. Everyone needed cornbread every day. Bread was life. Of course, as it always is in this sort of thing, no one was totally sattisified. One thing for sure, the ship's Factor was very glad when he got back to his ship, that he had not been torn apart by the mob! Hopefully, in his mind, he really did not want to come back to this desolate, forsaken wilderness again! Shortly, the ship weighed anchor, and was gone in a good wind on an ebb tide.

    The next day, everyone went back out fishing for themselves and their families. Those without sea skiffs did very well fishing the deep holes in the Western Sound. The salt works also was a going concern. Everyone needed salt to preserve their fish for the long snowy winter. Another four weeks, and the harvest had to be brought in. Most everyone helped in that, to make sure they got their share of the corn for the winter. There were still fifty two men and twenty two women. Twenty two families, with several small children, and twenty eight single men and two boys. Most who hoped, of course, that the next ship would bring more women, but only time would tell about that!

    Quite a lot of wild fruit had been pick by the women, and some of it had been preserved for the winter. Alex had even found several small apple trees, likely from the fishermen almost ten years ago. He even got a deer feeding on the fallen apples that fall. Most of the berries had been eaten as they were picked, and some of the blueberries, blackberries and razberries had been used to preserve meat.

The last week in September, the nights had turned crisp, and the leaves painted a heavenly picture. It was rather cold for fishing. Anthony and Alex had not been upriver since early Spring. They decided to go up above the first rapids, to hunt for whatever they could find. They needed furs for the Spring traders. Anthony brought along his crossbow and pistol. He did not want to carry that long, heavy fowling piece. Besides, his bow was much quieter. They had not used their river skiff much that Summer, but it was still pretty much water tight. The river current was not as swift as it had been in the Spring, as the fall rains had not really come as yet. They chose the flood tide early morning, and, with its help, reached the river above the Western Sound in the early afternoon. The river was going to be different, though. After an hour of rowing, Anthony jumped up onto the bank with a long rope, and he pulled and Alex poled the boat the last two miles up to the inlet at the portage around the falls. It only took an hour to bring the boat and their things to the calm water a hundred paces above the falls. From there, the rowing was a bit easier. They chose the second creek on that shore, and paddled up quite a ways to within sight of an otter's dam. They pulled their boat up on the bank, and hid it in the brush, then they stalked up around the dam. But nothing was visible. They noted a couple of game trails down to and across the creek. They decided to rest nearby, and pulled some food out of their packs. They had just begun to eat, when some small furry creature wandered by. Alex raised his fouling piece, but Anthony stopped him. “You'll scare all the game” he whispered. It had scurried into the undergrowth by then anyway. A few minutes later, however, Anthony saw a furry nose and little beady eyes looking at them. He raised his bow cocked it, and let fly. The brush exploded as a varmint, and a fair sized one at that, tore up the undergrowth in panic. It did not get far, a few minutes later they found it. As they did not need the meat, they just skinned it. They decided to sit hunt a short distance from the game trail. Anthony whispered that he would shoot the small game with his crossbow. Anything larger, Alex to get with his fouling piece. Only one more critter arrived that afternoon. The pelt of one of the otters on his way home