I heard it said, although I myself was not on shore to see what
was done, that in all the churches prayers were made for our safe
journeying, and there was much marching to and fro of soldiers, as
if some great merrymaking were afoot.

The shore was lined with people; booths were set up where showmen
displayed for pay many curious things, and food and sweetmeats
were on sale here and there, for so large a throng stood in need
of refreshment as well as amusement.

It was a wondrous spectacle to see all these people nearby on the
shore, knowing they had come for no other purpose than to look at
us, and I took no little pride to myself because of being numbered
among the adventurers, even vainly fancying that many wondered what
part a boy could have in such an undertaking.

Then we set sail, I watching in vain for a glimpse of Nathaniel
Peacock as the ships got under way. Finally, sadly disappointed,
and with the sickness of home already in my heart, I went into the
forward part of the ship, where was my sleeping place, thinking
that very shortly we should be tossing and tumbling on the mighty
waves of the ocean.

In this I was mistaken, for the wind was contrary to our purpose,
and we lay in the Downs near six weeks, while Master Hunt, the
preacher, who had joined the company that he might labor for the
good of our souls; lay so nigh unto death in the cabin of the Susan
Constant, that I listened during all the waking hours of the night,
fearing to hear the tolling of the ship's bell, which would tell
that he had gone from among the living.