Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans Read Online Free Page A

“It’s no bother. I’m not familiar with any ship called Mayflower. The ship out yonder is the Speedwell. ”
    That’s odd, I thought. Where was the Mayflower ?
    “You look bewildered,” said the kind stranger. “Can we help you? Are you looking for someone?”
    “As a matter of fact, I am,” I replied. “I’m looking for one of the leading members of the Puritans, a Mr. William Bradford.”
    Immediately, the woman stopped crying and the man stepped in front of her. He responded, “I’m William Bradford. Do you come bearing bad news?”
    Surprised at my sudden discovery, I jumped off Liberty and reached out to shake his hand. “Mr. Bradford, it is an honor tomeet you! I’m a big admirer and I would love to be of assistance to you.” When I realized I was still shaking his hand, I let go and just smiled.
    William looked back at the woman, who I assumed was his wife, and then back to me. He said, “I’m sorry, but have we met?”
    “Technically, no,” I replied. “But I was told I could find you here.” I fudged the truth a little and continued: “You see, I’m a history teacher—an historian, of sorts, and a Pilgrim, in spirit. Your Puritan faith fascinates me and I would love to follow you to the New World.”
    “I see,” said William. “A fellow Puritan is always welcome to join us. We are boarding the Speedwell now. Many of us are saying goodbye to friends and family who are staying in Holland.”
    “Do you mind my asking why you’re leaving? This looks like a beautiful country and a wonderful place to raise a family,” I said, looking around and spreading my arms as if to show William everything he was leaving behind. That’s when I noticed Liberty following a man pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with large cheese wheels. I hoped the horse was behaving himself.
    “Looks can be deceiving,” William said. “We lived in Leiden, Holland, for twelve years, but it is not our home. Originally, we came from Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England. But the government forced us to choose between following our faith and following the law.”
    “What did you do?” I asked.
    “We chose to follow our faith. So we left in search of a land where we could be free to believe and worship without persecution. We found that in Holland. We even created the ‘Pilgrim Press’ and printed papers to help spread the word about religious freedom. But now we need a community that protects ourfamilies from evil influences. Some of our members, including our older youths, are beginning to leave the Puritan faith because of what they see and hear from our Dutch neighbors. It is for this reason we have decided to start fresh in the New World.”
    I nodded with understanding and said, “It appears your wife will miss this place.”
    William’s wife quickly looked away from me. I could tell she was trying desperately not to cry, so she tearfully excused herself. William reached for her but she was now beyond his grasp.
    “My wife, Dorothy, and I have decided to leave behind our three-year-old son, John. The journey is expected to be dangerous. We have wrestled in mighty prayer to know whether or not we should bring him. We believe that God has told us that John would be safer if he stayed. He will be cared for, but, as you can imagine, the decision has been particularly painful for Dorothy.”
    Again, I nodded, trying to show support. I knew that William and his wife were only trying to do what was best for their toddler. However, I also knew that other Pilgrims had chosen to bring their young children.
    William interrupted my thoughts and said, “I apologize. I have yet to ask your name.”
    Before I could respond, screams turned our attention toward the shops. Women were running toward us while dodging several large cheese wheels as they rolled toward the water. I had a funny feeling I knew who was behind this. When all the cheese wheels came to a stop, I looked for Liberty. I presumed he was hiding.
    I turned back to