Send to: Susan Carpenter

Robert Carpenter  

December 25th, 1606

On board of the Susan Constant

Merry Christmas!

Source: lizahontas.tripod.com

Dear Susan,

It has felt so long since I have last seen you, my love. Even though it has only been five days, it has felt like an eternity has been spent without you next to me. Although I would love to spend this Christmas with you on this boat, it would have been quite bothersome, for this wretched ship is all so small and filled with drunkards of the like. Anyways, the last five days have been uneventful. Though I have made some friends (more like acquaintances), they are all pretty dull. They have no signs of imagination or intellect whatsoever. Whenever I come to talk to them, or more likely to have a sincerely awkward conversation with them, well, it's just as good as talking to a wooden wall. Conversations may happen as so:

"So John, the food was quite terrible today, wasn't it? We should hire a new chef, this won't be able to continue for very long." 

"Hmm, yes. Sure."

"Yesterday, I reckon the so-called 'soup' had a rat's tail sticking out from it!"

"Yes, yes. Quite so."

That's how most of the conversations start between us. That's also how they end. 

Some of the merry men on the ship try to entertain themselves by singing sea chants. I usually come to watch their antics after dinner. One masterful musician, although very poor, he can play beautiful music from his piccolo. Another plays his small fiddle and dances around in a madman-ish fashion as he strings out wonderful notes into the sky. The fiddler is usually the one who starts the song in which we will be singing very soon when everyone starts to join in. I don't sing, for I am horrified of what everyone will think of my voice. As you know, I don't quite have the voice of an angel! But still, I do love to come just for the plain amusement of the whole situation.

The rest of the day, before dinner, is very monotonous. I keep myself buy by trying whittling small blocks of wood which I manage to scavenge across the ship. I turn those blocks of wood into tiny farm animals, such as cows and roosters, then I save them up. Why, you ask? Well, I'm hoping that when I go to the New Land, maybe I'll find some children to give them to. I am so glad I chose to bring my tools on this trip. 

But only doing so, is not enough to diminish my boredom. So I have decided to learn how to read. Yes, you hear me clear. I met a fine merchant a few days before going on this ship. He was a very sophisticated man who, just like me, came from London. Being a bit older than me, maybe in his mid forties, he had graying hair, but till managed to wear a smile on his face and a slight twinkle in his eyes. Anyways, one tiresome day, I was walking past the man on the way back from work and saw him reading on a bench in the street. He was reading such a great big book, filled with dove-winged  pages and symbols and scriptures I could not even attempt to understand. I guess the man noticed me looking at his book over his shoulder, and asked me if I wanted to read it. I shamefully replied saying I didn't now how to read, being only a mere artisan. So the most amazing thing happened, he offered me the chance of learning how to read, him being the teacher of course. And how can I decline such an opportunity? I willingly replied yes, exchanging names (his name is Timothy), and ever since then I've been learning how to read and write from him. These little classes take place at the very bench I met Timothy, usually a couple of minutes before and after working at the carpenter's shop. And what was even better was the fact that he was also going on the Susan Constant all the way off to the new world! After hearing that, we studied together during the dull hours of the day on the boat. 

So after a lot of work and effort, I was able learn how to read and write - quite well to be honest. He was even so kind enough to help revise, edit, and help me write this letter to you. Without him, I wouldn't even be able to contact you. So when you'll finally be able to to the New World on a ship like I am right now, I'll make sure that you'll be acquainted with him someday. He truly is the most wonderful man on this ship. You two will get along together just fine. 

Well anyways, it was wonderful writing to you, my dear Susan. I will try to write to you whenever possible. Once again, Merry Christmas - hope it was as wonderful as it can ever be, and I will see you soon. Or at least write to you sooner. Which ever comes first (I really hope it's the first statement). 

With much love,

Robert