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Monday, October 29, 2012

Adventure 3 Teaser 1



I awoke behind a stack of rugs and a wooden chest of clothing. Staring at me was a young girl who couldn't have been more than four years old. She greeted me with a cherubic smile, but she didn’t say anything at first. She just looked at me with her big green eyes.       
“Where am I?” I asked the little girl.
            “On the boat,” she answered. She had a subtle British accent.
            “What boat?”
            “May-fower.”
            “May-fower?” I had to think for a second.  “The Mayflower?
            “Yes, mum.” she said.


The Pilgrims . . .

. . . The Indians . . . 

. . .Plague . . . 

. . . Famine . . . 

Everything you've heard is true!

But there is so much more to learn . . .

Experience the First Thanksgiving 
in a way that's unlike anything 
you've ever read before . . .



TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  


TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD


Available at Amazon.com!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Journey to Ancient Greece - Chapter 15, Part 1



Kisandra also had trouble sleeping that night. She was nervous enough about being picked to wed Kaiaphas’ son, but now she was going to be allowed to travel into town unsupervised with Rhachel, and if that wasn’t enough her brother was in town and planning to help her escape. It was almost too much to handle. That morning she was tired but not sleepy. She slept in the slaves’ quarters away from the main house. There were forty other people sleeping on the floor near her in a large, clay building with a dirt floor. As soon as she saw the sun peak over the horizon Kisandra got up and began to get ready for the day. She wasn’t sure exactly when Rhachel would arrive to get her but she wanted to be ready for anything.
           By mid-morning Rhachel still hadn’t appeared and Kisandra was beginning to think that she had forgotten or changed her mind. What terrible luck. Her brother was so close and this was a perfect opportunity to get away from the farm and away from Isaak. Kisandra walked into the weavers’ workshop and prepared to get to work when she heard a voice outside.
“Kisandra!”
It was Rhachel! She had shown up after all.
“In here,” yelled back Kisandra. She ran to the door and looked around. She saw Rhachel walking towards the workshop. Her golden hair looked even more radiant in the morning sun.
And she was followed by Isaak.
“Kisandra! Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
“Good. And Isaak will be tagging along as our protection. You’ve met Isaak, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” said Kisandra. Oh, no! She quickly glanced at Isaak, but his stony countenance and gray eyes returned no emotion at all. In fact, he looked angry. Kisandra doubted that following around two girls while they went shopping in the market was his idea of a fun job. She was hoping this wouldn’t happen. She said a quick prayer to the gods that whatever plan Argo had, that it would still be able to work even with Isaak factored into the equation.

          By late morning the sun was shining brightly over the small market area of Patras. The streets were filled with customers, merchants, and kids running around doing their errands or looking for food scraps.
          Rhachel was leading Kisandra through the streets towards a large shop that specialized in sheets, linens, rugs, and clothing. This was the first time Kisandra had an opportunity to see the town itself.
          “We are very lucky, Kisandra,” said Rhachel. “Most of the young women aren’t allowed out in public very often, but my father says it’s okay for us since it’s a special occasion. Were you allowed to go to market where you were from?”
          “Not really,” said Kisandra.   
“You will love this place,” said Rhachel. “They have the best designs you’ll ever see. Better even than Athens.”
          “But I don’t have any money,” said Kisandra.
          “Oh, don’t worry about it. My father has an account here.”
          Kisandra kept sneaking looks around to see if she could spot Argo anywhere, but she had yet to see him. Someone she did see, however, was Isaak and his big deputy walking just a few steps behind them. Both men were wearing their heavy swords sheathed at their sides. She hoped they wouldn’t get to use those swords on Argo.

          Kisandra couldn’t believe her eyes when they entered the linens market. It was a series of outdoor stands and one large indoor shop all clustered along one busy street. The array of colors, styles, and designs was breathtaking for a simple farmer’s daughter.  Kisandra had never seen so much clothing in so many colors on display in one place. She could see reds, blues, purples, and pastels. The dyed clothing was typically too expensive for anyone but the wealthy and the only clothes Kisandra had ever worn were either white or brown and homemade by herself or her mother. Most of these garments were made in other parts of Greece and were brought here by trade ships that would drop off the garments before filling up with produce to be exported away.
For a split second she was kind of sad to have to leave this behind, that is, if Argo could rescue her.  She quickly pushed aside the temptation of staying close to such a wonderful market. There was no way she would allow herself to be groomed for marriage to Kaiaphas’ son.
          Rhachel was showing Kisandra a maroon tunic with golden trimming inside the central shop when Kisandra noticed a young girl roaming through the store by herself. The young girl caught Kisandra’s eye because she didn’t look Greek or Persian. She had never seen anyone that looked quite like her. The girl had a pretty face with brown skin and black hair. Kisandra also noticed that while the girl appeared to be looking at the clothing, she was also slowly moving closer to Rhachel.
          Argo had pointed out to Kyla which girl was Kisandra. Now it was up to her to fulfill her part of the plan, but she was very nervous. Her palms were clammy and cold, and she could hear her own pulse thumping in her ears. She angled closer to Rhachel and Kisandra.  
She was trying to decide what she could easily lift off of Rhachel.  Rhachel was wearing a golden hairpin that kept her long, blonde hair propped up above her shoulders. Kyla thought that made a tempting target. She wanted to make sure Rhachel didn’t see her coming so she did her best to stay out of her eyesight. Kyla did notice that Kisandra had spotted her and she was hoping that Kisandra wouldn’t say something to Rhachel. Because of that possibility she decided to move quickly.
Kyla took a deep breath and moved up just behind Rhachel and reached up for the hair pin. As soon as her hand came within an inch of the pin, however, Rhachel bent over to pick up a garment she had dropped on the floor. When she stood back up, Rhachel bumped Kyla’s outstretched arm. Kyla took that moment to snatch the gold hairpin out of Rhachel’s hair.  As Rhachel turned to face Kyla her blonde locks tumbled down around her shoulders.  The first thing she saw was a young girl with a black pony-tail running towards the shop’s exit.
          “My hair!” yelled Rhachel. “My hairpin! Stop! Thief!




TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  

Friday, October 26, 2012

Escape to Pennsylvania


“Godspeed to thee, ladies and gentlemen,” said Thomas Garrett. “Write me when you arrive in Philadelphia.”
Alexander cracked the reins and the horses took off. He kept them running at full speed until they were a few miles outside of Wilmington. Everyone in the carriage bounced and jostled with each bump in the road. Zammie sat next to a window and he could stick his head out a little and see the quarter moon and the stars shining brightly above them. He could also see the horizon point where the sky met the northern edge of the Allegheny Mountain Range way off to the west.  The air rushing past him was very cold forcing him to bring his head back inside. As he did something moving on the road behind them caught his attention. He stuck his head back out again and saw another buggy following them at full gallop.
“There’s someone following us!” Zammie said.
Robert and Ben both looked out the windows on the other side of the carriage. They could see the buggy with two passengers being pulled by two horses.
Alexander had also heard the carriage. When they arrived at the top of a small hill he stood up and looked back. The smaller, lighter buggy was quickly gaining on them.
“Hold on inside,” he yelled. He cracked the reins again and pushed his two horses to run as fast as they could. They were just a few miles south of Pennsylvania and he was hoping to cross the state line before the pursuers overtook them. Alexander pulled a Colt Navy revolver out of his coat preparing for a possible confrontation.
The buggy was less than two hundred yards away when Harriet could hear the chasing men yelling for Alexander to stop.
“Oh, Lord, please don’t let ‘em catch us!” said Henry. His hands were folded in front of his face in prayer.
Alexander pushed his horses to run faster.  Then the firing of a gun was heard coming from the chasing carriage.
“Get down everyone!” said Harriet. Everyone in the carriage tried to crumple down as low as they could, but it was difficult with so many people crammed into such a small space.
Bullets began zipping past Alexander. One bullet went through the back of the wagon, through the cabin, and continued out the front of the wagon. Zammie saw the splintered bullet hole in the wood panel right above Kyla’s head.
Alexander took another look back and saw that the pursuers were now within one hundred yards. He fired one round off from his gun but a bump in the road threw off his aim and the bullet was sent off harmlessly into the night sky. A second later he heard another round from the pursuers zip past his ear. It sounded like the buzz of a bee flying by. They were getting too close, and the state line was still a good distance away. 
Alexander took a deep breath. He turned around, and fired four shots in quick succession towards one of the pursuer’s horses. A moment later he saw the horse stagger and fall in the middle of the road pulling the second horse down as well and bringing the buggy to a stop. One of the men in the buggy jumped out onto the road and fired a couple more shots towards Alexander, but neither shot made its mark. Alexander continued pushing his horses for another mile and a half when he saw a sign post that raised his spirits. 

-- "Escape to Pennsylvania" 
from Time Trip #2: A Ride On the Underground Railroad






TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 

Available at Amazon.com!  

Monday, October 22, 2012

The Start of Kristallnacht


“What is it?” asked Kyla. She could now hear noises coming from outside; the sounds of voices in the streets.
“I thought I heard a crash,” said Marga. “There are people out here.”
“Who is it?” asked Susan.
Both Susan and Zammie were now awake as well. All three children rushed over to join Marga at the window. It was still dark in their room, but their faces were illuminated through the thin plate glass by the glow of burning torches being held by the people outside. Moving up the road towards the house they saw volunteer firemen dressed in heavy coats and helmets. There was smoke rising from a couple buildings a few blocks away from them.
“There’s a fire!” said Zammie. “And there’s another one!”
Crowds of people were now filling the streets. Zammie spotted several soldiers going door-to-door holding large, growling German Shepherds on leashes. Some of the villagers were throwing rocks and bricks through the windows of every building they passed. Why didn’t the police stop them? thought Zammie. Other people were tossing lit torches through the smashed windows of some of the storefronts.
Kyla saw a gang of men break down the door of one of the houses and barge inside. A few moments later she saw them dragging an older man and woman out of the house and throwing them in the street. The woman was crying hysterically and the old man was trying to calm her down. They were both in their sleeping garments.
Then the children watched as a gang of young men dressed in brown shirts and pants approached the synagogue just a few doors away and began throwing bricks through all the windows.
“What are they doing?” Marga gasped.
Other villagers threw torches into the synagogue and within seconds a large fire began to swell inside the sanctuary. Soon the flames were burning through the wooden roof.
“Who are those people?” asked Zammie.
“I don’t know,” said Marga. “I don’t recognize any of them.”
Marga noticed a few of the men who were wearing brown military shirts began walking towards her house. Nearly everyone in the street was carrying a torch in one hand and a large rock in the other.
“They’re coming this way!” said Marga.
“Are they gonna hurt us?” asked Susan. Her eyes were filled with terror.
Marga could hear her father and Grandpa talking downstairs.
“Let’s go downstairs. Follow me!” she said.

-- The Start of Kristallnacht
from Time Trip #4: Killing For Country





TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  

Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Journey to Ancient Greece - Chapter 14




(or start at the beginning)



The group built up another campfire just a few steps away from Vinnie’s boat.  They grilled up more fish and Vinnie made a delicious soup with some of the wild greens growing on a nearby hill. None of them had realized how hungry the day’s activities had made them until they started eating. They enjoyed their meal under the early evening sky while Kyla described her plan. 
          “This is simpler than the magic seeds plan,” said Kyla, “but all we have to do is get Kisandra and get to the boat, right? So our timing has to be perfect.”
          “What do we need to do?” asked Argo.
          “While Kisandra and Kaiaphas’ daughter are shopping,” said Kyla, “we need to cause a distraction to get Kisandra away without the other girl knowing it. So when we see them I will pretend to be a pick-pocket. I’ll steal something from the other girl to get her to chase after me. When I do that, Argo, you have to run over to grab Kisandra and get her to the boat as quick as you can.”
          “You’re going to steal something? Where will you go when she chases you? What if she calls for the police?” asked Zammie.
          Kyla thought for a moment. “If I drop whatever it is I take then I bet she will stop chasing me. Or at least be distracted long enough to pick the thing up so I can get away.”
          “I don’t know, Kyla,” said Zammie. “This is risky.”
          “I think it’s a good idea,” said Argo. “This is a perfect way to distract everyone and will certainly cause a disturbance which will allow Kisandra to sneak away. And as soon as we get to the boat you will be ready to cast off, right Vinnie?”
          “Absolutely,” answered Vinnie. “All of you are correct. This plan will require perfect timing, it’s very risky, and it should provide the cover you need to get away. Kyla, are you sure you will be able to do your part?”
          “Yes. I have to,” she said.
          “You better not chicken out,” said Zammie.
          “I won’t, cousin. Trust me,” she said.
          “Good,” said Vinnie. “Then rest now. Another big day tomorrow. You’ve had several of these big days lately it seems.”
          “Zammie?” asked Argo.
          “Yes?”
          “Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I want to thank you both for helping me.”
          “Don’t mention it, Argo,” said Zammie.
          Argo pulled two small, wooden figurines out of his leather satchel and handed one to Zammie and one to Kyla.
          “Here”, he said. “It’s not much, but it’s the only payment I can offer.”
          Zammie and Kyla looked at their gifts. They were soldier figurines whittled out of wood and decorated with a red and blue dye. The soldiers wore hoplite armor and held shields and swords. They were a little rough around the edges, but Argo showed true skill for carving.
          “Did you make these?” asked Zammie.
          “Yes. I’m not very good at carving, but like I said. It’s all I have.”
          “No, they’re great,” said Zammie.
          “Ah, Argo, that’s so sweet,” said Kyla.
          Argo blushed. “Well . . . we should rest now. Thanks again.”  He took his spot on the ground near the campfire and tried to sleep. He could hardly wait for the next day. He had a tough time sleeping because he was so excited. He had travelled a long way to get to this point. He still couldn’t believe his fortune in finding these two children who were helping him. They had done so much for him. He had no idea how he could ever possibly thank them fully, and the little figurines were the only things he could offer at this moment.  He still wasn’t exactly sure where these two children even came from. 

          That night they all slept in an open grassy area on the edge of the beach while their small campfire kept them warm. The sounds of the waves hitting the sand ran through their dreams.
Vinnie was the first to wake. He was up before dawn cleaning some more fish for breakfast. He also cooked up some biscuits by mixing some flour with a little of their fresh water and some leftover olive oil. When the children woke up they were greeted with the pleasant aromas of fresh grilled tuna and fried bread. They had grape juice mixed with water to drink.
          After they had finished their breakfast Argo asked, “Is everyone ready? Does everyone remember their part?”
          “Yes,” said Zammie.
          “The boat will be ready,” said Vinnie.
          “You know I’m ready,” said Kyla.



To be continued in Chapter 15 . . .


TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Pilgrim Elders - William Brewster

William Brewster (c. 1566 – 10 April 1644) was an English official and Mayflower passenger in 1620. In New England he became a Separatist colonist leader and preacher. William Brewster was born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, about 1566, and died at Plymouth, Massachusetts on 10 April 1644. He was the son of William Brewster and Mary Smythe and he had a number of half-siblings. 

He was raised in Scrooby, north Nottinghamshire. In the seventeenth century, Scrooby Manor was in the possession of the Archbishops of York. Brewster's father, William senior, had been the estate bailiff for the archbishop for thirty-one years, from around 1580. With this post went that of postmaster, which was a more important one than it might have been in a village not situated on the Great North Road, as Scrooby was then.

William studied briefly at Peterhouse, Cambridge before entering the service of William Davison in 1584. In 1585, Davison went to the Netherlands to negotiate an alliance with the States-General. In 1586, Davison was appointed assistant to Queen Elizabeth's Secretary of State Francis Walsingham, but in 1587 he lost the favour of Elizabeth, after the beheading of her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. Brewster was the only Pilgrim with political and diplomatic experience. With his mentor in prison, Brewster had returned home to Scrooby for a time, where he took up his father’s former position as postmaster.

Restrictions and pressures applied by the authorities convinced the congregation of a need to emigrate to the more sympathetic atmosphere of Holland, but leaving England without permission was illegal at the time, so that departure was a complex matter. On its first attempt, in 1607, the group was arrested at Scotia Creek, but in 1608 Brewster and others were successful in leaving from The Humber. In 1609, he was selected as ruling elder of the congregation.

Initially, the Separatists settled in Amsterdam and worshiped with the Ancient Church of Francis Johnson and Henry Ainsworth. Offput by the bickering between the two, which ultimately resulted in a division of the Church, the Separatists left Amsterdam and moved to Leiden after only a year.


In Leiden, the group managed to make a living. Brewster taught English and later, in 1616–1619, as the partner of one Thomas Brewer, printed and published religious books for sale in England, though they were proscribed there. In 1619, Brewster and Edward Winslow published a religious tract critical of the English king and his bishops. James ordered Brewster’s arrest, and when the king’s agents in Holland came to seize the Pilgrim elder, Brewster was forced into hiding just as preparations to depart for America entered the most critical phase. The printing type was seized by the authorities from the English ambassador, Sir Dudley Carleton, and Brewster's partner was arrested. Brewster escaped and, with the help of Robert Cushman and Sir Edwin Sandys, obtained a land patent from the London Virginia Company on behalf of himself and his colleagues.

With Brewster in hiding, the Separatists looked to their deacon John Carver and to Robert Cushman to carry on negotiations with the appropriate officials in London. In 1620 when it came time for the Mayflower departure, Elder Brewster returned to the Leiden congregation. He had been hiding out in Holland and perhaps even England for the last year. The return of Brewster, the highest-ranking layperson of the congregation and their designated spiritual leader in the New World.

Brewster joined the first group of Separatists aboard the Mayflower on the voyage to North America. Brewster was accompanied by his wife, Mary Brewster, and his sons: Love Brewster and Wrestling Brewster.


-- from William Brewster of the Mayflower and His Descendants for Four Generations 
by Barbara Lambert Merrick 
and Mayflower: A story of Courage, Community and War 
by Nathaniel Philbrick




TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  

Monday, October 15, 2012

Wampanoag Elders - Tisquantum


Tisquantum was a native of Patuxet, living at present-day Plymouth; the Patuxet belonged to the Wampanoag confederation of tribes. Nothing is really known about Squanto's early life.  His history picks up in 1614, when Captain John Smith and some of other ships under his command arrive to map Cape Cod and vicinity.  John Smith is perhaps better known for having been rescued by Pocahontas at the Jamestown Colony several years earlier.  After Smith completed his exploration and mapping of the harbors, he departed, leaving behind an associate, Captain Thomas Hunt, to trade with the Indians.  John Smith had hopes of founding a plantation in New England, and so wanted to engage the Indians in trade.

Thomas Hunt, however, had other plans.  Offering to trade beaver, Hunt lured 24 Nauset and Patuxet Indians onboard his ship and took them captive.  John Smith would later write that Master Hunt "most dishonestly, and inhumanely, for their kind usage of me and all our men, carried them with him to Malaga, and there for a little private gain sold those silly salvages for rials of eight".  Sir Ferdinando Gorges, head of the Council for New England, remembered it similarly: "one Hunt (a worthless fellow of our nation) set out by certain merchants for love of gain; who (not content with the commodity he had by the fish, and peaceable trade he found among the savages) after he had made his dispatch, and was ready to set sail, (more savage-like than they) seized upon the poor innocent creatures, that in confidence of his honesty had put themselves into his hands."

Hunt stored the Indians below the hatches, and sailed them to the Straits of Gibraltar, and on to the city of Malaga, Spain, where he sold as many of them as he could.  But when some local Friars in Malaga discovered that they had been brought from America, they took custody of the remaining Indians, and instructed them in the Christian faith.  As Sir Ferdinando Gorges states, the Friars "so disappointed this unworthy fellow of the hopes of gain he conceived to make by this new and devilish project."

The Nauset and Patuxet tribes were outraged by the kidnappings, and became extremely hostile.  English and French ships visiting Plymouth and Cape Cod were no longer welcomed with profitable beaver trade, as an unwitting French captain and crew would discover in 1617, when their ship was burned and almost everyone killed (a few were enslaved) by the Nauset.

But outrage against Europeans would soon become a low priority amongst the Nauset and Patuxet.  In 1618 and 1619, a devastating plague, described variously in historical sources as either tuberculosis or smallpox (and perhaps a combination of both), wiped out the entire village at Patuxet, and many surrounding areas were heavily hit.

One Patuxet did survive, however: Tisquantum.  He had somehow found himself passage from Malaga, Spain into England, where he began living with John Slaney in Cornhill, London, and began picking up the English language.  John Slaney was the treasurer of the Newfoundland Company which had managed to place a colony at Cupper's Cove (Cupids), Newfoundland in 1610; he employed Tisquantum, presumably as an interpreter and as an expert on North American natural resources.  He was sent to Newfoundland, and worked there with Captain John Mason, governor of the Newfoundland Colony. 

While in Newfoundland, Tisquantum encountered a ship's captain by the name of Thomas Dermer, who had worked with Captain John Smith, perhaps even on the 1614 mapping expedition in which Squanto had been originally taken.  Dermer was employed by the New England Company, headed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges; they still had hopes to profit from beaver trade with the Indians of Massachusetts: but this would not be possible as long as hostilities remained.  Thomas Dermer recognized that Tisquantum, who had now been living with Englishmen for a number of years, could act as an interpreter and peacemaker between the English and the still-enraged Indians of Patuxet and Nauset.  He sent a letter off to Sir Ferdinando Gorges expressing the good use Tisquantum could be put to, and Gorges had them come back to England to discuss their plans.

Tisquantum's return home in 1619 was just in time for the Mayflower Pilgrims, who pulled into Provincetown Harbor in November 1620.  The Pilgrims sent out their own exploration parties, and during their third expedition they were attacked in camp early one morning by the Nauset.  Shots were fired and arrows flew heavily, but in the end nobody was injured and the Nauset fled back into the woods.  The Pilgrims continued their expedition around Cape Cod, eventually ending up in the abandoned Patuxet territory, where they decided to settle (the area had been named Plymouth by John Smith on his 1614 mapping expedition).

The Pilgrims lived out of the Mayflower, and ferried back and forth to land to build their storehouses and living houses: they labored all through the winter months of December, January, February, and didn't start moving entirely to shore until March.  And during that entire time, they saw almost no signs of any Indians, aside from a few fires burning in the far distance.  On March 16, they got a surprise: an Indian named Samoset walked right into the Colony and welcomed them in broken English.  Samoset was from an Indian group in Maine, and had picked up a few English words from the fisherman that came into the harbors there.  He informed them there was an Indian, Tisquantum, who had been to England and could speak better English than he could.  Tisquantum made his first appearance on March 22, at which time he brought Massasoit and Quadequina.  The Pilgrims used the opportunity to negotiate a peace treaty and to establish trading relations.






TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Journey to Ancient Greece - Chapter 13





It was later in the afternoon by the time Vinnie and the three children arrived at the Kaiaphas farm to enact Kyla’s plan. Vinnie had put on a clean, white himation linen with red trim to make himself look somewhat more regal and presentable. It was very hot, but he was getting into character. His chin was up and his posture straight as he walked.
As they approached the front gate to the Kaiaphas farm Argo was walking out ahead of Vinnie while Kyla and Zammie walked on either side of Vinnie and a few steps back. Both of the cousins held large palm leaves that they used to fan Vinnie with as if he was the Sultan of Arabia.  They made quite a procession as they approached the watchman at the front gate.
          “What do you want?” asked the watchman.
          “Greetings, sir,” said Argo. “May I introduce to you the Maharaja Garuda. We are here seeking audience with Lord Kaiaphas, owner of this farm.”
          The watchman couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
          “Maha-what?” he asked. “Who are you people?”
          “Just visitors to your wonderful land,” said Argo, “and we are politely requesting the presence of Lord Kaiaphas because we have some items for sale that we believe he will be very interested in seeing.”
          “What kind of items?” asked the watchman.
          “Magic items, sir, magic items, but that is all I am at liberty to say right now. If Lord Kaiaphas has no interest in these items then we will be on our way. But we must hear from the man himself first.”
          “Magic, you say?” asked the watchman. He looked at the small group before him for a moment while trying to make a decision on what to do. “Alright, follow me. I will see if Kaiaphas has any interest in seeing you.”
          “Thank you, sir,” said Argo.
          The watchman led Argo and the rest of his compatriots through the front gate and down the walkway that led towards the main house. The walkway was a dirt road with a length of about one hundred yards before arriving at Kaiaphas’ home. Rows of grape vines and fields of wheat stretched out on either side of the dirt road. It was a beautiful afternoon. The sky was blue and cloudless overhead and there was a cool, salty breeze now coming in off the water that was less than a mile away.
Zammie noticed the dozens of men and women scattered amongst the grape vines. They were working hard picking clusters of grapes and putting them into large baskets. He wondered how many of them had been separated from their family like Argo’s sister.
When they reached the house the watchman turned to the group and said, “Wait here. I will find out if Kaiaphas will see you.” He entered the house leaving the group standing by themselves.
Argo turned to the others and said, “This is working! This was a great idea, Kyla.”   
“Yes, it was a very smart idea,” said Vinnie.
“Thank you,” said Kyla with a big smile.
“We’re alone,” said Zammie. “Why don’t we just explore on our own now?”
“The plan is working perfectly so far,” said Argo. “Let’s follow it through and see where it takes us.”
“I agree,” said Vinnie. “If we run off now they will certainly send guards to find us. Let’s be patient with the plan.”
“What if Kaiaphas has no interest in seeing us?” asked Zammie.
“I don’t know,” said Vinnie with a grin. “But if that happens then I’m sure another option will present itself.”
A moment later the watchman returned from inside the house and said, “Lord Kaiaphas is a very busy man.”
Argo felt his heart skip a beat. Were they being rejected? Now how would they be able to search the farm to look for Kisandra?
The watchman continued, “He has many projects to tend to today, but fortunately for you, he has agreed to give you a few moments of his time.”
Argo exhaled in relief.
“That’s enough. You can return to the gate now,” said a loud, bellowing voice from behind the watchman.  The watchman turned to reveal a large man with long, gray hair stepping out of the house. He wore a white tunic with silver trimming.
“Sir.” The watchman bowed and walked quickly past Argo back towards his post.
“Good boy, that watchman,” said the gray-haired man. “He means well, but he can talk too much sometimes. I was told you had something to sell me. Something with magical properties.”
“You are Kaiaphas?” asked Argo.
“I am,” replied the man.
“Then, yes, we do. On behalf of my master, the Maharaja Garuda, we do have something you will be most interested in,” said Argo.  He stepped back to Vinnie, appeared to say something to him, and Vinnie handed him a small sack. Argo returned to Kaiaphas and held up the leather sack that was tied with a drawstring.
“This, Lord Kaiaphas, is a sack of magic seeds,” said Argo. “If you plant these they will produce a fruit that is not only the sweetest and most nutritious food you will have ever tasted, but it will require virtually no water while still being able to grow year round. With such a fruit you will have plenty not just for your household, but excess to sell in the market. This will lead to great profits for you just as it has for us in our own land.”
Kaiaphas didn’t look convinced. “No water?” he said. “Where are you from, sir?” he asked Vinnie.
“I’m sorry, Lord Kaiaphas, but my master is not from this polis and he does not understand Greek. He is from a kingdom far from here where his subjects have relied on this magic fruit for generations.”
“Magic fruit?” said Kaiaphas. “I find this hard to believe.”
“That’s to be expected, sir. So we will be glad to give you a free sample. If you would allow us to plant just a few of the seeds for you, and when they grow you will see for yourself and be convinced. Then we are confident you will want to purchase a full supply.”
Kaiaphas looked less doubtful now. “A free sample? Sounds fair. You have a deal. Follow me and I will show you where we can plant some of your magic seeds.”
Kaiaphas walked past Argo along another path that stretched deeper amongst the rows of grape vines. “This way, please,” said Kaiaphas.
Argo looked back at his small team with a smile then turned to follow Kaiaphas. Vinnie followed Argo and Zammie and Kyla, still fanning the “Maharaja”, followed Vinnie.
Kaiaphas began to describe to Argo some of the production details of his estate. “Wine and wheat are my primary products, but I also have fig trees and herds of sheep and goats.” He pointed to the large workshop off to the side of the path they were following. “In fact, in that building I have several young maidens weaving and sewing our wool that is sheared from our own sheep. They create some of the best clothing in all of Greece. I’ll have to show you before you leave.”
Argo smiled and played along. “You have many hard-working people here. Where do you find so many laborers?” he asked.
“We find them all over. I’m not sure how the accumulation of laborers takes place where you’re from, but here when one kingdom conquers another kingdom then the victors will take the survivors as workers. Over time Greece has defeated many other kingdoms in battle and the supply of workers and slaves is testament to our military strength. Also, as some of the members of the poorer classes fall into debt, they must sell themselves into slavery to help repay their burdens. I’m sure you are familiar with the process.”
“Yes,” said Argo holding in his emotions. “I am familiar.”
They arrived at a small clearing of pasture land not far from the weavers’ workshop.
“Will this do for your seeds?” asked Kaiaphas.
Argo looked around and pretended to be closely investigating the land.  He knelt down and pulled up some of the dirt and looked at it in his hands. He stood up and walked over to Vinnie and showed him the dirt. Vinnie took some of the dirt while he and Argo exchanged some words in hushed tones. Kaiaphas watched this routine with much curiosity.
Argo turned to Kaiaphas and said, “This will do.”
“Wonderful,” said Kaiaphas. “I will have some of my servants bring you planting tools. Wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Argo watched Kaiaphas walk between two nearby rows of grape vines towards a group of workers who were busy picking fruit. He turned to Vinnie and the cousins and said, “I want to take a quick look in that workshop. I won’t take long.”
Before any of them could say a word Argo was off.
“What’s he doing?” asked Kyla.
“Maybe his sister is in there,” said Vinnie.
“I don’t understand, Vinnie,” said Zammie. “I thought Greece was the birthplace of democracy. Why do they have so many slaves here?”
“Well, democracy for some,” said Vinnie. “Not for all. Only Athens has any real semblance of democracy right now, but even they have slaves. A select class of people is free and they get to vote and participate in political activity, but not everyone. Not women, not the non-citizens, certainly not slaves.”
“But that’s not fair,” said Zammie.
“Don’t judge this place too harshly,” said Vinnie. “It is only the birth of democracy. Not the final product. I’m sure it will take generations of trial and error for people to eventually get it right.”
          Kyla had been watching for Kaiaphas’ return while Zammie and Vinnie were talking. “Argo, better hurry,” she said. “I think Kaiaphas is coming back.”

Argo had moved quickly to the weavers’ workshop and opened the wooden door. He took a step inside the clay brick building and looked around. He saw a series of dozens of wooden weaving machines. Each one was being controlled by a young girl who was hard at work spinning wool.
Argo didn’t recognize anyone, and he was about to leave when he noticed the way one of the girls had tied her scarf around her head. The girl had her back to him, but the way the blue scarf was tied off to the side of her head looked very familiar. He walked between some of the weaving machines and over to the girl, and when he could see her face in profile he nearly jumped for joy.
“Kisandra!” he said.
Kisandra turned to her brother. Her face was flushed and wet with perspiration from working so hard in the hot, dusty building. When she recognized her brother her face beamed with a wide smile. “Argo!” She dropped the weaving shuttle and threw her arms around him. “How did you find me?” she asked.
“I just—“ but Kisandra cut him off before he could finish.
“Are you here to rescue me?”
“Of course! Why else would I be here?”
“But they’ll find you here,” she said. “How can we get out of here?”
Some of the other girls were watching the reunion, but no one dared stop working.
“Come with me now,” said Argo. “I’m here with friends who are helping us.”
“But the guards,” said Kisandra with fear now showing in her eyes as she thought of Isaak.
“That’s why we have to hurry,” said Argo.
“I can’t escape so easily, Argo. They are going to make me marry Kaiaphas’ son.”
“What?”
Kisandra looked at her brother with tears in her eyes. “They are watching me closely every time I leave this building.”
“Argo!”
Argo turned to look at the door where Zammie was looking inside.
“Let’s go! He’s coming back,” said Zammie.
Argo turned back to his sister. “Don’t worry. I will return for you.”
Argo turned to leave when Kisandra grabbed his arm. “Wait! Tomorrow. Kaiaphas’ daughter is taking me into town tomorrow. Look for us in the market square in the morning.”
Argo smiled at his sister. “Yes. We’ll find you tomorrow.” He turned away and quickly ran out of the workshop.
Zammie and Argo arrived back to where Vinnie and Kyla were waiting for them moments before Kaiaphas returned with two of his slave laborers. 
“My friends, I have brought two of my best farmers,” said Kaiaphas. “This is Karos and this is Alex. They will help you plant these seeds.”
          Over the next several minutes Karos, Alex, and Argo tilled up two short rows of dirt and then planted the seeds. They patted down the dirt and watered the seeds. Vinnie overlooked the process while Kyla and Zammie continued to fan him.
          “I’m getting tired,” Kyla whispered to Zammie.
          “Me too. But I think we’re almost done.”
          “Take a break, you two,” said Vinnie.
          The two cousins gratefully put their palm leaves down.
          “That should do it,” said Argo. He turned to Kaiaphas and said, “The water we gave them should be the only water they’ll need. Just give them a couple days and you’ll begin to see the sprouts.”
          “I’m hoping this works as well as you claim. I hope you haven’t wasted my time,” said Kaiaphas.
          “Trust us,” said Argo. “We’ll be back in a month to check on these here. At that time we can discuss prices if you wish.”
          Kaiaphas gave a slight bow before Vinnie. “A month it is. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again.”
          Argo couldn’t get off of that farm fast enough. He calmly led Vinnie and the two cousins out of the front gate and back towards the boat docks. When they arrived back at their boat, and they knew no one from Kaiaphas’ estate was following them, Argo turned to his team and said, “I saw her! I saw Kisandra in the workshop!”
          “Really?” asked Kyla with a big smile. “What did you say to her?”
          “She said she’ll be in town tomorrow morning with Kaiaphas’ daughter. We need a plan to help her escape.”
          “I have an idea!” exclaimed Kyla.
          “Again?” asked Zammie.
          “Are you surprised?” asked Kyla.
          “Well,” said Zammie with a grin, “you are my cousin, so I guess I shouldn’t be.”
          “What’s your idea?” asked Argo.
          “Let’s eat first,” said Vinnie. “This planning will require good thought and good nourishment.”









TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
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