Omar Gonzalez
English Honors III
Period 6
11/23/05

Massachusetts Bay
February 3, 1648


I am terrified. I do not know where I am! I can not speak their language nor communicate with them in any way! We were sailing towards Massachusetts, when we were struck by a storm and our ship wrecked just off the coast. Luckily we were at a close distance to these shores. I was not too sure if I would make it but some wood or piece of the ship was drifting in the water so I grabbed on to it praying it would bring me to shore. Once I arrived on shore I was captured by the heathens. I now sit daily in a hut as a prisoner.
I can not be too far from the village of where my future home is to be. What will happen to Hester? She is my life and I am hers. How will she survive in this new world without me? I have to find a way out! I need to get out of here!
Two of the heathens came in a little while ago. They talked to each other and looked at me, and then walked over to me. One of them got so close to my face I could feel his breath. He was speaking in a very strange and broken language, but I could not understand him. After trying to communicate with me for a couple of minutes they both left.
They are a lot smarter than one would perceive. Well I must try and get some rest my single friend.










































Massachusetts Bay February 10, 1648

Thus far I am more of a visitor in a foreign country than a prisoner. They have begun to let me out of my prisoner’s hut on a regular basis. I am actually allowed out as I please. I am free to walk around their grounds and explore, but I am not allowed to leave their grounds, unless I am escorted by one of their men. Their ground is approximately 5 ships in length and 6 ships in width.
When I walk around the village the heathens seem to be scared but at the same time curious about me. Just the other day as I was walking to the river with 2 of their warriors a little one came to me running. I stopped and bend down to examine him. He started poking at me and my face. He grabbed my whole face and was just feeling me, a new kind of person of which he had never seen.
As he was examining me I was also examining him. I noticed he had scars from when he had the measles. It is always the young ones that can not control their itching. I wondered how he had contracted it. Had they been in contact with some other English men? Was there a near by settlement somewhere?
I can not Keep Hester off of my mind. There is not a day that goes by when I do not think of her. I find myself rolling around at night tossing and turning because I can not stop thinking about her. Hester I love you and I will find my way back to thee! I promise this to you.
Massachusetts Bay
February 23, 1648

It gets harder and harder to keep track of the day. I have been putting hash marks in the back of this journal, but at times it gets to confusing. I have been here 20 days now. Although I have actually lost track of which day of the week this is.
As the days go by I am developing a relationship with the heathens. I have come to somewhat clear understanding that the one who captured me is called “Reesh-ta-Kee.” Now I am unsure on how that is spelled but that is how it is pronounced. It means “Watcher of the night.” I am trying to learn their language but it is very challenging. When we try to communicate we make a lot of hand gestures to figure out what each of us is trying to say.
I try daily to avoid the thought but I can not forget about Hester. She must be terrified for she has no one to take care of her. She left all her family in England to come and start a family with me. They must have heard about the ship wreck and she must be thought to be a widow. I believe it has been over a month since I last saw the face of my young beautiful Hester. Oh how I miss her! I long to be wrapped in her arms and have her wrapped in mine. The heathens seem like they would let me go and find her because of their extreme kindness, but I am afraid that I am still a prisoner. They have made sure that I know this.



Massachusetts Bay
March 4, 1648

Yesterday we had an old villager come back. His name is “Big Bear.” This is by far the best thing that could ever happen.
I was up to my usual walk around the edge of the camp when I saw an unrecognizable man coming towards the village. I ran to tell “Sween-cha-Ko”, the chief whose name means chief, about the man. He walked over with me to the gates and then began to laugh and smile. I could see the man more clearly now for he was only a few paces away. He too was smiling.
About a year ago “Chi-Swan”, the young man, left with an Englishman to be taught all the things of the English world. He speaks very good English, yet he struggles with some words. He has been talking to me about his life and the ways of the heathens. He is only here for a few days because he has to go back to the village. I asked him where the village is but it is north from these grounds. He has also told me that the village where I was supposed to be at is further south. He heard about the wreck in his village. Surely Hester must believe that I am dead.
“Chi-Swan” has explained to me my situation. I am in fact a prisoner. I have to be released by “Sween-cha-Ko.” I am held for two years than I am released.