第21章 The First Year in Georgia(8)
Other merchants sought their patronage, but they decided to run an account at one place only, and thought Mr.Causton, as the Trustees' agent, would give them the most liberal treatment.Their hardest time financially, as well as regarding health, was during the summer, when credit came to be accorded grudgingly, and finally Spangenberg, personally, borrowed 15 Pounds sterling, and applied it on their account, which restored their standing in Mr.Causton's eyes.On Feb.8th, 1736, they decided to buy enough corn, rice and salt-meat to last until harvest, having learned by sad experience how very dear these necessities were later in the year.Very little work had been done which brought in ready money, for their time had been fully occupied in building their house and clearing the land, but all things were prepared for the coming of the second company, with whose assistance they expected to accomplish much.
In February the two carpenters were engaged to build a house for Mr.Wagner, a Swiss gentleman who had recently arrived, and rented one of the Moravian cabins temporarily, and this was the beginning of a considerable degree of activity.
The intercourse of the Moravians with the other residents of Savannah was much impeded by their ignorance of the English language, and it occurred to Spangenberg that it might be a good thing to take an English boy, have him bound to them according to custom, and let them learn English by having to speak to him.
About July a case came to his knowledge that roused all his sympathies, and at the same time afforded a good opportunity to try his plan.
"I have taken a four-year-old English boy into our family.
He was born in Charlestown, but somehow found his way to Savannah.
His father was hanged, for murder I have heard, and his mother has married another man, and abandoned the child.A woman here took charge of him, but treated him most cruelly.Once she became angry with him, took a firebrand, and beat him until half his body was burned;another time she bound him, and then slashed him with a knife across the back, and might have injured him still more if a man had not come by and rescued him.The magistrates then gave him to other people, but they did not take care of him, and hearing that he was a bright child, I decided to offer to take him.The Magistrates gladly agreed, and will write to his relatives in Charlestown, and if they do not claim him he will be bound to us.He is already proving useful to the Brethren, as he speaks English to them, and they are rapidly learning to speak and to understand.I am sending him to an English school, as I would rather he would not learn German, but being bright he is learning a good deal of it from the Brethren."On October 31st a widow and her seven-year-old son were received into their household.The woman was in destitute circumstances, and anxious to work, so after four weeks' trial she was installed as maid, and promised $14.00 a year wages.She proved to be quiet and industrious, but not very bright.On Dec.17th another boy, six years old, was taken, his mother being dead, and his father a day-laborer who could not care for him.
Of the Indians the Moravians had seen a good deal, but no start had been made toward teaching them, except that some of their words had been learned.
Spangenberg decided that the only way to master their language would be to go and live among them, and this Rose professed himself willing to do as soon as he could be spared.With Tomochichi they were much pleased.