A Lion to Guard Us

In preparation for the voyage, Dr. Crider buys supplies and clothes for the children. They also buy some cloth so Amanda can sew for them, but she chooses plain colors instead of bright, patterned fabric.

At first, they board a packet from London to Plymouth, a boat that carries mail and people along the coastline. The packet travels slowly, and they arrive at Plymouth on the fifth day. In Plymouth, they stay in an inn where the children can look out and see all the ships coming and going. Dr. Crider tells them the ship they will be sailing on is the Sea Adventure, which is commanded by Admiral Sir George Somers.

At sunrise on June 2, they set sail for America. As they stand on the deck of the ship, passengers cry and wave to people on shore. Jemmy asks Amanda why the people are crying, and she responds that it can be hard to say goodbye. Jemmy asks if she’s glad to be leaving, and Amanda pauses before saying yes.

Amanda explains to Jemmy that while they can go up on deck, they have to live in the hold, below the deck. More than 150 other people are living in the hold with them, packed tightly together “like salt fish in a barrel” (55).