The time was short, and there was much to do.Dr. Crider had to sell his house. There were things They wanted to buy. He made a list.
"We need sea chests," he said. "One for my medication two for our clothes."
"Jemmy and Meg and I_ We won't need chests," said Amanda." We've no clothes besides what we are wearing."
"This will change," said Dr.Crider.
He took them to a street of shops. There they bought dresses and petticoats, breeches and shirts, shoes and stockings.
"If I had cloth, I could sew for us all," said Amanda.
So they looked at cloth and bought some. She turned away from the stripes and flowers that were so beautiful. She chose plain browns and greens.
And one day, in the dark of the morning, they were on their way. A coach took them along the river to where a boat was waiting. They went aboard. It was an old tub of a boat, small and crowded with people.
"Are we going to America🇺🇸 on this?" asked Jemmy.
"No, child," said Dr.Crider."This is only a packet."he told them"A packet, is a boat that carried people and mail along the coast. This will take us to the South west of England🇬🇧. That is where Plymouth is, and Plymouth is where the ships are."
The packet was slow. It was the evening of the fifth day before they came to to the town of Plymouth. Ships, large and small, filled the harbor. They stayed at an inn that night. When Amanda woke the next morning, Meg was sleeping beside her. Jemmy was up and leaning out the window. Dr. Crider was gone.
"Come and look," said Jemmy."You never saw many ships. And little boats are going out to them and coming back again. I think they're loading things on the ships. Come and see, Amanda. Meg, come and see!"
All three were at the window when Dr. Crider came in.
"News, wonderful news!" he said."Our ship is the SEA ADVENTURE. We're sailing with the admiral!"
They were quiet looking at him.
"You don't know what that means , do you?" he asked
"No, sir."
"I'll tell you what it means. There are nine ships sailings to Virginia. Each one has a captain. But on our Voyage. one man is admiral the master of all captain he is called Sir George Somers.
Another day, Another night, and the ships were ready. They were loaded with food and water. Everyone bound for America on board. At Sunrise on the gray morning, the Sea Adventure set sail. The other ships swung slowly into line behind her.
Dr. Crider stood on the main deck. Amanda, Jemmy, and Meg stood near him. People on board were weeping as they waved to people on shore.
"Why are they crying?" asked Jemmy.
"Sometimes it's sad to say goodbye," said Amanda.
" I'm glad to be going," said Jemmy."Aren't you glad?"
She was looking out to sea at the clouds and mist that hid the sky. He pulled at her sleeve."Aren't you glad, Amanda?"
"Yes,"she said. "I'm glad."