As the Margaretha sailed closer to the coast of Texas seagulls flew about
overhead. Mina marveled at the way they seemed to float almost motionless above her.
She loved the seagulls' cries, for it meant land was near.
Mama came on deck and stood beside Mina. She had a ship's biscuit to feed the gulls.
"Here, Mina." Mama broke the biscuit and gave Mina half. Then Mama held
out a piece of biscuit for the gulls as high as she could reach. Mina threw pieces
into the water, and watched as the gulls swooped down to get the bread.
At last a brave gull flew down close to them, and hov ered a few minutes. Mama was
very still. The gull swooped down and took the biscuit from Mama's fingers.
"Oh, Mama! He flew so close."
"Ja, Mina, I wish I could fly like the gulls-so graceful in the wind, so free. I would fly right up to the heavens." Mama looked longingly upward, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Mama and Mina had been busy washing and packing clothes, getting ready for arrival
in Galveston. It was the end of November when Galveston was sighted early in the
morning. Passengers crowded on deck to watch as the Margaretha came closer
and closer to the flat coastal island.
"Galveston is only a village." Mina pointed toward the island. "I
thought it was the biggest city in Texas."
"That it is, Mina, but Texas is young, and Galveston is only eight years old.
Give it a little time to grow, like a child." Papa patted Mina on the shoulder.
"How long will we stay in Galveston, Papa?"
"Not long, for we will take another boat along the coast to Indian Point."
Sailors scurried here and there preparing the Margaretha to anchor just outside
the harbor. Captain Libben gave the order to the First Mate who shouted, "Let
out the sails." And then, "Drop anchor." The sails flapped loosely
in the wind until sailors climbed the rigging and began to furl them. The anchor
went clanking down, down into the sea. The Margaretha rocked gently on the
waves.
"Are we going to stop out here in the ocean, Ernst?" asked Mama.
"Ja, Minchen, Captain Libben said the harbor is not deep enough for large
ships."
Some flat barges came out of the harbor rowing toward the Margaretha. "Well, now we must bring our boxes on deck so we can be lightered ashore."
Down below everyone was busy moving boxes.
Anna appeared at the Jordans' compartment. "Can you believe we are here, Mina,
after so long?"
"Oh, Anna, I can hardly wait. Just think, we shall soon step onto Texas!"
The two girls joined hands and danced around in a circle amid the pushing and sliding
of boxes.
Then stopping, Anna looked at Mina closely with a worried expression. "What
do you think it will be like?"
"Well . . . it will be solid, that is one thing for sure."
"I mean, do you think there will be any of those Indians?" Her eyes were
big.
"Oh, Anna, I do believe if you ever see an Indian you will faint away like some
fine lady."
"I will not. You think you are so brave, Mina. I wonder what you
will do if an Indian comes?"
"Why, I will just throw my arms around him and give him a big hug, Anna."
Mina tossed her braids, and looked at Anna. As soon as she said those words and saw
the hurt expression on Anna's face, she was sorry she said them. Words tumbled out
of her mouth before she had a chance to think them over. But Anna could be so fearful,
so timid sometimes that it made Mina impatient with her.
"Come, Mina, we need your help," Mama called after she and Papa had closed
the last box. Mina and Mama took one handle while Papa carried the other end of the
heavy box up the ladder.
They set the box on deck which was now crowded with boxes and belongings. Mama was
out of breath, and sat down for a moment to rest. Sailors were bringing boxes that
had been stored in the hold. The wide flat barges had reached the side of the Margaretha. Mina looked down at them clustered about, waiting to carry passengers and cargo into the harbor. Steep
wooden steps had been lowered to one of the barges, and the first passengers began
to leave the Margaretha carrying their belongings, the men lowering heavy
boxes.
Soon it was the Jordans' turn to leave. Mina took one last look at the Margaretha's
deck, and waved goodbye to Captain Libben.
"So long, Miss, and good luck in your new home." The Captain touched the
bill of his cap in salute.
"Goodbye, Captain Libben. Thank you for a safe voyage." Mina started down
the steps. She held Johanna tightly in the crook of her arm.
The barge tipped as it was loaded, and the boatman warned them, "Sit down quickly,
folks, and do not move about, or we shall have to swim to Galveston." Mina sat,
and looked up at the ship's rail, now high above her. Anna appeared at the rail.
"I will see you in Galveston," Mina called, waving. She wished she had
not been so mean to Anna.
As they rowed into the harbor Mina could hardly sit still. The water was quieter
inside the harbor. Long piers reached out from land, and they tied up at one of these,
and began to unload.
Mina stepped out of the barge and onto the pier. How strange! When she stood on the pier it seemed to be rocking back and forth like a ship. She ran to Papa who had just gotten their boxes out of the barge.
"Papa, I am still swaying."
Papa laughed. "I, too, Mina."
"Oh, my!" Mama was holding onto Papa's arm. "I feel I am still rocking
on the waves."
A man who had been standing on the pier walked over to Papa. "Welcome to Texas.
I am D. H. Klaener, agent for the Adelsverein, or simply the Verein
as we call it here."
"How do you do?" Papa reached out his hand, and they shook.
The agent greeted others as they stepped onto the pier.
"Well, now that you are all here, we must see to moving these boxes. The Verein
has rented quarters for you to stay here a few days until the steamer leaves for
Indi an Point." Herr Klaener turned and looked about him. "So, if
you men will come with me, we will get some wheelbarrows." He started walking
along the pier toward land.
"Let me go, too, Papa," begged Mina, dancing about.
"Very well." Papa turned to Mama. "We shall return soon, Minchen."
"All right, Ernst." Mama sat down. "I will stay here and watch the
boxes."
Mina and Papa walked the long pier over marshy land into Galveston. Mina skipped
along holding Papa's hand.
The broad sandy street was crowded with people. Mina heard Americans speaking English.
It sounded strange, and she could not understand a word. All the buildings were made of wood. There were no stone buildings like those back in Germany. Up ahead on the left was a two-story wooden building with porch galleries all around. It was the Hotel Meyer.
The Verein had rented several vacant buildings. Though not as comfortable
looking as the Hotel Meyer, they were at least shelter. Several families had to crowd
into each room, and cooking had to be done outside.
After moving the boxes, and settling into one of the rooms with the Kaufmann family,
Papa and Mina went to a store they had seen on the main street-Kretzer and Maerz,
Dealers in Hardware.
Inside, the storekeeper greeted them in German, "Guten Tag."
"Guten Tag." Papa nodded his head. "We are on our way to Indian
Point and the German colony in a few days, and I am looking at tools."
"Well, if you are going inland, I would advise you to purchase a gun."
Mina looked up at Papa. "What do we need a gun for, Papa?"
"Well, Fräulein, your Papa can use it to hunt, and to protect the
family from Indians." Then, lowering his voice, he spoke some words to Papa
that Mina overheard. "You know, two German settlers were killed and scalped
last month near Austin."
Scalped! The word sent a shot of terror through Mina. She imagined herself walking
through the woods when suddenly from behind a tree jumped an Indian. His white eyeballs
glowed fiercely in his dark face. His arm was raised, and in his hand was a tomahawk.
Mina shivered. She did not know what she would do if she ever saw an Indian.
Papa went over to the rack of guns hung on the back wall. "What kind of gun would you suggest? I have no experience with firearms."
"Then a shotgun would be best for you, because it does not require such careful
aim." The shopkeeper took down a double barreled shotgun and showed it to Papa.
Papa looked at the gun carefully, turning it this way and that. Then he handed it
back to the shopkeeper. "Very well, I will come back tomorrow."
When they returned to the Adelsverein house Mama and Frau Kaufmann
were cooking over an open fire.
"Mama, we are going to buy a gun to protect us from Indians! "
Mama looked at Papa with a question in her eyes.
"It will be a good idea, Minchen. After all, this is the frontier. We may never
see an unfriendly Indian, but in case we do . . ."
"Oh, Ernst, I do not like guns."
"Nor do I, Minchen."
"But, Ernst, our land is not in Indian territory, is it?" "Surely
not," Papa answered. "I will probably never need the gun for protection,
but just in case."
It was the "just in case" that sent a shiver through Mina.
That evening the Jordans and Kaufmanns sat around on boxes in their small room to
eat dinner. Mina folded her hands in her lap, and bowed her head as Papa began his
blessing of the food.
Amen.
We thank Thee
For a safe voyage
And this good food.
Bless our new land.
And all those who
Come here with hope
In their hearts
For a new life.
