The Mayflower | Cutthroats | 4
American History Tellers
Wondery
4.7 • 18.3K Ratings
🗓️ 26 November 2025
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In May 1622, the Pilgrims were still reeling from Squanto’s betrayal when a ship appeared in Plymouth Harbor, carrying an advance party for a rival English colony. Governor William Bradford reluctantly agreed to host the men while they searched for a site to settle. But the newcomers strained Plymouth’s limited food supplies, pushing the hungry colony to the brink of starvation. As the new arrivals began antagonizing their Indian neighbors, word spread of a plot to destroy the English. The Pilgrims’ violent response to the crisis would change New England forever.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, history buffs, if you can't get enough of the captivating stories we uncover on American |
| 0:04.7 | history tellers, you'll love the exclusive experience of Wondry Plus. |
| 0:08.4 | Dive even deeper into the past with ad-free episodes, early access to new seasons, and |
| 0:13.0 | bonus content that brings history to life like never before. |
| 0:16.2 | Join Wondery Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcast and embark on an unparalleled journey through America's most pivotal moments. |
| 0:37.1 | Imagine it's a sweltering August day in 1622 in Plymouth Colony. |
| 0:42.6 | Sweat beads down your neck as you wrestle a dull saw back and forth across a thick pine log. |
| 0:48.2 | You and your neighbors are preparing timber for a new fort you're building on one of the hills overlooking the town. |
| 0:53.9 | But it's slow going. Your saw keeps getting wedged in the log. |
| 0:57.9 | And as you throw your weight against it to loosen the blade, a shadow falls over you. |
| 1:02.4 | You look over your shoulder and find Governor William Bradford inspecting your work. |
| 1:06.7 | Is that all you've managed? I thought you'd be further along by now. |
| 1:10.2 | You let go of the saw and rub your sore hands.' |
| 1:12.9 | "'Well, maybe I would have if I had a full belly. "'Hardly had anything to eat all day. "'Tell me, Governor, when are you going to increase our rations?' "'Well, nothing's changed, so we'll stay on half rations, at least for now. But I have faith that the Lord in His infinite mercy will bless us with a bountiful harvest this autumn. |
| 1:28.9 | But what if he doesn't? |
| 1:30.1 | Why must we spend every hour building... for now. But I have faith that the Lord in His Infinite Mercy will bless us with a bountable harvest this autumn. |
| 1:28.9 | But what if he doesn't? Why must we spend every hour building this fort? Wouldn't our time be |
| 1:33.2 | better spent working in the fields? Hunting? Gathering food? The newcomers have eaten up our stockpiles. |
| 1:38.9 | I know that you are working hard on little food, but we need this fort to keep our settlements |
| 1:43.3 | safe from Indian war parties, |
| 1:45.0 | because you mark my words, the mere presence of a well-defended fort will be enough to discourage any warrior from setting foot in Plymouth. |
| 1:52.0 | But are you so sure we're in danger? What if all these rumors about an Indian plot against us are nothing but talk? |
... |
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