Logs of Earl Bristol Goddard Published
The following manuscript was found deep within the subterranean UMass, in a basement at Herter Hall. Its origins are unknown, and no such person as Mr. Goddard is known to have been affiliated with the university or existed at all.
Log of Earl Bristol Goddard, November 12, 1711
This is truly a land of savages. The weather seems to shift erratically with no rhyme or reason. Not ten minutes into my expedition and we, disembarking from our vessel, experienced a colossal downpour. Yet in another ten minutes, the sky has become clear as a summer day. Does the crown really believe this blasted place to be ideal for a settlement? Absurd! Nonetheless, we must press on. It is our duty.
We have traveled quite far inland by now. Nothing remarkable, save for several colossal moose. The sky is getting dark. We may come under attack by natives at any moment, and though we have brought enough firearms to repel them, it would be quite a nuisance. Arnold seems quite enthusiastic about the prospect of ‘making examples’ of some of them, but I put his hopes to rest for the moment. We will continue inland tomorrow at dawn.
Log of Earl Bristol Goddard, November 13, 1711
We were rudely awoken by Mills screaming that he had glimpsed a ‘beast’ observing us from the trees, and it vanished when he turned away. He claims this ‘beast’ stood upright and wore what seemed like a mockery of our attire, all in red and white. Its head was elongated and its teeth were massive. I administered some ale to him, and it seemed to remove this silly image from his head. Arnold seems to think it is some of the native peoples trying to make a fool of us, despite the fact that we have not encountered a single one, much less a settlement, thus far. We cannot waste time on these flights of fancy.
I am noticing an abundance of squirrels as we travel further inland. It surprises me that this area seems not be marked on our maps. It is quite spacious and contains many delectable species of plant. Mills has begun collecting some samples and preparing them for travel. Already the weather has changed, and now the winds blow with astonishing force. The winds have forced our company to take shelter in a nearby cave.
Log of Earl Bristol Goddard, November 14, 1711
We lost Arnold today. As we passed by a small lake filled with geese, the wind picked up suddenly and he was blown into it. The geese devoured him before Mills or I could throw him a line. As odd and cruel as it may sound, it seemed quite deliberately malicious.
There is a strange odor that has been following us. It smells like some kind of fruity confection, and appears as a cloud of vapor. Mills theorizes it may be produced by a local plant to attract pollinators, but it smells far too obnoxious in my opinion. This expedition is no doubt driving me mad. Out of the corner of my eye, as we were refilling our canteens at a stream, I caught a glimpse of Mill’s “beast”. It was standing several yards away as it saluted me and gave me a frighteningly toothy grin. It began walking towards me. I have never felt such terror in my heart as I realized that it, in fact, did not have human skin at all. Instead, it seemed to be some kind of artificial construct. It quickly retreated.
I will try to get some rest tonight, but I doubt it will come in a timely manner. In my dreams, I will see it, and out of my dreams, it will see me.
Log of Earl Bristol Goddard, November 15, 1711
It is over. Our expedition has concluded, I fear. Not by our choice, but by the will of the land.
Shortly after awakening, Mills and I became enveloped in a thick fog, and I lost him. I have been calling out his name for hours, but I get no response. I do, however, hear voices. These voices sound European, and they shout about a “jewel”. Perhaps this jewel is the source of the fog? I would ask, but I have not been able to locate the source of the voices. This mysterious gas seems to have made the squirrels and other life disperse. The further I travel, the more unfamiliar the surroundings become. I have no more bearing of time or distance.
I shall rest by a rock now, for a few minutes. I feel myself becoming faded already, likely due to the gas. If you have found this journal, I am most likely dead. Dear God, I did my duty, for Queen and country.
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