 Section 44 of A Book of American Explorers. This is a LibriVox recording. A LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Dionne Giants, Salt Lake City, Utah. A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book 9, Part 5, Search for the Lost Colony. It was three years before Governor White returned to the colony, which he had left. He reached the coast of Virginia in August 1590, and thus describes what followed. Our boats and all things fitted again. We put off from Hatterisk, being the number of nineteen persons in both boats. But before we could get to the place where our planters were left, it was so exceeding dark that we overshot the place a quarter of a mile. There we aspired towards the north end of the island, the light of a great fire through the woods, to the which we presently rode. When we came right over against it, we let fall our grapnel near the shore, and sounded with a trumpet a call, and afterward many English tunes of songs, and called to them friendly. But we had no answer. We therefore landed at daybreak, and coming to the fire, we found the grass and sundry rotten trees burning about the place. From hence we went through the woods to that part of the island, directly over against Dasamangapak, and from thence we returned by the waterside round about the north point of the island, until we came to the place where I left our colony in the year 1586. In all this way we saw in the sand the print of the savages feet of two or three sorts trodden in the night, and as we entered up the sandy bank upon a tree in the very brow thereof were curiously carved these fair Roman letters C-R-O, which letters presently we knew to signify the place where I should find the planters seated, according to a secret token agreed upon between them and me at my last departure from them, which was that in any ways they should not fail to write or carve upon the trees or posts of the doors the name of the place where they should be seated, for at my coming away they were prepared to remove from Roanoke fifty miles into the main, therefore at my departure from them in 1587 I willed them that if they should happen to be distressed in any of those places then they should carve over the letters or name across in this form, but we found no such sign of distress, and having well considered of this we passed toward the place where they were left in sundry houses, but we found the houses taken down and the place very strongly enclosed with a high palisade of great trees with curtains and flankers very fort-like, and one of the chief trees or posts at the right side of the entrance had the bark taken off, and five feet from the ground in fair capital letters was graven croatoan without any cross or sign of distress, this done we entered into the palisade where we found many bars of iron, two pigs of lead, four iron fowlers, iron saker shot, and such like heavy things thrown here and there almost overgrown with grasses and weeds, from thence we went along by the waterside toward the point of the creek to see if we could find any of their boats or pinnests, but we could perceive no sign of them nor any of the last falcons and small ordinance which were left with them at my departure from them. At our return from the creek some of our sailors meeting us told us they had found where diverse chests had been hidden and long since digged up again and broken up and much of the goods in them spoiled and scattered about, but nothing left of such things as the savages knew any use of under-faced. Presently Captain Cook and I went to the place which was in the end of an old trench made two years past by Captain Amidus where we found five chests that had been carefully hidden of the planters and of the same chests three were my own and about the place many of my things spoiled and broken and my books torn from the covers, the frames of some of my pictures and maps rotten and spoiled with rain and my armor almost eaten through with rust. This could be no other but the deed of the savages or enemies at Dossamangapak who had watched the departure of our men to Croatoan and as soon as they were departed digged up every place where they suspected anything to be buried, but although it much grieved me to see such spoil of my goods yet on the other side I greatly enjoyed that I had safely found a certain token of their safe being at Croatoan which is the place where Manteo was born and the savages of the island are friends. The next morning it was agreed by the captain and myself with the master and others to weigh anchor and go for the place at Croatoan where our planters were for that then the wind was good for that place and also to leave that cask with fresh water on shore in the island until our return. So then they brought the cable to the captain but when the anchor was almost a peak the cable broke by means whereof we lost another anchor wherewith we drove so fast into the shore that we were forced to let fall a third anchor which came so fast home that the ship was almost aground by Kenrick's mounts so that we were forced to let slip the cable end for end. Being thus clear of some dangers and gotten into deeper water but not without some loss for we had but one cable and anchor left us of four and the weather grew to be fowler and fowler our victual scarce and our cask and fresh water lost it was therefore determined that we should go for St. John or some other island to the southward for fresh water. No trace of this lost colony has ever been discovered and we can only guess at the fate of the first white child born in America Virginia Dare. Straykey the secretary of the Jamestown Virginia colony 20 years after was told by the Indians that seven of the English who escaped the slaughter at Roanoke were preserved alive by a certain chief but neither he nor Captain John Smith has left on record anything more. End of section 44 section 45 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording a LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Dion Giants Southlake City Utah a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 10 unsuccessful New England settlements 1602 to 1607 part one Gosnell's fort at Cuddehunk the narrative of Captain Gosnell's adventures is taken from John Brereton's brief and true relation of the discovery of the north part of Virginia being a most pleasant fruitful and commodious soil reprinted in the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society third series volume eight pages 85 to 93. Weymouth's narrative is taken from a true relation of the most prosperous voyage made this present year 1605 by Captain George Weymouth in the discovery of the land of Virginia where he discovered 60 miles up a most excellent river together with a most fertile land written by James Rossier a gentleman employed in the voyage reprinted in the same volume of the Massachusetts Historical Collections pages 135 to 156 the other two narratives are from Strayke's history of travail into Virginia reprinted by the Hackluit Society 1849 pages 171 to 173 and 176 to 180 unsuccessful settlements in New England one Gosnell's fort at Cuddehunk Gosnell was the first Englishman who attempted to found a colony in New England and this account of his attempt is by his companion John Brereton to the honorable Sir Walter Raleigh Knight honorable sir being earnestly requested by a dear friend to put down in writing some true relation of our late performed voyage to the north parts of Virginia at length I resolved to satisfy his request may it please your lordship therefore to understand that upon the five and twentieth of March 1602 being Friday we went from Falmouth being in all two and 30 persons in a small bark of Dartmouth called the Concord holding a course for the north part of Virginia on Friday the 14th of May early in the morning we made the land being full of fair trees the land somewhat low certain hammocks or hills lying into the land the shore full of white sand but very stony or rocky and standing fair along by the shore about 12 o'clock the same day we came to an anchor where eight Indians in a basket shallop with mast and sail and iron grapple and a kettle of copper came boldly aboard us one of them appareled with a waistcoat and breaches of black surge made after our seafashion hose and shoes on his feet all the rest saving one that had a pair of breaches of blue cloth were naked these people are of tall stature broad and grim visage of a black sword complexion their eyebrows painted white their weapons are bows and arrows it seemed by some words and signs they made that some basks or of st. John Deleuze have fished or traded in this place being in the latitude of 43 degrees but riding here in no very good harbor and with all doubting the weather about three of the clock the same day in the afternoon we weighed and standing southerly off into sea the rest of that day and the following night with a fresh gale of wind in the morning we found ourselves embayed with a mighty headland but coming to an anchor about nine of the clock the same day within a league of the shore we hoisted out the one half of our shallop and captain Bartholomew Gosnold myself and three others went ashore being a white sandy and bold shore and marching all that afternoon with our muskets on our necks on the highest hills which we saw the weather very hot at length we perceived this headland to be parcel of the main and sundry islands lying almost round about it so returning towards evening to our shallop for by that time the other part was brought ashore and set together we aspired an indian a young man of proper stature and of a pleasing countenance and after some familiarity with him we left him at the seaside and returned to our ship where in five or six hours absence we had pestered our ship so with codfish that we threw numbers of them overboard again and surely i am persuaded that in the months of march april and may there is upon this coast better fishing and in as great plenty as in newfoundland for the skulls of mackerel herrings cod and other fish that we daily saw as we went and came from the shore were wonderful and besides the places where we took these cods and might in a few days have laden our ship were about in seven fathoms water and within less than a league from the shore where in newfoundland they fish in 40 or 50 fathoms water and far off from this place we sailed round about this headland almost all the points of the compass the shore very bold but as no coast is free from dangers so i am persuaded this is as free as any the land somewhat low full of goodly woods but in some places plain at length we were come amongst many fair islands which we had partly discerned at our first landing all lying within a league or two one of another and the outermost not above five or seven leagues from the main but coming to an anchor under one of them which was about three or four leagues from the main captain gosnold myself and some others went ashore and going round about it we found it to be four english miles in compass without house or inhabitant saving a little old house made of boughs covered with bark an old piece of a weir of the indians to catch fish and one or two places where they had made fires the chiefest trees of this island are beaches and cedars the outward parts all overgrown with low bushy trees three or four feet in height which bear some kind of fruits as appeared by their blossoms strawberries red and white as sweet and much bigger than ours in england raspberries gooseberries hortleberries and such an incredible store of vines as well in the woody part of the island where they run upon every tree as on the outward parts so that we could not go for treading upon them also many springs of excellent sweet water and a great standing lake of fresh water near the seaside an english mile in compass which is maintained with the springs running exceedingly pleasantly through the woody grounds which are very rocky here are also in this island great store of deer which we saw and other beasts as appeared by their tracks as also diverse fowls as cranes heronshaws bitterns geese mallards teals and other fowl in great plenty also great store of peas which grow in certain plots all the island over on the north side of this island we found many huge bones and ribs of whales from hence we went to another island to the northwest of this and within a league or two of the main which we found to be greater than before we imagined being 16 english miles at least in compass for it contained of many pieces or necks of land which differ nothing from several islands saving that certain banks of small breadth do like bridges join them to this island on the outside of this island are many plain places of grass abundance of strawberries and other berries before mentioned in mid-may we did so in this island for a trial in sundry places wheat barley oats and peas which in 14 days were sprung up nine inches and more the soil is fat and lusty the upper crust of gray color but a foot or less in depth of the color of our hemp lands in england and being thus apt for these and the like grains the sowing or setting after the ground is closed is no greater labor than if you should set or so in one of our best prepared gardens in england this island is full of high timbered oaks their leaves thrice so broad as ours cedars straight and tall beach elm holly walnut trees in abundance the fruit as big as ours as appeared by those we found under the trees which had lain all the year and gathered hazelnuts cherry trees the leaf bark and bigness not differing from ours in england but the stock beareth the blossoms or fruit at the end thereof like a cluster of grapes 40 or 50 in a bunch sassafras trees great plenty all the island over a tree of high price and profit also diverse other fruit trees some of them with strange barks of an orange color in feeling soft and smooth like velvet in the thickest parts of these woods you may see a furlong or more roundabout on the northwest side of this island near to the seaside is a standing lake of fresh water almost three english miles encompass in the mist whereof stands a plot of woody ground an acre in quantity or not above this lake is full of small tortoises and exceedingly frequented with all sorts of fells before rehearsed which breed some low on the banks and others on low trees about this lake in great abundance whose young ones of all sorts we took and ate at our pleasure but all these fells are much bigger than ours in england also in every island and almost in every part of every island our great store of ground nuts 40 together on a string some of them as big as hen's eggs they grow not two inches underground the which nuts we found to be good as potatoes also diverse sorts of shellfish as scallops mussels cockles lobsters crabs oysters and welks exceedingly good and very great now the next day we determined to fortify ourselves in a little plot of ground in the mists of the lake above mentioned where we built our house and covered it with sedge which grew about this lake in great abundance in building whereof we spent three weeks and more but the second day after our coming from the main we aspired eleven canoes or boats with fifty indians in them coming toward us from this part of the main where we two days before landed and being loath they should discover our fortification we went out on the seaside to meet them and coming somewhat near them they all sat down upon the stones calling aloud to us as we rightly guessed to do the like a little distance from them having sat a while in this order captain gosnold willed me to go unto them to see what countenance they would make but as soon as i came up to them one of them to whom i had given a knife two days before in the main knew me whom i also very well remembered and smiling upon me spake somewhat unto their lord or captain which sat in the mists of them who presently rose up and took a large beaver skin from one that stood about him and gave it unto me which i required for that time the best i could but i pointing towards captain gosnold made signs unto him that he was our captain and desirous to be his friend and enter league with him which as i perceive he understood and made signs of joy whereupon captain gosnold with all the rest of his company being 20 in all came up unto them and after many signs of congratulations captain gosnold presenting their lord with certain trifles which they wondered at and highly esteemed we became very great friends and sent for meat aboard our shellop and gave them such meats as we had then ready dressed whereof they misliked nothing but our mustard whereat they made many a sour face so the rest of the day we spent in trading with them for furs which are beavers loserns martins otters wildcat skins very large and deep fur black foxes conie skins of the color of our hairs but somewhat less deer skins very large seal skins and other beast skins to us unknown they have also great store of copper some very red and some of a paler color none of them but have chains earrings or collars of this metal they had some of their arrows wherewith much like our broad arrowheads very workmanly made their chains are many hollow pieces cemented together each piece of the bigness of one of our reeds a finger in length 10 or 12 of them together on a string which they wear about their necks their collars they wear about their bodies like bandoliers a handful broad all hollow pieces like the other but somewhat shorter 400 pieces in a collar very fine and evenly set together besides these they have large drinking cups made like skulls and other thin plates of copper made much like our boar spear blades all which they so little esteem as they offered their fairest collars or chains for a knife or such like trifle but we seemed little to regard it yet I was desirous to understand where they had such store of this metal and made signs to one of them with whom I was very familiar who taking a piece of copper in his hand made a hole with his finger in the ground and with all pointed to the main from whence they came thus they continued with us three days every night retiring themselves to the further most part of our island two or three miles from our fort but the fourth day they returned to the main pointing five or six times to the sun and once to the main which we understood to mean that within five or six days they would come from the main to us again but being in their canoes a little from the shore they made huge cries and shouts of joy unto us and we with our trumpet and cornet and casting up our caps into the air made them the best farewell we could yet six or seven of them remained with us behind bearing us company every day into the woods and helped us to cut and carry our sassafras and some of them lay aboard our ship these people as they are exceeding courteous gentle of disposition and well conditioned exceeding all others that we have seen so for shape of body and lovely favor I think they excel all the people of America they are of stature much higher than we of complexion or color much like a dark olive their eyebrows and hair black which they wear long tied up behind in knots where on they prick feathers of fells in fashion of a coronet some of them are black thin bearded they make beards of the hair of beasts and one of them offered a beard of their making to one of our sailors for his that grew on his face which because it was of a red color they judged to be none of his own they are quick eyed and steadfast in their looks fearless of others harms as intending none themselves some of the meaner sort given to philching which the very name of savages not weighing their ignorance in good or evil may easily excuse their garments are of deerskins and some of them where furs round and close about their necks they pronounce our language with great facility for one of them one day sitting by me upon occasion I spake smiling to him these words how now sirrah are you so saucy with my tobacco which words without any further repetition he suddenly spake so plain and distinctly as if he had been a long scholar in the language many other such trials we had which are here needless to repeat but after our bark had taken in so much sassafras cedar furs skins and other commodities as were thought convenient some of our company that had promised captain gosnaal to stay having nothing but a saving voyage in their minds made our company of inhabitants which was small enough before much smaller so as captain gosnaal seeing his whole strength to consist but of twelve men and they but meanly provided determined to return for england leaving this island which he called elizabeth's island with as many true sorrowful eyes as were before desirous to see it so the 18th of june being friday we weighed and within different fair wind and weather came to anchor the 23rd of july being also friday in all bare five weeks before xmouth your lordships to command john brereton end of section 45 section 46 of a book of american explorers this is a libravox recording a libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by dion gines subtlake city utah a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 10 part two captain weymouth captures indians and explores the panab scott river captain george weymouth or weymouth sailed from england in 1605 wednesday the 29th day of may our shallow being now finished and our captain and men furnished to depart with her from the ship we set up a cross on the shore side upon the rocks thursday the 30th of may about 10 o'clock before noon our captain with 13 men more in the name of god and with all our prayers for our prosperous discovery and safe return departed in the shallow leaving the ship in a good harbor which before i mentioned well moored and manned with 14 men this day about five o'clock in the afternoon we in the ship as spied three canoes coming towards us which went to the island adjoining where they went ashore and very quickly had made a fire about which they stood beholding our ship to whom we made signs with our hands and hats waving unto them to come unto us because we had not seen any of the people yet they sent one canoe with three men one of which when they came near unto us spake in his language very loud and very boldly seeming as though he would know why we were there and by pointing with his ore towards the sea we conjectured he meant we should be gone but when we showed them knives and their use by cutting of sticks and other trifles as combs and glasses they came close aboard our ship as desirous to entertain our friendship to these we gave such things as we perceived they liked when we showed them the use bracelets rings peacock feathers which they stuck in their hair and tobacco pipes after their departure to their company on the shore presently came four others in another canoe to whom we gave as to the former using them with as much kindness as we could the shape of their body is very proportionable they are well countenanced not very tall nor big but in stature like to us they paint their bodies with black their faces some with red some with black and some with blue their clothing is beaver skins or deer skins cast over them like a mantle and hanging down to their knees made fast together upon the shoulder with leather some of them had sleeves most had none some had buskins of such leather soad the next morning very early came one canoe aboard us again with three savages whom we easily then enticed into our ship and under the deck where we gave them pork fish bread and peas all which they did eat and this I noted they would eat nothing raw either fish or flesh they marveled much and much looked upon the making of our can and kettle so they did at a headpiece and at our guns of which they are most fearful and would fall flat down at the report of them at their departure I signed unto them that if they would bring me back such skins as they wear I would give them knives and such things as I saw they most like which the chief of them promised to do by that time the sun should be beyond the midst of the firmament this I did to bring them to an understanding of exchange and that they might conceive the intent of our coming to them to be for no other end I returned now to our savages who according to their appointment about one o'clock came with four canoes to the shore of the island right over against us where they had lodged the last night and sent one canoe to us with two of those savages who had been aboard and another who then seemed to have command of them for though we perceived their willingness yet he would not permit them to come aboard but he having viewed us and our ship signed that he would go to the rest of the company and return again presently after their departure it began to rain and continued all that afternoon so as they would not come to us with their skins and furs nor we go to them but after an hour or there about the three which had been with us before came again whom we had to our fire and covered them with our gowns our captain bestowed a shirt upon him whom we thought to be their chief who seemed never to have seen any before we gave him a brooch to hang about his neck a great knife and lesser knives to the two other and to every one of them a comb and glass the use whereof we showed them where at they left and took these presents gladly we victualed them and gave them aquavita which they tasted but which by no means drink our beverage they liked well we gave them sugar candy which after they had tasted they liked and desired more and raisins which were given them and some of everything they would reserve to carry to their company wherefor we pitying their being in the rain and therefore not able to get themselves victual as we thought we gave them bread and fish thus because we found the land a place answerable to the intent of our discovery namely fit for any nation to inhabit we used the people with as great kindness as we could devise or found them capable of the next day being saturday and the first of june i traded with the savages all the forenoon upon the shore where were eight and twenty of them and because our ship rode nigh we were but five or six where for knives glasses combs and other trifles to the value of four or five shillings we had forty good beaver skins otter skins sables and other small skins which we knew not how to call our trade being ended many of them came aboard us and did eat by our fire and would be very merry and bold in regard of our kind usage of them towards night our captain went on shore to have a draft with the scene or net and we carried two of them with us who marveled to see us catch fish with a net most of that we caught we gave them and their company then on the shore i learned the names of diverse things of them and when they perceived me to note them down they would of themselves fetch fish and fruit bushes and stand by me to see me write their names our captain showed them a strange thing which they wondered at his sword and mine having been touched with the lodestone took up a knife and held it fast when they plucked it away made the knife turn being laid on a block and touching it with his sword made that take up a needle where at they much marveled this we did to cause them to imagine some great power in us and for that to love and fear us our captain had two of them at supper with us in his cabin to see their demeanor and had them in presence at service who behaved themselves very civilly neither laughing nor talking all the time and at supper fed not like men of rude education neither would they eat or drink more than seemed to content nature they desired peas to carry ashore to their women which we gave them with fish and bread and lent them pewter dishes which they carefully brought again this day about five o'clock afternoon came three other canoes from the main of which some had been with us before and they came aboard us and brought us tobacco which we took with them in their pipes which were made of earth very strong black and short containing a great quantity some tobacco they gave unto our captain and some to me in very civil kind manner we required them with bread and peas which they carried to their company on shore seeming very thankful after supper they returned with their canoe to fetch us ashore to take tobacco with them there with whom six or seven of us went and carried some trifles if per adventure they had any truck among which I carried some few biscuits to try if they would exchange for them seeing they so well like to eat them when we came at shore they most kindly entertained us taking us by the hands as they observed we did to them aboard in token of welcome and brought us to sit down by their fire where sat together thirteen of them they filled their tobacco pipe which was then the short claw of a lobster which will hold ten of our pipes full and we drank of their excellent tobacco as much as we would with them but we saw not any great quantity to truck for and it seemed they had not much left of old for they spend a great quantity yearly by their continual drinking and they would sign unto us that it was grown yet but a foot above ground and would be above a yard high with a leaf as broad as both their hands about eight o'clock this day we went on shore with our boats to fetch aboard water and wood our captain leaving word with the gunner in the ship by discharging a musket to give notice if they aspired any canoe coming which they did about ten o'clock he therefore being careful they should be kindly treated requested me to go aboard intending with dispatch to make what haste after he possibly could when I came to the ship there were two canoes and in either of them three savages of whom two were below at the fire the others stayed in their canoes about the ship and because we could not entice them aboard we gave them a can of peas and bread which they carried to the shore to eat but one of them brought back our can presently and stayed aboard with the other two for he being young of a ready capacity and one we most desired to bring with us into england had received exceeding kind usage at our hands and was therefore much delighted in our company when our captain was come we consulted how to catch the other three at shore which we performed thus we manned the light horsemen with seven or eight men one standing before carried our box of merchandise as we were want when I went to traffic with them and a platter of peas which meet they loved but before we were landed one of them being so suspiciously fearful of his own good withdrew himself into the wood the other two met us on the shore side to receive the peas with whom we went up the cliff to their fire and sat down with them and while we were discussing how to catch the third man who was gone I opened the box and showed them trifles to exchange thinking thereby to have banished fear from the other and drawn him to return but when we could not we used little delay but suddenly laid hands upon them and it was as much as five or six of us could do to get them into the light horsemen for they were strong and so naked as by far our best hold was by the long hair on their heads and we would have been very loath to have done them any hurt which of necessity we had been constrained to have done if we had attempted them in a multitude which we must and would rather than have wanted them being a matter of great importance for the full accomplishment of our voyage thus we shipped five savages two canoes with all their bows and arrows Tuesday the 11th of June we passed up into the river with our ship about six and twenty miles of which I had rather not write than by my relation to detract from the worthiness thereof as we passed with a gentle wind up with our ship in this river any man may conceive with which admiration we all consented enjoy many of our company who had been travelers in sundry countries and in the most famous rivers yet affirmed them not comparable to this they now beheld some that were with Sir Walter Raleigh in his voyage to Guiana in the discovery of the river Orinoka which echoed fame to the world's ears gave reasons why it was not to be compared with this which wanted the danger of many shoals and broken ground wherewith that was encumbered others before that notable river in the west indies called Rio Grande some before the river of lore the river scene and of Bordeaux in France which although they be great and goodly rivers yet it is no detraction from them to be accounted inferior to this which not only yieldeth all the aforesaid pleasant profits but also appeareth infallibly to us free from all inconveniences I will not prefer it before our river of tames because it is England's richest treasure but we all did wish those excellent harbors good deeps in a continual convenient breath and small tide gates to be as well therein for our country's good as we found them here beyond our hopes in certain for those to whom it shall please god to grant this land for habitation which if it had with the other inseparable adherent commodities here to be found then I would boldly affirm it to be the most rich beautiful large and secure harboring river that the world affordeth further I have thought fit to add some things worthy to be regarded which we have observed from the savages since we took them first although at the time we surprised them they made their best resistance not knowing our purpose nor what we were not how we meant to use them yet after perceiving by their kind usage we intended them no harm they have never since seemed discontented with us but very tractable loving and willing by their best means to satisfy us in anything we demand of them by words or signs for their understanding neither have they at any time been at the least discord among themselves in so much as we have not seen them angry but merry and so kind as if you give anything to one of them he will distribute part to every one of the rest we have brought them to understand some english and we understand much of their language so as we are able to ask them many things the indians thus carried to england were the objects of great wonder and crowds of people followed them in the streets it is thought that shakespeare may have referred to them in the tempest written a few years later about sixteen ten trinculo there wishes to take the monster caliban to england and says not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver there would this monster make a man any strange beast there makes a man when they will not give a doigt to relieve a lame beggar they will lay out ten to see a dead indian end of section 46 section 47 of a book of american explorers this is a liverbox recording all liverbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liverbox.org recording by chad horner ballie claire a book of american explorers by thomas wintworth higginson book 10 part 3 the popham colony on the kennybeck so much interest was excited by the voyages of gosnold and weymouth that two companies were formed in england for the settlement of america the london company and the plymouth company each company set out a colony in 1606 but the ship sent by the plymouth company was taken by a spanish fleet while the other colony reached virginia then in june 1607 the plymouth company sent another colony under command of captain george popham he being in a vessel called the gift of god accompanied by the mary and john captain riley gilbert they reached the mouth of the river sakate or kennybeck in august and the narrative proceeds as follows as told by strategy secretary of the virginia colony captain popham in his penance with 30 persons and captain gilbert in his long boat with 18 persons more went early in the morning from their ship into the river sakate to view the river and to search where they might find a fit place for their plantation they sailed up into the river near 40 lakes and found it to be a very gallant river very deep and seldom less water than three fathom whereupon they proceeded no farther but in their return homewards observed many goodly islands therein and many branches of other small rivers falling into it they all went ashore and there made choice of a place for their plantation at the mouth or entry of the river on the west side for the river bendeth itself towards the northeast and by east being almost an island of a good business being in a province called by the indians sabino so-called of the sagamu or chief commander under the grand basaba as they were ashore three canoes full of indians came to them but would not come near but rode away up the river they all went ashore where they had made choice of their plantation and where they had a sermon delivered on to them by their preacher and after the sermon the president's commission was read with the laws to be observed and kept george popham gent was nominated president captain riley gilbert james davies richard limer preacher captain richard davies captain hardow the same who brought away the savages at this time showed in london from the river of canada were all sworn assistants and so they returned back again august 20th all went to shore again and there began to entrench and make a fort and to build a storehouse you may please to understand how whilst this business was thus followed here soon after their arrival that they had dispatched away captain robert davies in the mary and john to advertise of their safe arrival and forwardness of their plantation within this river of lacudinac with letters to the lord chief justice in portraying a supply for the most necessary once to the subsisting of a colony to be sent onto them betimes the next year after captain davies departure they fully finished the fort trenched and fortified it with 12 pieces of ordinance and built 50 houses therein besides a church and a storehouse and the carpenters framed a pretty pennance of about some 30 tons which they called the virginia the chief shipwright being one digby of london many discoveries likewise had been made both to the main and onto the neighbor rivers and the form tier nations fully discovered by the diligence of captain gilbert had not the winter proved so extreme unseasonable and frosty for it being in the year 1607 when the extraordinary frost was felt in most parts of europe it was here likewise as vehement by which no boat could stir upon any business albeit as times on occasion gave leave there was nothing omitted which could add on to the benefit or knowledge of the planters for which when captain davies arrived there in the following year set out from topsham the port town of exeter with a ship laden full of victuals arms instruments and tools etc albeit he found mr george popham the president and some other dead yet he found all things in good forwardness and many kinds of furs obtained from the indians by way of trade good store of sasa parilla gathered and the new penance all finished but by reason that captain gilbert received letters that his brother was newly dead and a fair portion of land fallen onto his chair which required his repair home and no mines discovered and no hope thereof being the main intended benefit expected to uphold the charge of this plantation and the fear that all other winners would prove like the first the company by no means would stay any longer in the country especially captain gilbert being to leave them and mr popham as aforesaid dead therefore they all embarked in this new arrived ship and in the new penance the virginia and set sail for england and this was the end of that northern colony upon the river saca deac this was the first colony that spent a winter in new england 13 years before the plymouth colony arrived the winter was an unusually severe one and moreover the chief promoters of the colony sir john popham and captain popham died but for this it is possible that the colony might have remained but in that case main would have been settled only a year down virginia end of section 47 recording by child horner valet claire section 48 of a book of american explorers this is a leper vox recording all leper vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leper vox.org recording by april 6090 california united states of america a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 10 part 4 captain gilbert's adventure with indians captain gilbert the companion of captain popham went up the river cannebec or saw she deal hook in a shallot with 19 men and had his adventure with indians in the morning there came a canoe unto them and in her sagamo and four savages some of those which spoke to them the night before the sagamo called his name labanoa and told us how he was lord of their river sashtoho they entertained him friendly and took him into their boat and presented him with some trifling things which he accepted how wheat he desired some of one of our men to be put in his canoe as a pawn of his safety whereupon captain gilbert sent any man of his when presently the canoe rode away from them with all the speed they could make up the river they followed with the shallot having great care that the sagamo should not leap overboard the canoe quickly rode from them and landed and the men made to their houses being near a league on the land from the riverside and carried our man with them the shallot making good way that length came to another downfall which was so shallow and so swift that by no means they could pass any farther from which captain gilbert with nine others landed and took their fare the savage sagamo with them and went in search after those other savages whose houses the sagamo told captain gilbert were not far off and after a good tedious march they came indeed at length unto those savages houses where they found near fifty able men very strong and tall such as they're like before they had not seen all newly painted and armed with their bows and arrows how beat after that the sagamo had talked with them they delivered back again the man and used all the rest very friendly as did ours the like by them who showed them their commodities of beads knives and some copper of which they seemed very fond and by way trade of made show that they would come down to the boat and there bring such things as they had to exchange them for hours so captain Gilbert departed from them and within half an hour after he had gotten to his boat there came three canoes down unto them and in them some sixteen savages and brought with them some tobacco and certain small skins which were of no value which captain Gilbert perceiving and that they had nothing else wherewith to trade he caused all his men to come aboard and as he would have put from the shore the savages perceiving so much suddenly devised how they might put out the fire in the shallot by which means they saw they should be free from the danger of our men's pieces and to perform the same one of the savages came into the shallot and taking the firebrand which one of our company held in his hand thereby to light the matches as if he would light a pipe of tobacco as soon as he had gotten it into his hand he presently threw it into the water and leaped out of the shallot captain Gilbert seeing that suddenly commanded his men to be take them to their muskets and the targetiers too from the head of the boat and had one of the men before with his target on his arm to step on the shore for more fire the savages resisted him and would not suffer him to take any and some others holding fast the boat wrote that the shallot could not put off captain Gilbert caused the musketeers to present their pieces the which the savages seeing presently let go the boat rope and be took them to their bows and arrows and ran into the bushes knocking their arrows but did not shoot neither did ours at them so the shallot departed from them to the farther side of the river where one of the canoes came unto them and would have excused the fault of the others captain Gilbert made show as if he were still friends and entertained them kindly and so left them returning to the place where he had lodged the night before and there came to an anchor for that night end of section 48 section 49 of a book of American explorers this is a Libra Vox recording all Libra Vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libra Vox.org recording by Betty B a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 11 captain John Smith 1606 to 1631 part one the Virginia colony the first four of the following extracts are from Smith's general history of Virginia New England and the summer aisles edition of 1626 pages 39 to 49 the next four are from the history of travel into Virginia Britannia by William Strayke secretary of the Virginia colony reprinted by the hack loot society 1849 pages 49 to 52 57 58 80 81 110 111 the ninth is from the general history page 219 the 10th is from a description of New England by captain John Smith printed in the massachusetts historical collections third series volume 6 pages 109 121 the 11th is from the general history pages 121 to 123 the last two are from advertisements for the unexperienced planters of New England or anywhere by captain John Smith sometimes governor of Virginia and admiral of New England London 1631 reprinted in massachusetts historical collection third series volume 3 pages 7 29 30 44 there is a memoir of captain smith by gs hillard in sparks american biography volume 2 captain john smith one captain john smith in virginia captain bartholomew gasnell one of the first movers of this plantation having many years solicited many of his friends but found small assistance at last prevailed with some gentlemen as captain john smith mr edward maria wingfield mr robert hunt and diverse others who depended a year upon his projects but nothing could be affected till by their great charge in industry it came to be apprehended by certain of the nobility gentry and merchants so that his majesty by his letters patents gave commission for establishing councils to direct here and to govern and to execute there to effect this was spent another year and by that three ships were provided one of 100 tons another of 40 and a pinnace of 20 the transportation of the company was committed to captain christopher newport a mariner well practiced for the western parts of america but their orders for government were put in a box not to be opened nor the governors known until they arrived in virginia on the 19th of december 1606 we set sail from black wall but by unprosperous winds were kept six weeks in the site of england we watered at the canaries we traded with the savages at dominica three weeks we spent in refreshing ourselves among the west india aisles in guadalupe we found a bath so hot as in it we boiled pork as well as over the fire and at a little aisle called monica we took from the bushes with our hands near two hogsheads full of birds in three or four hours in mevis mona and the virgin aisles we spent some time where with a loathsome beast like a crocodile called a guain tortoises pelicans parrots and fishes we daily feasted gone from fence and search of virginia the company was not a little discomforted seeing the mariners had three days past their reckoning and found no land so that captain ratliff captain of the pinnace rather desired to bear up the helm to return for england than make further search but god the guider of all good actions forcing them by an extreme storm to hull all night did drive them by his providence to their desired port beyond all their expectations for never any of them had seen that coast the first land they made they called cape henry were 30 of them recreating themselves on shore were assaulted by five savages who were two of the english very dangerously that night was the box opened and the orders read in which bartholomew gosknell john smith edward wingfield christopher newport john ratliff john martin and george kendall were named to the council and to choose a president among them for a year who with the council should govern matters of moment were to be examined by a jury but determined by the major part of the council in which the president had two voices until the 13th of may they sought a place to plant in then the council was sworn mr wingfield was chosen president and an oration made why captain smith was not admitted of the council as the rest now followed every man to work the council contrived the fort the rest cut down trees to make place to pitch their tents some provide clapboard to relay the ships some make gardens some nets etc the savages often visited us kindly the president's overweening jealousy would admit no exercise at arms or fortification but the boughs of trees cast together in the form of a half moon by the extraordinary pains and diligence of captain kendall newport smith and 20 others were sent to discover the head of the river by diverse small habitations they passed in six days they arrive at a town called powhatan consisting of some 12 houses pleasantly seated on a hill before it three fertile aisles about it many of their cornfields the place is very pleasant and strong by nature of this place the prince is called powhatan and his people powhatans to this place the river is navigable but higher within a mile by reason of the rocks and aisles there is not passage for a small boat this they call the falls the people in all parts kindly and treated them till being returned within 20 miles of jamestown they gave just cause of jealousy but had god not blessed the discoverers otherwise than those at the fort there had then been an end of that plantation for at the fort where they arrived the next day they found 17 men hurt and a boy slain by the savages and had it not chance to cross bar shot from the ships struck down a bow from a tree amongst them that caused them to retire our men had all been slain being securely all at work and their arms and dry vats here upon the president was willing the fort should be palisaded the ordinance mounted his men armed and exercised for many were the assaults and ambush skates of the savages and our men by their disorderly straggling were often hurt when the savages by the nimbleness of their heels well escaped what toil we had was so small a power to guard our work men a day's watch all night resist our enemies and affect our business to relay the ships cut down trees and prepare the ground to plant our corn etc i refer to the reader's consideration end of section 49 section 50 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Betty B a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 11 part 2 the Virginia colonists being for most part of such tender educations and small experience in martial accidents because they found neither English cities nor such fair houses nor at their own wishes any of their accustomed dainties with feather beds and downy pillows taverns and ale houses in every breathing place neither such plenty of gold and silver and dissolute liberty as they expected had little or no care of anything but to procure their means to return for England for the country was to them a misery a ruin a death a hell and their reports here in their actions there according some other there were that had yearly stipends to pass to and again for transportation and those with their great words diluted the world with such strange promises as abused the business much worse than the rest for the business being billed upon the foundation of their feigned experience the planters the money and means have still miscarried yet they ever returning and the planters so far absent who could contradict their excuses which still to maintain their vain glory and estimation from time to time have used such diligence as made them pass for truths though nothing more false and that the adventurers might be thus abused let no man wonder for the wisest living is soon as abused by him that had the fair tongue and a dissembling heart there were many in Virginia merely projecting verbal and idle contemplators and those so devoted to pure idleness that though they had lived two or three years in Virginia lordly necessity itself could not compel them to pass the peninsula or palisades of Jamestown and those witty spirits what would they not affirm in behalf of our transporters to get victual from their ships or obtain their good words in England to get their passes thus from the clamors and the influence of false informers are sprung those disasters that sprung in Virginia and our ingenious verbalists were no less a plague to us in Virginia than the locusts to the Egyptians for the labor of 20 or 30 of the best only preserved in Christianity by their industry the idle lives of near 200 of the rest who living near 10 months of such natural means as the country naturally of itself afforded notwithstanding all this and the worst fury of the savages the extremity of sickness mutinies faction ignorances and want a victual in all that time i lost but seven or eight men yet subjected the savages to our desired obedience and received contribution from 35 of their kings to protect and assist them against any that should assault them in which order they continue true and faithful and to subjects to his majesty so long after as i did govern there until i left the country end of section 50 section 51 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part three captain smith's capture by indians three smith captured by the indians and now the winter approaching the rivers became so covered with swans geese ducks and cranes that we daily feasted with good bread virginia peas pumpkins and put charmants fish fowl and diverse sorts of wild beasts as fat as we could eat them so that none of our tough apathy humorists desired to go for england but our comedies never endured long without a tragedy some idle exceptions being muttered against captain smith for not discovering the head of chikahomania river and taxed by the council to be too slow and so worthy an attempt the next voyage he proceeded so far that with much labor by cutting of trees asunder he made his passage but when his barge could pass no farther he left her in a broad bay out of danger of shot commanding none should go ashore until his return himself with two english and two savages went up higher in a canoe but he was not long absent but his men went ashore whose want of government gave both occasion and opportunity to the savages to surprise one george kassen whom they slew and much failed not to have cut off the boat and all the rest smith little dreaming of that accident being got to the marshes at the river's head 20 miles in the desert had his two men slain as is supposed sleeping by the canoe while himself by fouling sought them victuals who finding he was beset with 200 savages two of them he slew still defending himself with the aid of a savage his guide whom he bound to his arms with his garters and used him as a buckler yet he was shot in his thigh a little and had many arrows that stuck in his clothes but no great hurt till at last they took him prisoner when this news came to jamestown much was there sorrow for his loss you expecting what ensued six or seven weeks those barbarians kept him prisoner many strange triumphs and conjurations they made of him yet he so demeaned himself among them as he not only diverted them from surprising the fort but procured his own liberty and got himself and his company such estimation amongst them that those savages admired him more than their own to you go socks the manner how they used and delivered him is as followeth the savages having drawn from george kassen with their captain smith was gone prosecuting that opportunity they followed him with 300 bowman conducted by the king of pamonki who in divisions searching the turnings of the river found robinson and emory by the fireside those they shot full of arrows and slew then finding the captain as is said that use the savage that was his guide as his shield three of them being slain and diverse others so gall all the rest would not come near him thinking thus to have returned to his boat regarding them as he marched more than his way slipped up to the middle in an oozy creek and his savage with him yet durst they not come to him till being near dead with cold he threw away his arms then according to their composition they drew him forth and led him to the fire where his men were slain diligently they chaved his benumbed limbs he demanding for their captain they showed him open changanof king of pamonki to whom he gave a round ivory double compass dial much they marveled at the playing of the fly and needle which they could see so plainly and yet not touch it because of the glass that covered them when he demonstrated by that globe like jewel the roundness of the earth and skies the sphere of the sun moon and stars and how the sun did chase the night round about the world continually the greatness of the land and sea the diversity of nations variety of complexions and how we were to them antipodes and many other such light matters they all stood as amazed with admiration not withstanding without an hour after they tied him to a tree and as many as could stand about him prepared to shoot him but the king holding up the compass in his hand they all laid down their bows and arrows and in a triumphant manner led him to aura packs where he was after their manner kindly feasted and well used their order in conducting him was thus drawing themselves all in file the king in the midst had all their pieces and swords born before him captain smith was led after him by three great savages holding him fast by each arm and on each side six went in file with their arrows knocked but arriving at the town which was only 30 or 40 hunting houses made of mats which they remove as they please as we are tense all the women and children staring to behold him the soldiers first all in file performed the form of a bism so well as could be and on each flank officers as sergeants to see them keep their order a good time they continued this exercise and then cast themselves in a ring dancing in such several postures and singing and yelling out such hellish notes and screeches being strangely painted everyone his quiver of arrows and at his back a club on his arm a fox or an otter skin or some such matter for his vambrace their heads and shoulders painted red with oil and pocones mingled together which scarlet like color made an exceeding handsome show his bow in his hand and the skin of a bird with her wings abroad dried tight on his head a piece of copper a white shell a long feather with a small rattle growing at the tails of their snakes tied to it were some such like toy all this while smith and the king stood in the midst guarded as before is said and after three dances they all departed smith they conducted to a long house where 30 or 40 tall fellows did guard him an air long more bread and venison was brought him then would have served 20 men i think his stomach at that time was not very good what he left they put in baskets and tied over his head about midnight they set the meat again before him all this time not one of them would eat a bit with him till the next morning they brought him as much more and then did they eat all the old and reserve the new as they had done the other which made him think they would fat him to eat him yet in this desperate estate to defend him from the cold one malcasseter brought him his gown in requital of some beads and toys smith had given him at his first arrival in virginia end of section 51 section 52 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part four captain smith and pocahontas this narrative is taken from smith's general history it was possibly written by captain smith but is now generally disbelieved by historical students because it is inconsistent with an earlier account of the same events also written by smith and because the incident is not mentioned by strokkie who also described the virginia colony two days after a man would have slain him that the guard prevented it for the death of his son to whom they conducted him to recover the poor man then breathing his last smith told them that at jamestown he had a water would do if they would let him fetch it but they would not permit that but made all the preparations they could to assault jamestown craving his advice and for recompense he should have life liberty land and women in part of a table book he wrote his mind to them at the fort what was intended how they should follow that direction to affright the messengers and without fail sent him such things as he wrote for and an inventory with them the difficulty and danger he told the savages of the mines great guns and other engines exceedingly affrighted them yet according to his request they went to jamestown in as bitter weather as could be a frost and snow and within three days returned with an answer when they came to jamestown seeing men sally out as he had told them they would they fled yet in the night they came again to the same place where he told them they should receive an answer and such things as he had promised them which they found accordingly and with which they returned with no small expedition to the wonder of them all that heard it that he could either divine or the paper could speak not long after early in the morning a great fire was made in a long house and a mat spread on the one side as on the other on the one they caused him to sit and all the guard went out of the house and presently came skipping in a great grim fellow all painted over with coal mingled with oil and many snakes and weasel skins stuffed with moss and all their tails tied together so as they met on the crown of his head in a tassel and round about the tassel was a coronet of feathers the skins hanging round about his head back and shoulders and in a manner covered his face with a hellish voice and a rattle in his hand with most strange gestures and passions he began his invocation and enviring the fire with a circle of meal which done three more such like devils came rushing in with the like antique tricks painted half black half red but all their eyes were painted white and some red strokes like mustaches along their cheeks round about him those fiends danced a pretty while and then came in three more as ugly as the rest with red eyes and white strokes over their black faces at last they all sat down right against him three of them on the one hand of the chief priest and three on the other then all with their rattles began a song which ended the chief priest laid down five wheat corns then straining his arms and hands with such violence that he sweat and his veins swelled he began a short oration at the conclusion they all gave a short groan and then laid down three grains more after that began their song again and then another oration ever laying down so many corns as before till they had twice encircled the fire that done they took a bunch of little sticks prepared for that purpose continuing still their devotion and at the end of every song oration they laid down a stick betwixt the divisions of corn till night neither he nor they did either eat or drink and then they feasted merrily with the best provisions they could make three days they used this ceremony the meaning whereof they told him was to know if he intended them well or no the circle of meal signified their county the circles of corn the boundaries of the sea and the sticks his country they imagined the world to be flat and round like a trencher and they in the middle after this they brought him a bag of gunpowder which they carefully preserved until the next spring to plant as they did their corn because they would be acquainted with the nature of that sea opichapam the king's brother invited him to his house where with as many platters of bread foul and wild beasts as did environ him he bid him welcome but not any of them would eat a bit with him but put up all the remainder in baskets at last they brought him to morono camoco where was powhatan their emperor here more than 200 of those grim courtiers stood wondering at him as he had been a monster till powhatan and his train had put themselves in their greatest braveries before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead he sat covered with a great robe made of raccoon skins and all the tails hanging by on either hand it set a young wench of 16 or 18 years and along on each side the house two rows of men and behind them as many women with all their heads and shoulders painted red many of their heads bedecked with the white down of birds but everyone was something and a great chain of white beads about their necks at his entrance before the king all the people gave a great shout the queen of apomatoc was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands and another brought him a bunch of feathers instead of a towel to dry them having feasted him after the best barbarous manner they could a long consultation was held but the conclusion was two great stones were brought before powhatan then as many as could laid hands on him dragged him to them and thereon laid his head and being ready with their clubs to beat out his brains hokohannas the king's dearest daughter when no entreaty could prevail got his head in her arms and laid her own upon his to save him from death where at the emperor was contented he should live to make him hatchets and her bells beads and copper for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselves for the king himself will make his own robes shoes bows arrows pots plant hunt or do anything so well as the rest two days after powhatan having disguised himself in the most fearful as manner he could caused captain smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods and there upon a mat by the fire to be left alone not long after from behind a mat that divided the house was made the most dull fullest noise he ever heard then powhatan more like a devil than a man with some 200 more as black as himself came unto him and told him now they were friends and presently he should go to jamestown to send him two great guns and a grindstone for which he would give him the country of kappa how a sick and forever esteem him as his son nanta quant so to jamestown with 12 guides powhatan sent him that night they quartered in the woods he's still expecting as he had done all this long time of his imprisonment every hour to be put to one death or other for all their feasting but almighty god by his divine providence had molified the hearts of those stern barbarians with compassion the next morning be times they came to the fort where smith having used the savages with what kindness he could he showed raw hunt powhatan's trusty servant two demi culverines and a millstone to carry powhatan they found them somewhat too heavy but when they did see him discharge them being loaded with stones among the boughs of a great tree loaded with icicles the ice and branches came so tumbling down that the poor savages ran away half dead with fear but at last we regained some conference with them and gave them such toys and sent to powhatan his women and children such presents as gave them in general full content end of section 52 section 53 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part 5 king powhatan he is a goodly old man not yet shrinking though well beaten with many cold and stormy winters in which he has been patient of many necessities and attempts of his fortune to make his name and family great he's supposed to be little less than 80 years old i dare not say how much more others say he is of a tall stature and clean limbs of a sad aspect round fat visaged with gray hairs but plain and thin hanging upon his broad shoulders some few hairs upon his chin and so on his upper lip he has been a strong and able savage sinewy and of a daring spirit vigilant ambitious subtlety enlarge his dominions cool he hath been and quarrelsome as well with his own where awareness for trifles and that to strike a terror and awe into them of his power and condition as also with his neighbors in his younger days though now delighted in security and pleasure watchful he is over us and keeps good a smile upon our proceedings concerning which he hath his sentinels that at what time so ever any of our boats penises or ships come in fall down or make up the river give the alarm and take it quickly one from the other until it reach and come even to the court or hunting house wheresoever he and his chronicles that is counselors and priests are and then he calls to advise and gives out directions what is to be done about his person ordinarily attended a guard of 40 or 50 of the tallest men his country do afford every night upon the four quarters of his house are four sentinels drawn forth each standing from other a flight shot and at every half hour one from the core to guard doth hallu unto whom every sentinel returns answer round from his stand if any fail an officer's presently sent forth that beateth him extremely the word whereowance which we call and construe for a king is a common word whereby they call all commanders or they have but few words in their language and but few occasions to use any officers more than one commander which commonly they call whereowance it is strange to see with what great fear and adoration all these people do obey this power tan or at his feet they present whatsoever he commanded and at the least frown of his brow the greatest will tremble it may be because he is very terrible and inexorable in punishing such as offend him ensured is to be wondered at how such a barbarous and uncivil prince should take unto him adorned and set forth with no great outward ornament and munificence a form and ostentation of such majesty as he expresses which oftentimes strikes all and sufficient wonder in our people presenting themselves before him end of section 53 section 54 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording a LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Betty B a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 11 part 6 a Virginia princess nor is she so handsome a savage woman as I have seen amongst them yet with a kind of pride can take upon her a show of greatness for we have seen her forebear to come out of her quintan or boat through the water as the other both maids and married women usually do unless she were carried forth between two of her servants I was once early at her house it being summertime when she was laid without doors under the shadow of a broad-leaved tree upon a palette of osiers spread over with four or five fine gray mats herself covered with a fair white dressed deerskin or two and when she rose she had a maid who fetched her a frontal of white coral and pendants of great but imperfect colored and worse drilled pearls which she put into her ears and a chain with long lengths of copper which they call tapo and to menace and which came twice or thrice about her neck and they account a jolly ornament and sure thus a tired with some variety of feathers and flowers stuck in their hairs they seemed as debonair quaint and well-pleased as a daughter of the house of austria decked with all her jewels likewise her maid fetched her a mantle which they call puto who's which is like a side cloak made of blue feathers so artificially and thick sewed together that it seemed like a deep purple satin and is very smooth and sleek and after she brought her water for her hands and then a branch or two of fresh green ashen leaves as for a towel to dry them end of section 54 section 55 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part seven an indian dance in virginia as for their dancing the sport seems unto them and the use almost as frequent and necessary as their meat and drink in which they consume much time and for which they appoint many and often meetings and have therefore as it were set orgies or festivals for the same pastime as have yet at this day the mary greeks at our colonies first sitting down amongst them when any of our people repaired to their towns the indians would not think they had expressed their welcome sufficiently enough until they had showed them a dance the manner of which is thus one of them standeth by with some fur or leather thing in his left hand upon which he beats with his right hand and sings with all as if he began the choir and kept unto the rest of their just time when upon a certain stroke or more as upon his cue or time to come in one rises up and begins to dance after he has danced a while steps forth another as if he came in just upon his rest and in this order all of them so many as there be one after another who then dance an equal distance from each other in ring shouting howling and stamping their feet against the ground with such force and pain that they sweat again and with all varieties of strange mimic tricks and distorted faces making so confused a yell and noise as so many frantic and disquieted bacchanals and sure they will keep stroke just with their feet to the time he gives and just one with another but with the hands head face and body every one half a several gesture and those who have seen the dervishes in their holy dances in their mosques upon wednesdays and fridays in turkey may resemble these unto them you shall find the manner expressed in the figure end of section 55 section 56 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording a libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wetworth higginson book 11 part 8 indian children in virginia to make the children hearty in the coldest mornings they wash them in the rivers and by paintings and ointments so tan their skins that after a year or two no weather will hurt them as also to practice their children in the use of their bows and arrows the mothers do not give them their breakfast in a morning before they have hit a mark which she appoints them to shoot at and commonly so cunning they will have them as sewing up in the air a piece of moss or some such light thing the boy must with his arrow meet it in the fall and hit it or else he shall not have his breakfast both men women and children have their special names at first according to the several humor of their parents and for the men children at first when they are young their mothers give them a name calling them by some affectionate title or perhaps observing their promising inclination give it accordingly and so the great king powhatan called a young daughter of his whom he loved well pocahontas which may signify little wanton albeit she was rightly called a manate at more ripe years when they become able to travel into the woods and to go forth a hunting fouling and fishing with their fathers the fathers give him another name as he finds him apt and of spirit to prove toward and valiant or otherwise changing the mother's name which yet in the family is not so soon forgotten and if so be it be by agility strength or any extraordinary strain of wit he performs any remarkable or valorous exploit in open active arms or by stratagem especially in the time of extremity in the wars for the public and common state upon the enemy the king taking notice of the same doth then not only an open view and solemnly reward him with some present of copper or chain of pearl and beads but doth then likewise in which they take for the most eminent and supreme favor give him a name answerable to the attempt not much differing herein from the ancient warlike encouragement and order of the romans to a well-deserving and gallant young spirit end of section 56 section 57 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part 9 the planters pleasure and profit there are who delight extremely in vain pleasure that take much more pains in england to enjoy it than i should do here to gain wealth sufficient and yet i think they should not have half such sweet content for our pleasure here is still game in england charges and loss here nature and liberty afford us that freely which in england we want or it cost us dearly what pleasure can be more than being tired with any occasion ashore in planting vines fruits or herbs in contriving their own ground to the pleasure of their own minds their fields gardens orchards buildings ships and other works etc to recreate themselves before their own doors in their own boats upon the sea where man woman and child with a small hook and line by angling may take diverse sorts of excellent fish at their pleasures and is it not pretty sport to pull up two pence six pence and 12 pence as fast as you can haul and veer a line he is a very bad fisher who cannot kill in one day with his hook and line one two or three hundred cots which dressed and dried if they'd be sold there for 10 shillings a hundred though in england they will give more than 20 may not both servant master and merchant be well content with his game if a man work but three days and seven he may get more than he can spend unless he will be exceedingly excessive now that carpenter mason gardener taylor smith sailor forager or what other may they not make this a very pretty recreation though they fish but an hour in a day to take more than they can eat in a week or if they will not eat it because there's so much better choice yet sell it or change it with the fishermen or merchants or anything you want and what sport doth yield a more pleasing content and less hurt in charge than angling with a hook and crossing the sweet air from isle to isle over the silent streams of a calm sea wherein the most curious may find a profit pleasure and content thus though all men be not fishers yet all men whatsoever may in other matters do as well for necessity doth in these cases so rule a commonwealth and each in their several functions as their labors in their qualities may be as profitable because there is a necessary mutual use of all for gentlemen what exercise should more delight them than ranging daily these unknown parts using fouling and fishing for hunting and hawking and yet you shall see the wild hawks give you some pleasure in seeing them stoop six or seven times after one another an hour or two together at the sculpts of fish in the fair harbors as those assure at a fowl and never trouble nor torment yourselves with watching mewing feeding and attending them nor kill horse and man with running and crying see you not a hawk for hunting also the woods lakes and rivers afford not only chase sufficient for any that delights in that kind of toil or pleasure but such beasts to hunt that besides the delicacy of their bodies for food their skins are so rich as they will recompense thy daily labor with the captain's pay end of section 57 section 58 of a book of american explorers this is a libra vox recording a libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org recording by betty b a book of american explorers by thomas wentworth higginson book 11 part 10 the glories of fishing the main staple from hence to be extracted for the present to produce the rest is fish which however it may seem a mean and base commodity yet who will but truly take the pains and consider the sequel i think will allow it well worth the labor it is strange to see what great adventures the hopes of setting forth men of war to rob the industrious innocent would procure but who does not know that the poor hollanders chiefly by fishing at a great charge in labor in all weathers in the open sea are made of people so hardy and industrious and by the sending this poor commodity to the easterlings for as mean which is wood flax pitch tar rosin cordage and such like which they exchange again to the french spaniards portuguese and english etc for what they want are made so mighty strong and rich as no state but venice of twice their magnitude is so well furnished with so many fair cities goodly towns strong fortresses and that abundance of shipping and all sorts of merchandise as well as of gold silver diamonds precious stones silks velvets and cloth of gold as fish pitch wood or such gross commodities what voyages and discoveries east and west north and south yay about the world make they what an army by sea and land have they long maintained in despite of one of the greatest princes of the world and never could the spaniard with all his minds of gold and silver pay his debts his friends and army have so truly as the hollanders still have done by this contemptible trade of fish you shall scarce find any bay shallow shore or cove of sand where you may not take many clams or lobsters or both at your pleasure and in many places load your boat if you please nor aisles where you find not fruits birds crabs and mussels or all of them for taking at a low water and in the harbors we frequented a little boy might take of cunners and pinnecks and such delicate fish at the ship stern more than six or ten can eat in a day but with a casting set thousands when we pleased and scarce anyplace but cod cusk halibut mackerel skate or such like a man may take with a hooker line what he will and in diverse sandy bays a man may draw with a net great store of mullets bass and diverse other sorts of such excellent fish as many as his net can draw on shore no river where there is not plenty of sturgeon or salmon or both all which are to be had in abundance observing but their seasons but if a man will go at Christmas to gather cherries and kent he may be deceived though there be plenty in summer so here these plenties have each their seasons as I have expressed we for the most part had little but bread and vinegar and though the most part of july when the fishing decayed they brought all day lay abroad in the aisles all night and lived on what they found yet were not sick but I would wish none put himself long to such plunges except necessity constrain it yet worthy is that person to starve that here cannot live if he have sense strength and health end of section 58 section 59 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Betty B a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 11 part 11 visit of Pocahontas to London in 1617 during this time the lady Rebecca alias Pocahontas daughter to Powhatan by the diligent care of master John Walth her husband and his friends was taught to speak such English as might well be understood well instructed in Christianity and was become very formal and civil after our English manner she had also by him a child which she loved most dearly in the treasure and company took order both for the maintenance of her and it besides there were diverse persons of great rank and quality had been very kind to her and before she arrived at London captain Smith to deserve her former courtesies made her qualities known to the Queen's most excellent majesty and her court and wrote a little book to this effect to the Queen an abstract whereof followeth to the most high and virtuous princess Queen Anne of Great Britain most admired Queen the love I bear my God my king and country hath so oft emboldened me in the worst of extreme dangers that now honesty doth constrain me to presume thus far beyond myself to present your majesty this short discourse if in gratitude be a deadly poison to all honest virtue I must be guilty of that crime if I should omit any means to be thankful so it is that some 10 years ago being in Virginia and taken prisoner by the power of Powhatan their chief king I received from this great savage exceeding great courtesy especially from his son Nantikwan the most manliest cumbliest boldest spirit I ever saw in a savage and his sister Pocahontas the king's most dear and well-beloved daughter being but a child of 12 or 13 years of age whose compassionate pitiful heart of my desperate estate gave me much cause to respect her I being the first Christian this proud king and his grim attendance ever saw and thus enthralled in their barbarous power I cannot say I felt the least occasion of want that was in the power of those my mortal foes to prevent notwithstanding all their threats after some six weeks fatting amongst those savage courtiers at the minute of my execution she hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine and not only that but so prevailed with her father that I was safely conducted to Jamestown where I found about eight and 30 miserable poor and sick creatures to keep possession of all those large territories of Virginia such was the weakness of this poor commonwealth as had the savages not fed us we directly had starved and this relief most gracious queen was commonly brought us by this lady Pocahontas notwithstanding all these passages when inconstant fortune turned our peace to war this tender virgin would still not spare to dare to visit us and by her our jars have been off the peace and our wants still supplied we're at the policy of her father thus to employ her or the ordinance of god thus to make her his instrument or her extraordinary affection to our nation I know not but of this I am sure when her father with the utmost of his policy and power sought to surprise me having but 18 with me the dark night could not affright her from coming through the irksome woods and with the watered eyes gave me intelligence with her best advice to escape his fury which had he known he had surely slain her Jamestown with her wild train she has freely frequented as her father's habitation and during the time of two or three years she next under god was still the instrument to preserve this colony from death famine and utter confusion which if in those times had once been dissolved Virginia might have lain as it was at our first arrival to this day since then this business having been turned and varied by many accidents from that I left it at it is most certain after long and troublesome war after my departure betwixt her father and our colony all which time she was not heard of about two years after she herself was taken prisoner being so detained near two years longer the colony by that means was relieved he's concluded and at last rejecting her barbarous condition she was married to an English gentleman with whom at this present she is in England the first Christian ever of that nation the first virginian ever spoke English or had a child in marriage by an Englishman a matter surely if my meaning be truly considered and well understood worthy of princesses understanding thus most gracious lady I have related to your majesty what at your best leisure our approved histories will account you at large and done in the time of your majesty's life and however this might be presented you from a more worthy pen it cannot from a more honest heart as yet I never begged anything of the state or any and if my want of ability and her exceeding desert your birth means and authority her birth virtue want and simplicity doth make me thus bold humbly to beseech your majesty to take this knowledge of her though it be from one so unworthy to be the reporter as myself and so I humbly kiss your gracious hands being about this time preparing to set sail for new england I could not stay to do her that service I desired and she well deserved but hearing she was at brandford with diverse of my friends I went to see her after a modest salutation without any word she turned about obscured her face as not seeming well contented and in that humor her husband with diverse others we all left her two or three hours repenting myself to have written she could speak English but not long after she began to talk and remembered me well what courtesy she had done saying you did promise powtan what was yours should be his and he the like to you you called him father being in his land a stranger and by the same reason so must I do you which though I would have excused I durst not allowed that title because she was a king's daughter with a well said countenance she said were you not afraid to come into my father's country and caused fear in him and all his people but me and fear you here I should call you father I tell you then I will and you shall call me child and so I will be forever and ever your countrymen they did tell us always you were dead and I knew no other till I came to Plymouth yet Powhatan did command that amada makin to seek you and know the truth because your countrymen will lie much this savage wanted Powhatan's council being amongst them held an understanding fellow the king purposely sent him to number the people here and inform him well what we were and our state arriving at Plymouth according to his directions he got a long stick we're on by notches he did think to have kept the number of all the men he could see but he was quickly weary of that task coming to London whereby chance I met him having renewed our acquaintance where many were desirous to hear and see his behavior he told me Powhatan did bid him to find me out to show him our God the king queen and prince I so much had told them of concerning God I told him the best I could the king I heard he had seen and the rest he should see when he would he denied ever to have seen the king till by circumstances he was satisfied he had then he replied very sadly you gave Powhatan a white dog which Powhatan fed as himself but your king gave me nothing and I am better than your white dog the small time I stayed in London diverse courtiers and others my acquaintances have gone with me to see her that generally concluded they did think God had a great hand in her conversion and they have seen many English ladies worse favored proportioned and behaved and as since I have heard it pleased both the kings and queens majesty honorably to esteem her accompanied with that honorable lady the lady de la wear and that honorable lord her husband and diverse other persons of good qualities both publicly at the masks and otherwise to her great satisfaction and content which doubtless she would have deserved had she lived to arrive in Virginia the treasurer council and company having well furnished captain Samuel Argol the lady Pocahontas alias Rebecca with her husband and others in the good ship called the George it pleased God at Gravesend to take this young lady to his mercy where she made not more sorrow for her unexpected death than joy to the beholders to hear and see her make so religious and godly an end her little child Thomas Rolf therefore was left at Plymouth with Sir Louis Stucley that desired the keeping of it end of section 59