“This is the Deuce of a cold place for a colony,” they said. “Home to Merrie England!”
Gilbert was forced to yield to their angry demands, and re-embarked.
“Don’t sail in that rattle-trap of a Squirrel,” said his officers to him. “She’ll founder!”
But Sir Humphrey had that obstinacy which characterized General Braddock.
“No: I will not forsake the little company, going homeward,” said he. “I’ll stick to my ship.”
He stuck—and—when they hailed him one stormy night, he said:
“Be of good cheer, my friends: we are as near to Heaven by sea as by land!”
That night the Squirrel was sailing a little in advance of the other ships, and, as those on board the Golden Hind watched the frail barque, they saw her lurch, heave, and then sink from view. Thus the soul of brave Raleigh’s kinsman found a watery grave. He had paid for his obstinacy with his life.
Raleigh was overwhelmed with grief when he learned of the death of his heroic half-brother.
“I’ll yet found my Colony,” said he. “And I’ll go myself.”