He had not walked far when lo! he saw Queen Elizabeth coming that way. The ladies of her court were with her. Suddenly the queen stopped. A pool of muddy water stood in her pathway, for a shower had fallen only a short time before.
What should she do? The queen stopped to think how she could keep from wetting her dainty shoes.
No sooner had she done this than Walter Raleigh stepped forward, threw off his rich cloak, and spread it over the pool. A dry way was thus made for the queen to pass over.
She turned to the young man and, thanking him, gave him a sweet smile. Then she went on her way, but she did not forget him. She asked her ladies his name. When he afterwards appeared at court she was ready to show him kindness.
She found that Walter Raleigh was not only a true gentleman, but that he was also brave and wise.
He went to sea in the queen's ships and showed that he was a good sailor. He fought in battles for his country and proved that he was a fine soldier. He read many books and wrote beautiful poems. In those times, or any other times, it would be hard to find a better, braver, finer gentleman than Walter Raleigh.
For many years the English people had given little thought to America. When they found John Cabot did not discover a short way to India, they lost interest in the New World.
Walter Raleigh, however, did not think like the rest of his people.
"O Queen," he said to Elizabeth, "you are a great ruler. But you could become more powerful still. Why do you not claim some of that land across the great ocean before Spain seizes all of it? We have learned from sea captains who have been there lately that it is rich in beautiful woods and many other good things."