CHAPTER III
THE SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA
England laid claim to the continent of North America by virtue of the discoveries of John Cabot in 1497, but little effort was made toward colonization until 1584, when an expedition sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh explored Albemarle Sound and the adjacent coast, and brought back so glowing a description of the country that Elizabeth named the whole region Virginia, in honor of her maidenhood. An abortive attempt to settle Roanoke Island was made in 1585, and in 1587 another expedition under John White landed there. White returned to England in the fall to represent the needs of the settlement, leaving behind him his daughter and little granddaughter,—Virginia Dare, the first white child born in America. He promised to return within a year, but was intercepted by Spaniards, and it was not until August, 1590, that he again dropped anchor off the island. When he went ashore next day, not a trace of the colonists could be found, nor was their fate ever certainly discovered.
THE MYSTERY OF CRO-A-TÀN
I
[August 27, 1587]
The home-bound ship stood out to sea,
And on the island's marge,
Sir Richard waited restlessly
To step into the barge.
"The Governor tarrieth long," he chode,
"As he were loth to go:
With food before, and want behind,
There should be haste, I trow."
Even as he spake, the Governor came:—
"Nay, fret not, for the men
Have held me back with frantic let,
To have them home again.
"The women weep;—'Ay, ay, the ship
Will come again' (he saith),
'Before the May;—Before the May
We shall have starved to death!'
"I've sworn return by God's dear leave,
I've vowed by court and crown,
Nor yet appeased them. Comrade, thou,
Mayhap, canst soothe them down."