rthward. It was hoped, however, that Sir Thomas Gates, aided by the
energetic admiral, would bring things into better order.

The spirits of those who left England with bright hopes of soon becoming
possessors of magnificent estates in the New World were thus at a low
ebb, and had they not either embarked all their property in the
enterprise or come out because they possessed none in England, the
greater number of the settlers would ere this have returned. Vaughan
and Roger had completely recovered from their hurts, and even the chief
Canochet, though so severely wounded, was almost well again. He had
been offered his liberty, but he replied that after having been so
mercifully treated by the English he would not leave them till he had
learned more of their language and religion. In this he was especially
instructed by good Master Hunt, the chaplain, who had ever proved
himself a friend to the Indians, and to his own countrymen, whose
unseemly disputes he had been instrumental in settling.

Vaughan and Gilbert, having seen their mother established in her new
home, were eager to set out in search of their father. She, however,
knowing the dangers to which they would be exposed, was very unwilling
to let them go until they had become somewhat acquainted with the
language of the natives and the nature of the country. The two seamen,
Tarbox and Flowers declared their belief that the spot where they had
taken Batten on board was less than fifty miles to the north of the
entrance to James River, and that consequently the place where he had
met Captain Audley could not be much farther off than that distance from
James Town. Captain Layton, however, who examined the men, was somewhat
doubtful of the accuracy of their statements; still, although the
distance might really be very much greater, he hoped in time by means of
friendly Indians to hear if a white man was living with any of the
tribes in that direction. At present no one in the settlement possessed
a sufficient knowledge of the interior of the country to lead a party,
especially among savages who would probably prove hostile. Roger and
Gilbert wished to set out by themselves, but Captain Layton positively
forbade his son going, and Mistress Audley, by his advice, put the same
prohibition on Gilbert. They had therefore to restrain their
impatience; Mistress Audley praying that God in His good providence
would in time point out the way by which their object migh