hey sailed by the Canaries and West Indies; and while in full route, the
dissensions among the great men raged so furiously that Captain John
Smith was seized and committed to close confinement on the false charge
that he intended to murder the council and make himself King of Virginia.
Arriving at length near the coast of America, their false reckoning kept
them in suspense so alarming that Ratcliffe, commander of one of the
barks, was anxious to bear away again for England.

But heaven, by its storms, contributed more to the settlements of
Virginia than men by their infatuated counsels (1607). A furious tempest
drove them all night under bare poles, and on April 26th they saw before
them the broad inlet into the Bay of Chesapeake. The cape to the south
they honored with the name of Henry, from the Prince of Wales, a noble
youth, whose character gave the fairest promise of a career of
high-souled action, whose love to Raleigh was only succeeded by his
father's hatred, and whose early death gave England cause for unaffected
mourning. The northern headland was called Charles, from the King's
second son, who afterward succeeded to his throne.

As they passed the first cape a desire for recreation possessed them--and
thirty, without arms, went on shore; but they were soon attacked by five
savages, and two of the English were dangerously hurt. This inhospitable
treatment promised but little for future peace. The sealed box was now
opened, and it was found that Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward
Maria Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin, and
George Kendall were named as members of the Provincial Council.

Sailing leisurely up the beautiful expanse of water to which the Indians
had given a name that Europeans have never violated, the voyagers were
charmed with the prospect before them. The season was mild, and nature
had fully assumed that emerald robe of spring. On either side the distant
land presented a scene of tranquil verdure, upon which the eye might
rejoice to repose. The noble bay received into its bosom the waters of
many broad streams, which descended from the highlands faintly visible in
the dim horizon. Green islands saluted them at times as they advanced and
invited their approach by their peaceful loveliness.

At length they reached the mouth of the magnificent river, that tempted
them too strongly to be resisted. This was the "Powhatan" of the Indians;
and no true lover of Virgin