What rests certain and praiseworthy in Smith is his thoroughness and daring
in exploration. This summer he went with fourteen others down the river in
an open boat, and so across the great bay, wide as a sea, to what is yet
called the Eastern Shore, the counties now of Accomac and Northampton.
Rounding Cape Charles these indefatigable explorers came upon islets beaten
by the Atlantic surf. These they named Smith's Islands. Landing upon the
main shore, they met "grimme and stout" savages, who took them to the King
of Accomac, and him they found civil enough. This side of the great bay,
with every creek and inlet, Smith examined and set down upon the map he was
making. Even if he could find no gold for the Council at home, at least he
would know what places were suited for "harbours and habitations." Soon a
great storm came up, and they landed again, met yet other Indians, went
farther, and were in straits for fresh water. The weather became worse;
they were in danger of shipwreck--had to bail the boat continually. Indians
gathered upon the shore and discharged flights of arrows, but were
dispersed by a volley from the muskets. The bread the English had with them
went bad. Wind and weather were adverse; three or four of the fifteen fell
ill, but recovered. The weather improved; they came to the seven-mile-wide
mouth of "Patawomeck"--the Potomac. They turned their boat up this vast
stream. For a long time they saw upon the woody banks no savages. Then
without warning they came upon ambuscades of great numbers "so strangely
painted, grimed and disguised, shouting, yelling and crying, as we rather
supposed them so many divils.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56