" The end and upshot was that none could see other
course than to abandon the country. England-in-America had tried and
failed, and had tried again and failed. God, or the course of Nature, or
the current of History was against her. Perhaps in time stronger forces and
other attempts might yet issue from England. But now the hour had come to
say farewell!
Upon the bosom of the river swung two pinnaces, the Discovery and the
Virginia, left by the departing ships months before, and the Deliverance
and the Patience, the Bermuda pinnaces. Thus the English abandoned the
little town that was but three years old. Aboard the four small ships they
went, and down the broad river, between the flowery shores, they sailed away.
Doubtless under the trees on either hand were Indians watching this retreat of
the invaders of their forests. The plan of the departing colonists was to turn
north, when they had reached the sea, and make for Newfoundland, where they
might perhaps meet with English fishing ships. So they sailed down the river,
and doubtless many hearts were heavy and sad, but others doubtless were full
of joy and thankfulness to be going back to an older home than Virginia.
The river broadened toward Chesapeake--and then, before them, what did they
see? What deliverance for those who had held on to the uttermost? They saw
the long boat of an English ship coming toward them with flashing oars,
bringing news of comfort and relief. There, indeed, off Point Comfort lay
three ships, the De La Warr, the Blessing, and the Hercules, and they
brought, with a good company and good stores, Sir Thomas West, Lord De La
Warr, appointed, over Gates, Lord Governor and CaptainGeneral, by land and
sea, of the Colony of Virginia.
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