Virginia Dare [pp. 585-595]

1840.] ~ i%~flia Dare or, The Co~on~ of Roano... 8
to her mistress. The hardest task yet remained;
and with a heavy heart he prepared to bid adieu to
his beloved child.
" My dear Eleanor," said he, " by consenting to
remain, you do me an invaluable service; for I
know the happy influence you exert on all around
you. Cheer the sorrowing, quiet the discontented,
and rouse the irresolute, as you have ever done.
Trust implicitly to the friendship of Manteo, and
if circumstances render Raleigh unsafe, fear not
to place yourself under the protection of his tribe, at
Croatan. Remember, my child, you are not alone;
and may God, who supports you in this hour of
trial, be ever with you."
Overpowered with his emotions, Mr. White was
unable to proceed; he kissed his little grandchild,
and clasping Eleanor in his arms, raised his eyes
imploringly to Heaven. She re-assured him by her
composure; and when the vessel that bore him
away was no longer visible, there was an expression of heroic fortitude and holy resolution on her
pale countenance, that gave it an unearthly beauty.
Without a tear she sang her little one to rest:
then intrusting it to the care of Alice, left her
dwelling and went forth to visit those who were
likewise bereaved. Her undaunted courage made
them despise their weakness, and imbibing her spirit, they prepared to meet with firmness whatever
might await them.
ed, were all that met his anxious sight. In vain
he wandered over the island in search of some
trace of the inhabitants; not a vestige remained.
The singing of sweet birds answered his despairing cries for hs r daughter, and the rich bloom seemed in mockery of his woe.
The crew impati ent to le ave the f atal spot, refused to delay, and remib arke d. As Governor
White lingered on shore befbre bid ding a final adieu,
an inscription on the bark of a tree ar rested his
attention. With eager haste he drew near: it pointed to Croatan, where he had advised his daugh ter
to seek refuge. Wi ld wi th deligh t he flew to the
ship and proclaimed his di scove ry, but the unfeeling men refused to delay until search could be made
in that direction. M r. White havi ng no means of
crossing to the island, kn ew tha t if he re mained
alone he m us t perish, without obtaining any i nformation. B roken-hearted he was o bliged to returnresolving however to obtain more efficient aid, an d
again revisit the scene. But the incessant toil and
anxiety of mind which he had undergone for the
last three years had ruined h is cons t itution, and a
week after the ship sa ile d it was evident h is mind
was unsettled. He soon became completely deranged, calling incessantly on his daughter, and
reproaching himself for permitting her to accompany him. Sir Walter Raleigh was deeply moved
at the state in which his poor friend returned, and
the most eminent physicians were consulted, but
all in vain. At length he seemed more rational,
and one evening desired to see Sir Walter. As
he sat gazing towards the west, (in the same apartment where he had first consented that Eleanor
should share his dancers) his friend entered with a
gentle step. Mr. White was so wrapt in meditation as not to observe him. When he perceived
him at his side, he pointed to the setting sun, but
could not speak. After his emotion had somewhat
subsided, taking Sir Walter's hand, he besought
him to promise never to rest until certain of the
fate of his unfortunate colony, and should Eleanor
survive, that he would cherish her as his own
child. The kind-hearted nobleman could scarcely
restrain his tears at again hearing his friend converse rationally, and solemnly vowed that he would
do as he desired. " But," he added, " do not despond, you will yet have the happiness of finding
those dear ones yourself."
" Think not of that," said Mr. W hite gently; " I
cared but little for life when first engaging in this
sad enterprise, but now, death is most welcome.
Where my daughter now is, I know not, but we
soon shall meet where sorrow cannot cloud our joy."
That night the afflicted mnan breathed his last.
True to his promises, and unbounded in his generosity, Sir Walter sent five successive times, but
could hear no tidings of the inhabitants of the City
of Raleigh. None shared the deep interest he
took in their fate: but to his last hour he declared
When Governor White arrived in England, he
found all his countrymen preparing to resist the
threatened invasion of the Spaniards. But Sir
Walter Raleigh, whose ardent spirit was still undiscouraged, listened patiently to his account of
the necessities of the colony, and fitted out, at his
own expense, two more vessels laden with supplies.
After much delay the Governor embarked, but the
crew were little interested in the object of the
voyage, and leaving the direct route to Roanoke,
went in pursuit of some rich prizes which the war
with Spain rendered it lawful to capture. After
having gained considerable booty, one of the ships
was attacked by a Spanish man-of-war, and boarded; in consequence, both were obliged to return to
England.
Sir Walter Raleigh, who had already expended
a vast sum on the various expeditions, was unable
to pursue his expensive projects, and for two years
Mr. Whi te endured the most agonizing suspense
as to the fate of his friends. WVhen at length the
Spanish Armada was vanquished, a company,
among whom was Richard Hakluyt, purchased the
patent for Virginia, and he again departed in search
of his colony and daughter. As he drew near the
calm southern seas, a sad foreboding seized his
mind; but he was not prepared for the shock which
awaited him. On arriving at the Isle of Roanoke,
a desert presented itself, and the ruins, half overgrown with grass, which can even now be discern
1840.]
Vir,inia Dare - or, The Colony of Roanoke.
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