He went to sea in the queen's ships and showed that he was a good sailor. He fought in battles for his country and proved that he was a fine soldier. He read many books and wrote beautiful poems. In those times, or any other times, it would be hard to find a better, braver, finer gentleman than Walter Raleigh. For many years the English people had given little thought to America. When they found John Cabot did not discover a short way to India, they lost interest in the New World. Walter Raleigh, however, did not think like the rest of his people. "O Queen," he said to Elizabeth, "you are a great ruler. But you could become more powerful still. Why do you not claim some of that land across the great ocean before Spain seizes all of it? We have learned from sea captains who have been there lately that it is rich in beautiful woods and many other good things." Raleigh hated the Spaniards and had already fought against them in the wars. He knew they were settled in Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. He did not wish them to get hold of the rest of America. Neither he nor Elizabeth, however, dreamed of the great size of the country. "I will fit out some ships," the queen answered, "and you may send people to settle on the land which I will give you in America." Two ships were made ready. The men who sailed in them did not plan to settle in America. They went only to look around and find a good place where settlers could come afterward. They landed on different islands near the shores of the mainland. It was farther north than Florida. The air was warm and pleasant. The explorers found many fine trees of oak and cedar. Grapes and melons, corn and peas, were plentiful. The Indians whom they met seemed willing to be friends. They admired the white skins of their visitors and brought presents to them. The white men gave them beads and other cheap ornaments. The Englishmen stayed among them for several weeks. The Indian women made feasts for their visitors and bathed their feet and washed their clothes. The time came at last when the white men said: "We must go back to England and tell about this beautiful country. We will take home some furs and skins and we will carry a bracelet of pearls to Walter Raleigh." How his eyes must have sparkled at the sight of the pearls! They were as large as peas. "The Indian women wear such pearls as ornaments," the sailors said. "The men often go about with reeds in their mouths. Bowls of walnut shell are fastened to these reeds and filled with the dried leaves of a strange plant. Then the Indians set the leaves on fire. They suck the smoke through the reeds and blow it out of their mouths. They seem to take great pleasure in doing this." The sailors were speaking of the tobacco plant and the smoking of its leaves. They had never seen either before. [Illustration: THE ENGLISH TRADING WITH THE INDIANS] Elizabeth was much pleased with what she heard. She said: