The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 5, May, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 5, May, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
'After they had been divers times aboard our vessels, myself with
seven others went twenty miles into the river that runs toward the
city of Skicoak, which river they call Occum, and the evening
following, we came to an island which they call Roanoke, distant
from the harbor by which we entered seven leagues. At the north
end thereof was a village of nine houses, built of cedar and
fortified round about with sharp trees, to keep out their enemies;
and the entrance into it made like a turnpike, very artificially.
When we came toward it, standing near unto the water side, the
wife of Grangamimeo, the king's brother, came running out to meet
us very cheerfully and friendly; her husband was not then in the
village. Some of her people she commanded to draw our boat on
shore; others she appointed to carry us on their backs to the dry
ground, and others to bring our oars into the house, for fear of
stealing. When we were come to the outer room, having five rooms
in her house, she caused us to sit down by a great fire, and
afterward took off our clothes and washed them and dried them
again. Some of the women washed our feet in warm water, and she
took great pains to see all things ordered in the best manner,
making great haste to dress some meat for us to eat. After we had
dried ourselves, she brought us into the inner room, when she sat
on the board standing alongside the house, and placed before us
some wheat fermented, sodden venison, and fish, sodden, boiled,
and roasted, melons, raw and sodden, roots of divers kinds, and
fruits. We were entertained with all love and kindness, and with
as much bounty as we could possibly desire. We found these people
most gentle, loving, and faithful; void of all guile and treason,
and such as live after the manner of the golden age.'
'Beyond this island, called Roanoke, a main stands, very plentiful
in fruits and other natural increase, together with many towns and
villages alongside the continent, some bordering upon the islands,
and some standing further into the land.'
'When we first had sight of this country, some thought the first
land we saw to be a continent; but after we entered into the
haven, we saw before us another mighty long sea, for there lieth
along the coast a tract of island two hundred miles in extent.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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