ever, in contriving the means of escape from this desperate situation. He was employed in threshing at a barn, in a large field, about a league from the house of his new master;' and the latter came daily to overlook his work, and treat him with abusive language: this he not unfrequently followed up with kicks and blows, and these were more than Smith could bear. He watched an opportunity one day, when no third person was present, and levelled a stroke at the bashaw with his flail, which stunned, if it did not kill him.

He then hid the body in the straw, and, shutting the barn door, he filled a bag with grain, mounted the bashaw's horse, and betook himself, with all possible despatch, to the desert. There he wandered two or three days, ignorant of the way, but was so fortunate as not to meet with a single person who might give information of his flight.

At length, he came to a post, erected in a crossroad, by the marks on which he found his way to Moscovy. In sixteen days, he arrived at Exapolis, on the river Don, where was a Russian garrison. Here, the commander, understanding that he was a Christian, received him kindly, took off his iron collar, and gave him letters and passports. These, with the generous assistance of old friends, whom he fell in with on his route through Germany, France and Spain, enabled him to complete his travels. He returned to England in a year or two, with one thousand ducats in his pocket.

C*

I have thus given you some account of this very extraordinary man. I do not mean to recommend his example to you, for I think he would have done better to have remained at home, and pursued some honest calling, than to have enlisted in a foreign army, and fought battles with the Turks. But we must remember that all this happened more than two hundred years ago, when such bold characters were much more highly esteemed and encouraged than they are now. I have told you his story, that you may know something of the individual whom I shall soon introduce to you as exercising great influence in the settlement of Virginia.

CHAPTER VII.

Departure of a new Expedition from England. Arrival on the Virginian Coast. The Country is partially explored. Adventures with the Natives. A Settlement is commenced at Jamestown. It is assaulted by the Indians, who are repulsed. Smith is honorably acquitted of the Charges brought against him. Captain Newport sails for England.

SMITH was persuaded by Gosnold, as I have told you before, to embark with the new colonists for Virginia. The merchants concerned in this enterprise, had provided three vessels: the command of them, with the care of transporting the colonists,

was intrusted to Christopher Newport, a seaman who had distinguished himself in the Spanish war. "

The little squadron sailed from the Thames on the 19th of December, 1606, and proceeded in the old route by the Canaries, where they watered. During their stay here, violent dissensions arose among the adventurers, occasioned by envy of Smith. The result was, that he was put under arrest on the absurd charge of an intention to murder the " council," and make himself king of Virginia. Smith had no more idea of all this than of being king of England; but he was, nevertheless, jealously watched, and kept closely confined during the rest of the voyage.

Having touched at the Caribbee islands, on their way, for the purposes of trade and refreshment, they entered the great Chesapeake bay on the 26th of April, 1607. They called the first land which they approached "cape Henry." Here, as thirty of the sailors were recreating themselves on the shore, they were suddenly assaulted by five savages, who wounded two of their number dangerously, and escaped.

That night, the box which contained their sealed instructions, mentioned before, was broken open. It was found that seven of the chief colonists were appointed counsellors, of whom Smith was one. He was not, however, allowed the honor intended him by the king's appointment; but the other six proceeded to choose one of their number, Mr

Wingfield, president of the council. They then entered on their records the ridiculous reasons why Smith was rejected, and of which you will learn more hereafter.

They named the northern point of the bay" cape Charles," in honor of a son of King James, who was afterwards king himself. Every object which met their eyes, as they sailed up the broad and shining bo som of the great Chesapeake, excited their imaginations and their hopes. The banks of the bay, upon all sides, as far as sight could reach, were covered with the fresh, green beauty of spring.

There were large and majestic navigable rivers, and between them a variety of mountains, plains and valleys, stretching far away in the distance. Bright rivulets came dashing down the hills, and fell into the bay. Innumerable birds sported and sang in the green woods upon the shore and the islands; the fish leaped from the sunny waters around them; and all nature seemed to welcome the coming of the new colony with smiles.

Whilst engaged in seeking a proper site for the first settlement, they met five of the natives, who invited them to their town, Kecoughtan, which was situated where Hampton now stands. Here the English were feasted with cakes made of Indian corn, and regaled with tobacco and an Indian dance. In return, they presented the natives with beads and other trinkets. As they sailed farther up the bay, another Indian party appeared in arms on