The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-07-21
FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS.
INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
The Colony That Vanished--The
Red, White and Blue Antisthe-
mes and the Boastful-
Youth,
The Colony That Vanished.

.ol tle QlscoVefefs, ana While IN prison
wrote a history Of the world, which
was q noted book at the time.
He had ambitious plans for
the colonization OF America, and
as he was a man of means, and at the
same time stood high at Court, hewas
permitted to find out expeditions,
which was something others could not
do for lack of funds and influence. Sir
Walters colonies did not prosper
very well, but this did not wholly dis
courage him. About the year 1887
he fitted out his third expedition, and
placed over it Captain John White,
who was noted for his bravery and
good government.
This colony was composed princi-
pally OF mechanics and farmers Just
the sort Of people to send to the New
World which shows that Raleigh
knew what was required to establish
a government in new country.
In course oftime the colony reached
the island Of Roanoke in Virginia, and
began to get ready for the winter.
Notlong after the settling OF the
place, the first little girl to be born in
the New World of white parents open
ed her eyes to the rude delights of the
settlement, and they named her ap-
propriately Virginia Dare. The chi]d's
mother was a daughter OF Governor
White, and they called her Virginia in
honor Of the land where she was born.
By and by Captain White went back
to Eng land for some necessaries of life
of which the Colony of Roanoke
stood in need. He was to return as
soon as possible; but the threatened
Spanish invasion interfered, and
many months elasped before Raleigh
and Captain White could send out
another vessel.
The captain Of this vessel, like the
captains Of many in those days, was
no better than he should have been,
and, instead Of going to the assistance
of the colony OF Roanoke, he turned
pirate and began to make war on the
Spaniards.
The sad result of the attempt to
succor his little colony grieved Sir
Walter, and while he did all he could
to save them, it was nearly three
years before Captain White found
himself sailing back to Roanoke He
longed to see the faces of those whom
he had LETT with high hopes, and to
clasp to his heart little Virginia Dare,
the first white child to open her eyes
in America.
He wondered how the colonists
had Jared, whether they had kept
friendship with the Indians, and how
they had prcspered during his long
absence.
Captain White had told his people
on Roanoke Island before leaving
them that if they ever changed their
quarters, they should leave some
traces behind which he could follow,
and thus find them in their new home.
Some OF the men with Captain White
had relatives and friends among the
colonists, and they had come out
with him to remain and make their
home at Roanoke. They had talked
over their plans in the cabin OF the
vessel while it was bearing them across
the deep, and many a castle had been
built in the air.
At last the trees that covered a
part of the island came in sight, and
everyone looked for traces Of the
buildings where the colonists had
housed themselves; but, alas, not a
house was to be seen. The colony
had disappeared.
Not daunted by this, Captain White
and his men went ashore and began
to look for traces of the colony.
They searched everywhere, and at
last discovered cut in the bark of g.
great tree near the waters edge the
word "Croatan.'' ,,@.
The mystifed men gathered round
the tree, and wondered what the
strange Indian word meant, and
when Captain White, whose heart
vas not without hope even then, an
nounced that it was a village some
distance from Roanoke all took
courage and declared that they
would find it.
"Croatan" was another island
known to Captain White and hoping
to find there the colony OF Roanoke,
he set sail for the spot.
It was an anxious voyage to all on
board the vessel, and when the head
lands Of "Croatan'' came in sight,
every eye was on the alert to catch
first sight Of the colonists; but it was
another case ofbitter disappointment,
for no sign of the settler was to be
seen. The island gave the English no
clue to the whereabouts Of their
friends, and it began to look as if the
earth had opened and swallowed the
colonists.
For weeks and even months, Cap
tain White and his men searched for
the lost colony. They wandered
among the Indian tribes, but could
obtain no information at all. They
thought that somewhere must be
news OF the fate of the colony and of
little Virginia Dare; but the longer
they searched the deeper SEEM
ed to grow this historic mys-
terry.
OF course, Captain White had to
give up the search, and when
Sir Walter Raleigh heard OF it, he
said that the colonists should be
found.
He did his best, to fulfil his declare
ton. He sent out several expedi-