The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-03-16

ness. and swsarins: tn short. abhor.
ring all things that smAcked Of ire
ligion, and Of most devotional turn
OF mind; 20 much 20 that one OF tne
sights Of the cabin was to see this
great bearded man ut his prayers.
which wa . subject OF inhnito Jest
and merriment with some OF our com.
pany, until Smith declared that n
they interrupted him more he would
surely slit their threats for them.
From Smith learned Of the launch
Ing Of the company. He told me that
he had given above two years TO this
enterprise, and had staked . good
part Of his small estate on the success
Of the venture. A thing he was espe
cially bitter about. however. was the
manner In which the English council
had organised us, or. to say truer. not
organized US at all, since we were
without head. We had even set sail
from England without knowing who
was to be governor Of the colony
when II should be established. for the
London company In Its wisdom had
given us our instructions In q sealed
box. with strict command that the
seals should not be disturbed ,until
we landed In Virginia: then only
should we know who was chosen to
rule over us.
The utter folly of this Smith was
never weary of denouncing. for Il
practically left Us out of bounds unttl
our destination should be reached.
The Immediate result of this was en-.
tire confusion: each man felt himself
= III HA11Axas ctr 40 he
|of the rank Of gentleman he might
reasonably aspire. II not to the gov.
ernorship, at least to place In the
Virginia council.
coulS readily understand how this
lack of all proper discipline was
enough to gall . soldier such as my
friend. who was well at outs with the
more lawless Of our adventurers In
consequence Of his seeking to enforce
q certain amount Of order for the
general good. AZ he never said less
than he thought, bis downright speech
and open candour earned him plenty
Of enemies In the crowded cabin. Yet
when vsntured TO hint at this, and
that little tact might serve his pur.
pose, he capped me on the back In
that free way OF his, and his loud
laugh issued from his bearded lips.
wait until we get ashore, Dick, and
you shall see me lay the law to some
Of these nne gentlemen. Before We
sailed I had the assurance Of Sir
George Somers and Richard Hackluyt.
weighty men In the London company
should be given some recognition
ashore; at the least, this will mean
place In the council; 40 much a.
that have q right to expect"
I had told Smith something OF the
disfavor In which he was held be-
cause of his outspokenness: yet I
could not tell him there were those
who did not hesitate to cay that he
vas liar Of the Arst magnitude. and
that he vas utterly Sven over to bonn
best and oonceit; but his critics did
him wrong. for he was really neither
vain nor boastful: he was merely q
man Of sturdy faith. and deep, full
enthusiasms. Later, In the face Of
what he accomplished for our good
IN Virginia, even his enemies came
to juster understanding Of him.
One thing which observed with
not little amusement was this: that
though he was ono Of tho youngest
of those aboard the Susan Constant,
who, because of their forwardness IN
launching the company, had q right
to Be counted Of prime importance,
yet Of all he was the one oftenest
quoted: and. to the very last, remain.
cd the most discussed and the most
abused man on shipboard.
For all Of Smiths befriending, Il
passed many lonely hours on that
crowded ship. doubted not that
long before could return to England
Mary and the household at Danes
Hill farm would give me up for dead,
and this conviction all but drove me
mad. Besides had no assurance that
I would be permitted to return with
Captain Newport; It would rest with
the Virginia council TO pass on that
point, and 90 yet no one knew Of
whom this council would consist.
Contrary winds continued to battle