Evening star., 1925-05-24

~ bordering upon it, but il is the
most important date of them
all. Before June rs, 1908, the history
of this entire portion of the New
World was dim and uncertain. The
picture is scarcely discernible at all.
After that date the sun rose steadily.
Each year the Potomac and the
great city that has arisen on its
banks have figured more prominently
In world events. Who can say the
Potomac will not some day become
more famous among historic rivers
than the Nile, the Tiber or the
Thames?
The story of that far-off dawn Of
history on the Potomac can never
hose its romantic interest. In its
main outlines it has been told many
times. But it may be interesting, as
another almost forgotten anniversary
rolls around, to call attention to some
less known facts that shed new light
on the history of that period.
Toward the middle of June 307
years ago a little band of discouraged
adventures tossed in a crazy bark
on the troubled waters of Chesapeake
Bay not far from the mouth OF the
Patapsco River. They had come
northward along the unknown east
ern shore, and but lately had crossed
over to the equally unknown western
water TO drink
Rain had soaked their little store
of bread. Their skins still hurt from
days of torture under hot June sun.
Wind and waves had buffeted their
little cra%t until their arms aChed
from Strainiug a the oars. Their
one tattered sail chung to a shaky
mast only by the help of patches
made from the shirts off their sun
burned backs.
They had started out gayly enough
on June 2, 1908, from Jamestown,
To perform voyage of discovery on
the Bay of sapeake. Their boat
of scarcely more than two tons bur
den had seemed large enough then to
houd all Is of them, including g
gentlemen, who were as yet only I'M
perfectly hardened to life in the
wilderness, Z soldiers. toughened
by many a campaign and much hard
labor, a good doctor of physicke, and
their captain, who was a host in
himself.
But u days in an open barge, with
no shelter from the freakish weather
and with rotten bread to eat and fire.
uuent suffering from thirst, were
enough to cool the ardor of the six
gallants and even to make the SOL
diers wonder what this adventure
seemed to be no end to the great bay.
SO the gallants began to importune
the captain to let them cease rowing
and sailing to the north and turn
back to the south, whence they had
come.
But their captain was stern,
hard.willed man, albeit a tactful and
a crafty commander. He was the
son of an English farmer and he bore
the homely name of John Smith
But he had been a soldier-adventurer
in Europe and Asia since he was 10
wears of age and now he was turned
%.
SOMETHING of a blusterer- at
~ times, who had an uncanny way
of getting what he went after, Capt
John Smith had lately found himself
turned into a colonist, explorer and
patriot, who was determined TO MAIN
lain the English flag in that part OF
the New World against any effort of
Spaniards to make good their claim.
Capt. Smith fixed a searching gaze
on his motley crew, when the gentle
men began to murmur. He saw they
were all sun-scorched, detected ana
draggled. But fire came into his
eyes.
Ralph Lane" he began-and then he
told them, in quick. impatient words,
how those other English colonlSts a
few wears before at Roanoke Island
who had unfortunately failed TO hold
the first English footing in the New
World, had urged their leader not 10
turn back from his voyage OF eXplora-
ton SO long as they had one dog left
to eat and sassafras leaves with
which to boil it.
Then what a shame it would be
for vou-that have been so suspicious
of my tenderneSs-to force me TO re-
turn" continued Capt. Smith, wax
ing more vehement as he proceeded,
with so much provision as we nave
and scarce able to say where we
have been, nor yet heard OF thal we
were sent to seek?
Every one of them he challenged to
say that he had not shared the worst
hardships of the voyage. He ridlculed
their fear that they would be swal-
lowed up in those unknown waters
and called it childish. Besides. he in
sisted, it would be just as dangerous
to return as to go ahead.
Regain therefore, your old
spirits" he urged them, with fine
displav of his own high resolve, for
return l will not, if God please, till
I have seen the Massawomeks, found
Patawomek. or the head of this water
you conceive TO be endless.
Thus amonished, bullied. or per-
shaded against their willS-as you
choose to consider 1.-THE IA men
obeved their captain. For two or
three days more they worked the little
hoat farther northWard along the
western shore of Chesapeake Bay.
They had reached a point some miles
north of the Patapsco River When
another spell of adverse weather was
encountered and several OF the crew
fell sick.
Then Capt John Smith, who had re-
fused to listen to the weak com
plants of the faint-hearted, yielded TO
the pleadings of the sick he turned
the bow of the barge to the South.
And then, at last, as if the elements
had merely been waiting for some
great event, the weather cleared. The
men recovered from their illness. 81
multaneously the clouds rolled away
from their mental vision. Once more
they were care-free explorers in an
unknown land-impelled by that age
old desire to behold what no man-at
least no white man-had ever oeheiu
beforehand thrilled by the romance
and adventure of it ALL
I,MOST Immediately they were re-
"A warded for all they had under
gone They came to the wide mouth of
a deep and beautiful river, which en-
tered the bay from the west. With ex-
pressions of delight they turned their
boat into the great estuary of stream
that was destined to engrave its name
indelibly on the pages OIL the World
history.
Thev had discovered the Potomac