Part 6 (2/2)
While the s.h.i.+ps were being unladen, a fierce storm broke. Winds roared and demons stirred up waterspouts that reached to the sky. The demons threw men from the decks into the sea. Tore down the hills near the sh.o.r.e and flung up new ones. Smashed s.h.i.+ps against the shoals and sent them under the waves. Men and women with skin as black as charred wood washed onto the sand. They were slaves taken by the captain in a far land. The storm lasted three days.
Ralf-lane decided to leave the island. Everything useful was brought to the remaining s.h.i.+ps when the angry winds rose again. John-white's drawings flew into the waves. Also the basket of pearls for Kwin-lissa-bet. I was aboard the Francis Francis when the spirits spewed it from the tempest onto a calm sea. There were men who never made it to the s.h.i.+ps and were left behind. when the spirits spewed it from the tempest onto a calm sea. There were men who never made it to the s.h.i.+ps and were left behind.
The captain studied his maps to determine where the winds had come from. But I already knew. Wingina's powerful conjurors had raised the storms that drove away the English. In this manner they avenged the death of their weroance. I began to wonder if the montoac of the natives was stronger than that of the English after all.
Was it a mistake for me to have befriended the English? Would I be punished for it? At least the G.o.ds had allowed me to survive. For now.
Chapter 12.
From the Papers of Sir Walter Ralegh A Letter from Lady Catherine Sir Walter, I have made a poem for Her Majesty, which I copy here for your eyes also. (It is not the one you composed, but one that befits my humbler state.) It is crammed with fine praise, and I am pleased with the rhyme. Thus: As that new domain, the VIRGIN land, One part of your kingdom, submits to you; So I, one maid, from mine own hand Submit this praise that is your due: All desire but few deserve A place in your affection.
All I seek is but to serve You, joying in my election.
My life I trust you to preserve By granting your protection.
And when from pleasing you I swerve, I beg for your correction.
A poem is a powerful thing, I find. What my tears and pleas did not accomplish, my verses did. She calls me her Cat again! I purr! I am content, save for one thing I lack: your love.Alas I, too, find it is easier to write my feelings than to speak them.Your affectionateCat. Archer What does she mean by that last sentence? Does she accuse me? Why should one speak words, when actions will do more? Is writing not an action?
My Catherine pretends humility, yet is proud of her verses. They are indeed pa.s.sable. Amazing, that a maid should show a poet's wit! I like her even better.
Memorandum 30 July 1586. Sir Francis Drake has docked in Plymouth with half his fleet, some cargo pillaged from Spanish colonies in Florida, and all my colonists.
d.a.m.n Ralph Lane. I never gave permission for him to leave the island, or his pack of sorry dogs, slinking home with their tails between their legs. What fears did Drake, that dandified pirate, arouse to make him abandon all our efforts there? Lane protested he had been abandoned without supplies. But on the first of May I dispatched Grenville with a relief s.h.i.+p. d.a.m.n him, too, for sailing around robbing Spanish frigates for his own profit! The delay has cost me my colony.
The queen is angry with Grenville and with Lane, whom she has dismissed from her service. The fool Tarleton, drawn like a vulture to carnage, mocked their failure in Virginia-and my own. ”They are no men, if a hundred of them cannot subdue a single virgin, but run away when she throws a tempest.”
10 August 1586Dear brother Carew,By now you have no doubt heard of my setback. Rea.s.sure our investors they have not been defrauded. Do not heed the malicious reports of those disgruntled men who magnify the dangers of Virginia. No worthwhile enterprise is without risk, and those who take chances most deserve to be rewarded.Thomas Harriot still has a favorable view of our prospects for success, citing the many resources, including the healthful uppowoc uppowoc (which the Spanish call tobacco). He has no doubt that in time even greater riches will be discovered-if not by us, then by Spain. (which the Spanish call tobacco). He has no doubt that in time even greater riches will be discovered-if not by us, then by Spain.He is writing a treatise and John White works on his drawings. Those that survived the storm strike the mind with their strangeness, yet convey our common humanity. My favorite is the depiction of a dancing conjuror, who but for his nakedness resembles d.i.c.k Tarleton. When published, Harriot's report and White's drawings will induce more men to try their fortunes in that land of wonders.For true it is that the appet.i.te for newness is never sated. Fas.h.i.+ons change with the wind, and anything exotic is desired by all the moment it appears. Thus I may yet hope that my Virginia, a blus.h.i.+ng maid dressed all in feathers and furs, will attract many suitors.Your brother, Walter ...
Memorandum Concerning Manteo. I did not expect to find such worthiness in one of the savages of Virginia, but Manteo daily surprises me with his excellent judgment and quick mind. His command of our tongue is better than a Frenchman's, and happily he lacks their affectation of speaking through the nose. I did not expect to find such worthiness in one of the savages of Virginia, but Manteo daily surprises me with his excellent judgment and quick mind. His command of our tongue is better than a Frenchman's, and happily he lacks their affectation of speaking through the nose.
Concerning the Indians and the best means of governing them, he concedes they are divided by long-standing grudges and their alliances s.h.i.+ft constantly.
”Do they understand their prosperity depends on their submission to the English queen and her deputies?” I asked.
Manteo hesitated. ”We understand laws that are just. We understand the English are very powerful.”
I said I was angry at Lane for the killing of Wingina and asked if he thought it had been justified.
Manteo thought before replying, for it was his nature to be circ.u.mspect.
”It is better to be feared than loved, so I have heard.”
I was astonished to hear him quoting Machiavelli like a statesman. Harriot's lessons have been wide-ranging indeed.
The business of diplomacy had made me crave a pipe, so I asked Manteo if he had some of that uppowoc. Smiling, he produced two pipes and placed some shredded leaves into their bowls. We lit them and drank in the fragrant smoke. I could feel the ill humors being purged from my body. a.s.suredly my next voyage will meet with more success.
A dream. I saw my Catherine with the stem of a pipe in her mouth. The pipe became my fingers touching her puckered lips as we breathed together the ambrosial smoke. Like the Indian women in John White's drawings, she wore an ap.r.o.n of deerskin at her waist and nothing more. Her long black hair fell forward, hiding nature's twin delights. I started up in my bed and the vision fled. Dismayed, I arose and wrote her a pa.s.sionate letter, for I could not confine my thoughts within a verse. I saw my Catherine with the stem of a pipe in her mouth. The pipe became my fingers touching her puckered lips as we breathed together the ambrosial smoke. Like the Indian women in John White's drawings, she wore an ap.r.o.n of deerskin at her waist and nothing more. Her long black hair fell forward, hiding nature's twin delights. I started up in my bed and the vision fled. Dismayed, I arose and wrote her a pa.s.sionate letter, for I could not confine my thoughts within a verse.
1 September 1586. Another plot to kill Elizabeth has been uncovered by Walsingham's network of spies. The king of Spain and the Jesuits promoted it and Anthony Babington-a known papist-was to carry out the deed. Fourteen others stand accused of treason. An intercepted letter proves that Queen Mary endorsed the plot. At last she will be tried for her treason. As for Babington, he lies in the Tower awaiting his due: hanging and disembowelment.
10 September 1586. Now some whisper the evidence against Mary was forged and Babington framed. Indeed, why would Babington turn traitor? He has too much to lose: lands, t.i.tle, all his wealth-which the queen will now certainly give to Walsingham.
15 September 1586To John WhitePainter-Stainers Guildhouse, LondonI request your attendance at Durham House to discuss your role in a proposed third voyage to Virginia. You know Grenville landed at Roanoke just after your departure in the hurricane and left fifteen men to defend the fort. Their numbers must be reinforced at the earliest opportunity.Thomas Harriot and the savage Manteo affirm you are a man more disposed to peaceful understanding of the natives than to violence against them. As well, they testify to your love for Virginia, which favorably distinguishes you from those malcontents who complain about the hards.h.i.+ps there.The queen requires my service in her lawless counties of southern Ireland. Thus while my own ambitions tend toward Virginia, I must obey Her Majesty, on whom all our lives and fortunes depend. May G.o.d continue to preserve her.Yours sincerely,Sir Walter Ralegh
Chapter 13.
Bold Dreams Sir Walter's amorous letter set my cheeks on fire. I cannot imagine wearing a deerskin about my waist. What gives men such thoughts?
I hid the letter among the others tied in the wrinkled handkerchief. I had stopped thinking of it as the queen's handkerchief, or even Ralegh's. It was mine, a token of his love. The queen had Sir Walter's loyalty, but his heart was given to me. Mine was the memory of his kiss, his hands touching my hair and face. And mine was the knowledge of his secret ambition to rule Virginia himself.
How hard it was to keep this all within me! Not to betray, by a slipped word or letter carelessly laid, that I loved Sir Walter. No doubt everyone thought my happiness resulted from being in the queen's graces again. Anne, however, was still out of favor and aggrieved because of it.
”It's not fair that Elizabeth should forgive you and not me,” she complained one day as we sat in the gallery with our embroidery. ”I have served her longer, and we are cousins.” She stabbed at the cloth with her needle.
”But she she is the queen's Cat,” Frances said, narrowing her eyes at me. ”Don't you know you can throw a cat from a wall and she will always land on her feet?” is the queen's Cat,” Frances said, narrowing her eyes at me. ”Don't you know you can throw a cat from a wall and she will always land on her feet?”
”What are you jealous of, Frances?” Emme said. ”You have the queen's ear.”
”Yes, and I'll wager you have shared more confidences than any of Walsingham's spies,” I said. ”Whatever you disapprove of, you cannot help but reveal.”
Anne turned to Frances. ”Was it you who turned the queen against Thomas Graham?” she accused.
Frances did not even look up from her needlework. ”Why do you blame me? Do you think she didn't know about you and Graham already? Anyone with eyes could see you were in love with him.”
”Just be warned,” said Anne, her eyes flas.h.i.+ng. ”If either of you dares to take a lover, I will tell the queen and see that you suffer as I do!”
”Catherine is the one you ought to watch,” said Frances coolly. ”She is often distracted, and I have heard her reciting poetry when she is alone. She must be thinking of a secret love.”
I felt my pulse quicken. Again I wondered what Frances knew about Sir Walter and me. But I would not bear her smug teasing.
”Don't bother to watch Frances,” I said to Anne. ”No man will ever fall in love with her.” I tossed aside my needlework and left the gallery.
Later I complained to Emme, ”I am weary of these games we play with each other.”
”You could endure them before you fell in love with Sir Walter,” she said.
”Hus.h.!.+ I am not not in love with him,” I lied. ”He only helped me write some verses for the queen.” in love with him,” I lied. ”He only helped me write some verses for the queen.”
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