It seemed to please this great soldier that I could do what few
of the lads in that day had been taught to master, and, without
further ado, he said to me boldly:

"You shall journey into Virginia with me, an' it please you, lad.
What is more, I will take upon myself the charge of outfitting you,
and time shall tell whether you have enough of manliness in you to
repay me the cost."

Then it was that Nathaniel raised his voice; but the captain gave
him no satisfaction, declaring it was the duty of a true lad to
stand by his mother, and that he would lend his aid to none who
had a home, and in it those who cared for him.

I could have talked with this brave soldier until the night had
come, and would never have wearied of asking concerning what might
be found in that new world of Virginia; but it so chanced that when
the business was thus far advanced, the apprentices were done with
striving to break each other's heads, and Captain Smith, bidding
me come to his house next morning, went his way.



THE PLANS OF THE LONDON COMPANY


Then it was that Nathaniel declared he also would go on the voyage
to Virginia, whether it pleased Captain Smith or no, and I, who
should have set my face against his running away from home, spoke
no word to oppose him, because it would please me to have him as