The life and adventures of Captain John Smith : comprising an account of his travels in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Also, the early history of Virginia and New England, including sketches of Pocahontas, Powhatan, Opechancanough, and other distinguished characters. Principally compiled from his own works

Front matter

Arrington

Collection of 19th Century Americana

Brigham Young University Library

CHAPTER I. T\an

Birth and Parentage of Smith-— Propensity for Adventure — Death of his Father — Apprenticed to a Merchant — Clandestine Trip to France — War in the Netherlands — Visits Scotland— Turns Hermit— Tries his Fortune again in France — Is thrown into the Sea — His Rescue — Desperate Encounter and Victory-Immense Booty, 13

Chapter II

Smith travels in Italy and the South of Europe— Enters the Emperor’s Service — Ingenious Telegraph — Success at Olympach — Smith’s Promotion — Siege of Alba Regalis — Efficiency of the Fiery Dragons — the Christians Victorious — Battle of Girke — Death of Duke Mercury, 21

Chapter III

Smith enlists with Meldritch in the Service of Sigismund — Regall Besieged — Challenge from the Turks — Smith slays Three in Single Combat — Both Armies finally Encounter— the Christians again Victorious— Honors and Pension to Smith, ...... 32

Chapter IV

Sigismund concludes a Treaty of Peace — Transfer of the Army — Revolt of Wallachia — Defeat of the Rebels with Great Slaughter — Encounter with the Tartars— “A Pretty Stratagem” by Smith — Battle of Rotenton — Prowess of Smith — His Wounds, Capture, and Slavery— Charatza Tragabigzanda — Kills his Master — Escapes — Diploma of his Honors — Visits Africa — Desperate Engagement at Sea— Returns to England— Muley Hamet— Lions, . 39

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Y. PAGK

American Settlements in Embryo — Smith and Gosnold plan an Expedition — Company Formed, and Letters Patent granted — Newport selected to command the Vessels — The Colonists leave England — Early Dissensions — Smith made a Prisoner — Arrival — Landing — Council — James River — Explorations — Natives — Site for Town, . 61

Chapter VI

The Council inaugurated, and Smith excluded — Wingfield elected as President — Magnanimity of Smith — Remarks on the Position and Character of the Colonists — Busy Scenes of clearing away the Forest, devising a Fort, and building Habitations — Smith’s Perilous Surveying Expedition — Number of Tribes ascertained — Courteous Reception by Powhatan — Jamestown attacked, and the Enemy repulsed, 70

C H APTER VII.

Smith demands a Trial : Honorable Results — Newport sails for England — Scarcity of Provisions — Sickness — Injustice of Wingfield, who is deposed, and RatclifFe elected in his place — Smith’s Diligence in providing for the Settlers : His Explorations and Discoveries — Conspiracy of Wingfield and Kendall defeated — Encounter with Opechancanough — Exploits and Capture of Smith : His Remarkable Adventures among the Savages : their Wonder excited by his Feats of “ Sorcery ”

— Jamestown saved through his Efforts — The Indian’s Idea of Gunpowder — Powhatan dooms Smith to Death — Pocahontas preserves his Life — Curious Attempt to Frighten Smith : his Return to Jamestown, .... 74

Chapter VIII

Smith’s Artifice-— Another Revolt — Trade with the Indians — Arrival of Newport — Nelson’s Escape from Shipwreck — Envy and Improvidence of Newport and his Company — Presents to Powhatan : his Cunning Device for Trad-

CONTENTS.

PAGE

ing : Circumvented by Smith’s Blue Beads — Successful Traffic with Opechancanough — Destructive Conflagration at Jamestown — Mismanagement of Supplies — “ Sect of Gold-finders” — Wing-field and Archer sent home to England — Arrival of Captain Nelson— Insolence of the Indians punished, 89

Chapter IX

Departure of Nelson — Exploration of Chesapeake Bay — Visits to Various Indian Tribes — Discontent among the Crew — Discovery of the Potomac — Severe Accident to Smith from a Stingray — Return to Jamestown — Ratcliffe deposed, and Smith elected President : He appoints Scrivener his substitute — Another Exploring Expedition— the Massawomeks, Tockwoghs, Susquesahanocks, Rappahanocks, Maraughtacunds, Mannahocks, and other Indian Tribes — Numerous Adventures and Narrow Escapes — Return to Jamestown, ..... 100

Chapter X

Smith consents to administer the Government — Arrival of Newport with a Crown and other Absurd Gifts for Powhatan — Smith opposes his Course, but is Overruled : Visits Powhatan, who finally submits to a Coronation— Newport’s Unfortunate Expedition to the Manakins — Novel Remedy for Profanity— Smith’s Success in procuring Corn : Plot to Injure him Overthrown —Newport and his Mariners the Source of much Mischief and Misrepresentation— Complaints of the Council in England— Smith’s Rejoinder, 121

Chapter XI

Famine-— Desperate Efforts to procure Supplies— First Marriage in America— House for Powhatan— Smith and others embark on an Adventurous Expedition — Christmas spent among the Indians— Arrival at Werowocomoco— Interview of Smith and Powhatan-— Treachery of the Germans — Crafty Speech of Powhatan — Jeopardy of Smith and his Companions— Duplicity of the Ir dians

CONTENTS.

PAG H

—Pocahontas warns Smith of his Danger: his Vigilance : Departure— Arms stolen by the Germans for Powhatan—Arrival of Smith at Pamunkey— Deception of Opechancanough— Smith challenges him to Single Combat— Seizes him, and obtains his Demands— Serious Accident at Jamestown— Smith’s Return— -Disorderly State of Affairs— German Deserters detected— Encounter of Smith and Paspahey : Escape of the latter, and Subsequent Meeting— Indian Oratory — Compact for Peace, 136

Chapter XII

Effects of Smith’s Intrepidity — Benefits of some Pretended Miracles — Encouraging Spirit of the Settlers — Ravages of the Rats — New Quarters necessary for Subsistence— Evils of Insolence again Prevalent — Deserters returned by the Indians — Expedition to the Mangoags : their Friendship — Villany of Volday — Indignation of the People — Course of Powhatan — Arrival of Argali, 156

Chapter XIII

The old Charter and Officers superseded — Extensive Fleet, with Reinforcements — Shipwreck of the new Governors — Arrival of the Fleet — Surprise of Smith — Troublesome Factions — Character of the new Recruits — Fate of the Germans and Volday — Vigorous Measures of Smith — Imprisonment of the Factious Leaders — Attempts at New Settlements — More Difficulties with the Indians — Purchase of Powhatan — Mutiny against Smith: his Escape — Complaints of the Indians: their Revenge — Nonsuch founded and abandoned — Severe Accident to Smith: his Return to England necessary: Peculiarities of his Situation : his Character, . . . 167

Chapter XIV

The Sea-Venture and the Governors — Isle of Devils : its Animal and Vegetable Productions — The Shipwrecked Party leave for Vrginia : Desperate Condition of Affairs in that Region : “ The Starving Time ” — Resolution to abandon the Settlement : Happily Frustrated by the ar-

CONTENTS. 11

PA.GE

rival of Lord Delaware — Important Assistance from England-Projected New Settlements— Pocahontas made a Prisoner — Powhatan apprised of her Situation : His Answer — Skirmishes with the Indians — Two Brothers of Pocahontas — Partial Arrangement of Difficulties — Marriage of Pocahontas and Rolfe : Embarkation for England: Arrival, 182

Chapter XV

Smith engages in New Explorations on the Northern American Coasts : Success and Return — His Agreement with Prince Charles in regard to the Names of several Important Places : Villany of his Associate, Captain Hunt — High Anticipations of Smith — Promise of the Plymouth Company : Engagement with them — Better Offers declined — Expedition under Cooper sails from London— Sir Ferdinand Gorges — Cunning Device of a Kidnapped Indian to get Home — Abortive Attempts to unite the London and Plymouth Companies — Failure of the latter to redeem their promises — Two Vessels at last provided, in which Smith sails : His Return, disabled by a Storm: Sails again in another Craft — Encounter with Pirates — Captured by a French Cruiser: His Sailors escape with the English Vessel : Smith detained a Prisoner : Occasional Employment in Fighting and Writing — Captain Barra, “ an English Pirat ” — A Rich Prize — Liberal Promises to Smith, who is taken to France — False Accusations— Fortunate Escape — New Trials and Difficulties — Return to England, 195

Chapter XVI

Smith and his Crew of Deserters : He engages again with the Plymoutheans : Publishes his Book on New England : is created Admiral of that Country— Arrival of Pocahontas — Interview with Smith — Distinction between the Laws of Nature and the Laws of State Etiquette — Smith’s Letter to the Queen in behalf of Pocahontas, who is favorably received at Court and elsewhere — Amusing Incidents of Smith’s first Interview with Pocahontas — Hopeless Mission of Uttamatomakkin to Number the People: His Correct Idea of King James — Change in

CONTENTS.

PAGE

the Affairs of Virginia — Rolfe appointed to Office* — Unexpected Death of Pocahontas : Her Little Son adopted by his Uncle: Is educated in London, and returns to Virginia: His Numerous Descendants — Character of Pocahontas, 212

CHAPTER X VII .

Smith’s Efforts to colonise New England and establish Fisheries — Causes of Holland’s Prosperity — Resources of New England — Appeal to the Spirit of Independence — Death of Powhatan : His Successor — Treachery of Opechancanough — Jack of the Feather — Horrible Massacre of the Settlers : its Effect upon the Colony — Retribution— Offer of Smith — Slanders of Argali and his Associates against the Colony — Favorable Testimony of Smith: Recapitulation of his Virginian Adventures:

His Answers to Interrogatories propounded by Commissioners to investigate the Affairs of the Colony — Abrogation of the Charter of the Virginia Company — Smith engages in the publication of several Valuable Works :

His Death : Prominent Characteristics — Specimens of Poetical Laudation from his Friends, 229

THE LIFE AND A1 VENTURES

OP

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

Chapter I

His Birth and Parentage — Early Propensity for Adventure — Death of his Father — Apprenticed to a Merchant — Clandestine Trip to France — War in the Netherlands — Visits Scotland— Turns Hermit — Tries his Fortune again in France — Is thrown into the Sea — His Rescue — Desperate Encounter and Victory — Immense Booty.

According to Smith’s own account of himself — an account from which a large portion of this work is compiled — he was descended from a respectable family in Willoughby, Lincolnshire, England, where he was born in 1579. He was early imbued with a spirit of adventure, from the full exercise of which he was partially restrained by parental authority. Even at the age of thirteen, he entertained an unconquerable desire for seeing the wrorld, and secretly sold his books and satchell in order to raise money for accomplishing his purpose, when the death of his father interrupted his project. The guardians of his estate, seeming to think more of it than him , would not furnish him any “means to get beyond sea/' and 2 when about fifteen years old he was apprenticed to the mercantile business at Lynn — his master being “the greatest merchant of all those parts.” About this time he was on such terms wTith a son of Lord Willoughby, that he left the service in which he was engaged, and accompanied him to Fiance — thus gratifying (what had been so far checked) his yearnings for ‘‘going beyond sea.” He did not long remain with the companion of his voyage, but visited several towns in France; and at Paris became acquainted with “one Master David Hume,” who not only administered to his pecuniary necessities, but gave him “letters to his friends in Scotland to prefer him to King James.” From Paris he proceeded to the Netherlands, to assist that injured country in resisting Spanish tyranny; and served some three or four years under Captain Duxbury — an Englishman, commanding in the service of Prince Maurice. He then concluded to make a journey to Scotland, but was shipwrecked at Holy Isle, and suffered much from sickness. After his recovery, he reached Scotland, and delivered his letters, which secured him a very favorable reception among the writer’s friends; but finding no chance of preferment at the Scottish court, he indulged himself in a visit to Willoughby. Not meeting with any special attractions in the social circles of his native town, he resolved to become a recluse, after a fashion peculiar to himself; and for this purpose he “retired into a little wooddie pasture, a good way from any town, invironed with many hundred acres of other woods. Here

CAPTAIN JOHN SxMITIi.

by a faire brook he built a pavillion of boughes, where only in his cloaths he lay. His studie was Macliiavills Art of Warre, and Marcus Aurelius; his exercise a good horse, with his lance and ring; his food was thought to be more of venison than anything else.” Unlike most of the hermit class, he kept a man, and we are told that “what he wanted, his man brought him.” While in this retreat, he became acquainted with “an excellent horseman and a noble Italian gentleman,” named Polaloga, who was riding-master to the Earl of Lincoln, and whose “good discourse and exercise of riding drew him to stay with him at Tattersall” for a brief period.— “Long these pleasures could not content him,” and he determined upon again returning to the Low Countries ; regarding himself as materially improved with “such rudiments of warre as his tender years in those martial schooles could attain unto.” He was also “desirous to see more of the world, and trie his fortune against the Turkes, both lamenting and repenting to have seene so many Christians slaughter one another.”

On the eve of his embarkation for France, Smith fell in with “four French gallants” — gentlemen living by their wits — who were his companions on the voyage, and who contrived to rob him after his arrival of all his money ‘and clothing — leaving him so destitute that he was “ forced to sell his cloake to pay for his passage.” One of them, assuming the title of Lord Depreau, palmed himself off for an influential personage, and promised our hero all sorts of countenance and assistance in his chivalric enterprise, while the other three played their parts as his lordship’s^ “ gentlemen.” When about landing at Picardy, his new acquaintance “ plotted with the master of the ship to set his (Smith’s) and their own trunckes a shore, leaving Smith aboard till the boat could returne, which was the next day after, towards evening. The reason hee alleaged was, the sea went so high hee could come no sooner, and that his lord was gone to Amiens, where they would stay his coming; which treacherous villany, when divers other souldiers and passengers understood, they had like to have slaine the master, and, had they knowne how, would have runne away with the ship.”1

He was soon undeceived as to the character of his late companions by a fellow-passenger, named Curzianvere, who, “compassionating his injury, assured him this great Lord Depreau was only the sonne of a lawyer of Mortaigne in base Britany, and his attendants — Cursell, La Nelie, and Monferrat — three young citizens, as arrant cheats as himselfe*” His newly-found friend proved a friend indeed. He not only “supplied his wants,” but also “brought him to Mortaigne, where he found Depreau and the rest, but to small purpose; for Mr. Curzianvere was a banished man, and durst not be seene but to his friends; yet the bruit of their cosenage occasioned the Lady Collumber and divers other honorable persons to supply his wants, and with them to recreate himself so long as he would.”

Smith had no taste for the life of a Sponge ;

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

“such pleasant pleasures suiting little with his poore estate,” he withdrew from his hospitable friends, with the determination of seeking better means of accomplishing the purpose for which he left England — that of fighting the Turks. “In wandering from port to port to finde some man of warre, he spent that he had, and in a Forest, neere dead with griefe and cold, a rich Farmer found him by a faire Fountaine under a tree. This kinde Pesant releeved him againe, to his content to follow his intent. Not long after, as he passed through a great grove of trees, it was his chance to meet Cursell, more miserable than% himselfe. His piercing injuries had so small* patience, as without any word they both drew, and in a short time Cursell fell to the ground, where from an old ruinated Tower the inhabitants seeing them, were satisfied, when they heard Cursell confesse what had formerly passed.”

According to the confession of Cursell, his associates did not recognise the principle of “honor among thieves for, in dividing what they had stolen from Smith, “they fell by the ears amongst themselves,” and he received little more than some unwelcome blows for his share. After exchanging forgiveness with his wounded adversary, and leaving him to the care of the peasantry who had flocked around, Smith directed his course to the Earl of Ployer, whom he had formerly known during the war in France, and by whom he was kindly received and entertained. The earl was at some pains to visit with his 2* guest all the prominent objects of interest in his neighborhood; and on his departure, after tarrying a reasonable time, “he was better refurnished than ever/'

From this time Smith freely indulged his ruling propensity — travelling leisurely through various towns, inspecting whatever was curious or notable, until he reached Marseilles; where, “imbarking himself for Italy, the ship was enforced to Tolonne." We are led to infer that the vessel was refitted, and put to sea again with better prospects. But the war of elements was not yet ended: the “ill weather so grew upon them, they anchored close aboard the shore, under the little Isle of St. Mary," off Nice. Here his fellow-passengers (whom he designates as “inhumane Provincialls" and “a rable of Pilgrimes of divers nations going to Rome") suddenly came to the very sage conclusion that he was a sort of Jonah among them. For lack of better pastime, they fell to “hourely cursing him, not only for a Hugonoit, but his Nation they swore were all Pyrats, and so vildly railed on his dread soveraigne, Queene Elizabeth, and that they never should have faire weather so long as hee was aboard them ; their disputations grew to that passion that they threw him over-board ; yet God brought him to that little Isle, where was no inhabitants but a few kine and goats." On the next morning he was taken on board another vessel, which had “put in by the storm," and was so well k regarded and entertained" by the captain, that “he was well contented to try the

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

rest of his fortune with them.” This vessel, it appears, was bound for Alexandria, whither she had a prosperous voyage, and delivered her cargo. Neither the vessel nor Smith seem to have had any particular destination after this:* for “they went to Scandaroone, rather to view what ships was in the roade than anything else,” and thence proceeded (apparently on a cruise) to various islands in the Mediterranean. While laying to between Corfu and the Cape of Otranto, they met with a Venetian argosy, which the captain was desirous of speaking; and on approaching for that object, he received “such an untoward answer as slew them a man.” It is evident from what followed that this unfriendly answer was not entirely unexpected; but as we have no idea of rivalling the talents of Cooper or Maryatt in the description of a sea-fight, Smith shall be permitted to describe the succeeding scenes in his own expressive language :

As a rejoinder to the single gun of the argosy, “the Britaine presently gave them the broad-side, then his Sterne, and his other broad-side also, and continued the chase, with his chase peeces, till he gave them so many broad-sides one after another, that the Argosies sayles and tackling was so torne, she stood to her defence, and made shot for shot; twice in one houre and

* Both the character of the vessel and the capacity in which Smith was acting are alike left to conjecture, and we are warranted in the conclusion that the one was something more than a merchantman, and the other something more than a passenger.

a halfe the Britaine boarded her, yet they cleared themselves, but clapping her aboard againe, the Argosie fired him, which with much danger to them both was presently quenched. This rather augmented the Britaines rage, than abated his courage; for having reaccommodated himselfe againe, shot her so oft betweene wind and waterv she was readie to sinke, then they yeelded; the Britaine lost fifteene men, she twentie, besides divers were hurt, the rest went to worke on all hands; some to stop the leakes, others to guard the prisoners that were chained, the rest to rifle her. The Silkes, Velvets, Cloth of Gold, and Tissue, Pyasters, Chicqueenes, and Sultanies, (which is gold and silver,) they unloaded in foure and twentie houres, was wonderfull, whereof having sufficient, and tired with toile, they cast her off with her company, with as much good merchandize as would have fraughted such another Britaine, that was but two hundred tunnes, shee foure or five hundred.”

To repair the great damage sustained in this desperate engagement, was of course a very desirable matter, and the victor accordingly stood for some friendly port where this business could be effected. Smith was set on shore in Piedmont, with “five hundred chicqueenes, and a little box God sent him worth neere as much more” — probably his share of the spoils of the argosv.

O 4

CAPTATN JOHN SMITH. 21

Chapter II

Smith travels in Italy and the South of Europe — Enters the Emperor’s Service — Ingenious Telegraph — Success at Olympach — Smith’s Promotion — Siege of Alba Regalis — Efficiency of the Fiery Dragons — the Christians Victorious— Battle of Girke— Death of Duke Mercury.

It is not likely that our adventurer ever before found himself in so good a condition to gratify his propensity for seeing the world as at this time. “ Being glad to have such opportunity and meanes to better his experience by the view of Italy/' he embarked for Leghorn, and thence passed through all the principal cities, carefully noting whatever be considered remarkable or interesting. During his travels he again met with his early friends, “Lord Willoughby and his brother, cruelly wounded in a desperate fray, yet to their exceeding great honor." What was the cause of this “desperate fray" — whether they had become “red republican revolutionists," or had been set upon by Italian bandits, or were merely carrying out the invaluable privileges of independent Englishmen in “kicking up a row" — is left entirely to the sympathetic imagination. Smith did not choose to throw any light upon the subject, nor can we his humble followers; and as it is probable that no other historian has recorded the occurrence, it must for ever remain among those mysteries which are said to be “buried in the womb of time."

At Rome “it was his chance to see Pope

Clement the eight, with as many Oardinalls, creepe up the holy Stayres, which they say are those our Saviour Christ went up to Pontius Pilate, where bloud falling from his head, being pricked with his crowne of thornes, the drops are marked with nailes of steele; upon them none dare goe but in that manner, saying so many Ave-Maries and Pater-Nosters, as is their devotion, and to kisse the nailes of steele : But on each side- is a paire of such like staires, up which you may goe, stand, or kneele, but divided from the holy Staires by two walls: right against them is a Chapell, where hangs a great silver Lampe, which burneth continually, yet they say the oyle neither increaseth nor diminisheth.”

When his curiosity had been pretty well satisfied with every thing in and about Italy, he took a turn through Albania, Dalmatia, and Sclavonia, and finally reached Gratz in Styria, where the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, afterwards Emperor of Germany, was then residing. Here he met with an Englishman and an Irish Jesuit, who made him acquainted with “many brave gentlemen of good qualitie, especially with the Lord Ebersbaught,” to whom he seems to have communicated certain practical tactics and expedients, which were of much subsequent advantage. He at once so far secured the ' favorable regards of this nobleman, that he recommended him to Baron Kisell, general of the artillery, and he in turn presented him to “a worthy Colonel, the Earle of Meldritch,” into whose regiment he immediately entered.

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

It will readily be perceived that our hero was now in a situation to gratify his longing for fighting the Turks to its fullest extent. He entered on active service in the latter part of the year 1601, at which time the Turks, with an army of twenty thousand men, were so closely besieging the town of Glympaeh as to cut off “all intelligence and hope of succour/5 Lord Ebersbauaht was in command of the town, and Smith informed Baron Ivisell that he had “taught his worthy friend such a Rule, that he would undertake to make him know any thing he intended, and have his answer, would they but bring him to some place where he might make the flame of a torch seene to the town.55 The baron was, of course, all anxiety to learn how this important object was to be accomplished, and Smith explained it so comprehensibly, that he was forthwith furnished with the necessary implements for putting his design into execution. Accompanied by several guides, after dark, he repaired “to a mountaine, where he showed three torches, equi-distant from each other, which plainly appearing to the towne, the governour presently apprehended, and answered again with three other fires in like manner — each knowing the other’s being and intent^ Smith, though distant seven miles, signified to him these words: ‘On Thursday at night I will charge on the East: at the Alarum , sally you'” Ebersbaught answered, after the same manner, “I will;” and thus terminated this first essay at telegraphic correspondence in the Imperial army. In order to afford the reader an opportunity of contrasting his process of communication with that pursued at the present day, the following explanation is given in his own words :

“First he writ his message as briefe as could be; then divided the Alphabet in two parts thus:

ABCDEFGHI KL 11111111111

MNOP QRSTVWXYZ 2222222222222

“The first part from A to L is signified by shewing and hiding one light, so oft as there is letters from A to that letter you meane; the other part from M to Z is mentioned by two lights in like manner. The end of a word is signified by shewing of three lights, ever staying your light at that letter you meane, till the other may write it in a paper, and answer by his signal!, which is one light, it is done, beginning to count the letters by the lights, every time, from A to M; by this means also the other returned his answer, whereby each did understand other.”

This telegraphic communication was not the only good service which Smith rendered. Kisell was wavering as to the propriety of making the projected attack, particularly as the Turkish forces more than doubled his own; but an ingenious piece of pyrotechny suggested by Smith overcame his irresolution. It had been discovered by the guides that the Turks were so divided in two parts, by the river, they could not readily second each other, and it was important

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

to devise some means of distracting the attention of one portion by a false alarm, while the imperialists fell suddenly and furiously upon the other. Smith’s plan was to prepare “two or three thousand pieces of match, fastened to divers small lines of a hundred fathome in length, being armed with powder,” and so arranged that they “might all be fired and stretched, at an instant before the alarum, upon the plaine of Hysnaburg, supported by two staves at each line’s end, and in that maner they would seem like so many musketteers.” The fullest success attended this stratagem. One portion of the Turks “prepared to encounter these false fires, thinking there had been some great armie,” while Kisell with his ten thousand rushed simultaneously upon the other, “ who ranne up and downe as men amazed. It was not long ere Ebersbaught [sallying from the town] was pell-mell with them in their trenches; in which distracted confusion a third part of the Turkes besieging that side towards Knousbrack were slaine; many of the rest were drowned, but all fled.” Kisell succeeded in reinforcing the town with two thousand additional troops, and retired with small loss, while “the garrison was releeved with that they found in the Turkes quarters.” The enemy were so disheartened by the issue of this conflict, that they abandoned the siege; and Kisell, having achieved his object, returned to head-quarters, where he was received with much honor. Smith’s ingenuity and valor were properly estimated ; for we are told they “occasioned him a good reward, 3 and preferment to be captaine of two hundred and fiftie horse-men, under the conduct of Colonell Yoldo, Earle of Meldritch.”

For some time after this, so little was done in the way of fighting by either of the belligerents, that “a generall rumour of a generall peace spred itselfe over all the face of those tormented countries;” but notwithstanding this seeming quiet, the Turks were actively engaged in raising all the forces they could muster for the campaign of 1601, and the Emperor was equally busy in making extensive preparations in his own behalf. Indeed, the latter must have been “up to his eyes in business,” as the saying is — having no less than “ three strings to his bow.” We are informed that, “by the assistance of the Christian princes,” he had “provided three armies: the first — commanded nominally by the Archduke Mathias, but actually by Duke Mercury — was intended “ to defend Low Hungary the second, under the Archduke Ferdinand of Styria, “to regaine Caniza;” and the third, under “Gonzago, governor of High Hungary,” to reinforce Georgio Busca, and enable him to “make an absolute conquest of Transylvania.”