invincible armada,' so wide spread and alarming that it was deemed
prudent by the Government to stay all ships fit for war in any ports of
England to be in readiness for service at home ; and even Sir Richard
Grenville was commanded not to leave Cornwall.

Governor White however having left about one hundred and twenty men,
women and children in Virginia, among whom were his own daughter and
granddaughter, left no stone unturned for their relief. He labored so
earnestly and successfully that he obtained two small 'pinneses ' named
the ' Brave' and the ' Roe,' one of thirty and the other of twenty-five
tons, 'wherein fifteen planters and all their provision, with certain
reliefe for those that wintered in the Countrie was to be transported.'

The' Brave' and the ' Roe' with this slender equipment passed the bar of
Bideford the 22nd of April, just six months after the return of the
Governor, a small fleet with small hope. Had it been larger its going
forth would not have been permitted. The Governor remained behind,
thinking he could serve the Colony better in England. But the sailors of
the little 'Brave' and 'Roe' had caught the fighting mania before they
sailed, and instead of going with all speed to the relief of Virginia,
scoured the seas for rich prizes, and like two little fighting cocks let
loose attacked every sail they caught sight of, friend or foe. The
natural consequence was that before they reached Madeira (they took the
southern course for the sake of plunder) they had been several times
thoroughly whipped, and ' all thinges spilled ' in their fights. ' By
this occasion, God iustly punishing the theeuerie of our euil disposed
mariners, we were of force constrained to break of our voyage intended
for the reliefe of our Colony left the yere before in Virginia, and the
same night to set our course for England.' In a month from their
departure they recrossed the bar of Bideford, their voyage having been a