3. The fleet sailed from England on the 27th day of April, 1584,
and, avoiding the dangers of drift-ice in the northern waters,
steered for the Canary Islands and the West Indies. They had the
good fortune to escape the Spanish cruisers, which were so
dangerous to English vessels sailing at that day upon this
course. On the 14th day of July they first saw the coast of
North Carolina, probably at a point just below Old Topsail Inlet.
They continued northward along the low, barren barriers of sand
which divide the waters of the ocean from those of Pamlica and
Croatan Sounds, and, two days later, came to anchor off an island
called Wocoken, in what was an inlet at that day.

4. They called this place Trinity Harbor. Across the desolate
sand ridges were fair landlocked waters, and great forests that
sent far out to sea the odors of countless flowers. The weary
toilers who had sailed so far, with nothing to look upon but the
sky and the great stretches of the sea, were charmed with the
richness of the vegetation, the balmy air, and the ceaseless
songs of the mockingbirds.

5. For two whole days it seemed that the country was uninhabited,
for no one had been seen by the Englishmen. At the expiration of
that period they saw a canoe approaching from the north, in which
were three Indians. One of them landed and came down the beach
toward the ships. By signs he was invited aboard the vessels,
and went with the white men to survey some of the wonders of
civilization found in various parts of the vessel.

6. It must have been a notable day in this Indian's life, when,
for the first time, he, who had seen nothing of the kind larger