Virginia: The Old Dominion

was hot and sultry. So, we deferred until evening the long walk across the island. B

hore secure from all Wind and Weather Whatsoever." As they found Back River at this point so we found it, a stream witho

ng with those old times. Back of us, where an isthmus should be stretching from island to mainland, was the open water gateway through w

sland to the mainland once more. Then we attacked the bridge; and, as the pilings to which our boat was fastene

o be sure, our maps showed us that in colonial times too a road had crossed the island, and along much the same li

id we locate "Friggett Landing." After reading all that our authorities had to say on the subject (and understanding part of it), we sent our man down stream in a rowboat, confident that he woul

; for the place showed not the slightest sign of ever having been used as a landing-

solid land anywhere near us), and so make it come out, like the road of old, at the "landing." Now, our man held aloft a stick with the houseboat's burgee on it, a

k, as our thoughts went back, to those old James Towne days. To be sure, the village itself was still clear across the island on the "Maine

mistake somewhere? These were not Englishmen, and they were not Indians. Behold, crossing our isthmus, Dutchmen, Italians, and Poles! Suddenly, from the midst of the group, came a glint and

membered that fight in the school-books, but we had never expected to really see it. Our sympathies were of course largely with the Captain, but more with the isthmus. We had raised it out of the water for temporary purposes only, and with no idea of its being subjected to a strain like this. It was a relief when the two fighters rolled off i

settlers. Once we caught, in a hazy way, the most touching picture associated with the old isthmus-the little savage maiden, Pocahontas, with heart divided between her own people and the pale-faces,

note," but evidently the townspeople had; and there, surely enough, was a queer little vessel stopping right where we had marked the spot. It was a pleasure to see that she so readily took our measurements for it. But how

perous times in the little village across the island. Prancing by went the "qualitye" in flaming silks, and high dignitaries in glittering gold lace. There was even a coach or two. That one attende

t count for much

ndian question. The people were divided; and here were the preparations for the trial of arms. While the Bacon fort, the one on the mainland, was yet incomplete, we beheld a strange line of white objects fluttering from the top of it. With the aid of field-glasses and some historical works, we at last made out that it was a row of women in white aprons. As our eyes became accus

off their white aprons and gone home, the battle began. Soldiers from the island fort made a sally ac

crossing heavily over and disappearing along the forest road on the mainland leading to Williamsburg. Here, colonial records going by, telling that the brave little capital is a capital no more; there, a quaint church service, bespeaking abandoned holy walls and sacred doors flapping in the idle wind;

adway, and rebuilt the bridge. Then we went ashore to visit the island, knowing t

pleasant walk among the fragrant pine trees and in the soft light and the lengthening shadows of the waning summer day. Abruptly the grove ended, and thereafter the road led across a succession of

longs to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. It was g

above ground-a ruined church tower and some crumbling tombs. As we walked along the curving road, we caught glimpses now and then of the venerable tower; and gradually it emerged as out of the shadows of the past, and we

the walls of house or tavern or fort, but of the tower of the village church! Almost with the solemn signific

gher. Near the top are loopholes that perhaps suggest the reason why the tower is o

ndations, the ruins of a yet older building have been unearthed. They are doubtless the remains of a wooden church with brick foundations that was built about 1617. So, in the cont

ll; but much has been determined as to the general appearance

ddle surmounted by a cross; behind the tower, those crumbling church foundations built up into strong walls, bearing a high-pitched roof; each side of the church with four flying buttresses and three lancet windows; the entrance, a pair of arched doorw

may see in vague vision a very little of the ancient interior: the nave lighted by diamond-paned windows, not stained; the aisles between the rows of pews paved with brick

ng made for a memorial structure or chapel, to be erected not on but over the old church foundation walls, to preserve them from the elements. It was to be a gift to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities from the National Society of the Col

oubtless as desirable a one as could be erected for the preservation of the church foundations. Still, there will be the difference of opinion as to the wisdom of placing a building of any kind

hat he never could have seen but for its being shown to him in brick and mortar. But to the pilgrim of the other sort-day-dreamer, if you will-there must come a sense not of gain but of loss. He will feel that, for a questionable combin

mind that, of the two pilgrims, the unimaginative one is much t