Keymis’sordersareexplicit。Heistogoup;findthemine，andopenit;andiftheSpaniardsattackhim，repelforcebyforce：butheistoavoid，ifpossible，anencounterwiththem：notforfearofbreakingthepeace，butbecausehehas’ascumofmen，afewgentlemenexcepted，andIwouldnotforalltheworldreceiveablowfromtheSpaniardstothedishonourofournation。’Therewehavenoconcealmentofhostileinstructions，anymorethaninRaleigh’sadmirableinstructionstohisfleet，which，afterlayingdownexcellentlawsformorality，religion，anddiscipline，goonwithclauseafterclauseastowhatistobedoneiftheymeet’theenemy。’Whatenemy？Why，allSpanishshipswhichsailtheseas;andwho，iftheyhappentobesufficientlynumerous，willassuredlyattack，sink，burn，anddestroyRaleigh’swholesquadron，fordaringtosailforthatcontinentwhichSpainclaimsasitsown。
RaleighrunsupthecoasttoTrinidadoncemore，inthroughtheSerpent’sMouth，androundPuntoGallotothelakeofpitch，whereallrecruitthemselveswithfishandarmadillos，’pheasant’
（Penelope），’palmitos’（Morichepalmfruit？），andguavas，andawaitthereturnoftheexpeditionfromthelastdayofDecembertothemiddleofFebruary。TheyseesomethingoftheSpaniardsmeanwhile。
SirJohnFernsissentuptoPortofSpaintotryiftheywilltradefortobacco。TheSpaniardsparley;inthemidstoftheparleypouravolleyofmusketryintothematfortypaces，yethurtneveraman;
andsendthemoffcallingthemthievesandtraitors。FraySimon’sSpanishaccountofthematteristhatRaleighintendedtodisembarkhismen，thattheymightmarchinlandonSanJoseph。Hemaybeexcusedfortheguess;seeingthatRaleighhaddonetheverysamethingsomeseventeenyearsbefore。IfRaleighwastreacherousthen，histreasonpunisheditselfnow。However，ImustbelievethatRaleighisnotlikelytohavetoldalieforhisownprivateamusementinhisownprivatediary。
Onthe29ththeSpaniardsattackthreemenandaboywhoareashoreboilingthefossilpitch;killoneman，andcarryofftheboy。
Raleigh，insteadofgoinguptoPortofSpainanddemandingsatisfaction，ashewouldhavebeenjustifiedindoingafterthissecondattack，remainsquietlywhereheis，expectingdailytobeattackedbySpanisharmadas，andresolvedto’burnbytheirsides。’
Happily，orunhappily，heescapesthem。ProbablyhethinkstheywaitedforhimatMargarita，expectinghimtorangetheSpanishmain。
Atlastthewearydaysofsicknessandanxietysucceededtodaysofterror。Onthe1stofFebruaryastrangereportcomesbyanIndian。
AninlandsavagehasbroughtconfusedandcontradictorynewsdowntheriverthatSanThomeissacked，thegovernorandtwoSpanishcaptainsslain（namesgiven）andtwoEnglishcaptains，nameless。Afterthisentryfollowafewconfusedones，setdownashappeninginJanuary，concerningattemptstoextractthetruthfromtheIndians，andthenegligenceofthemariners，whoarediligentinnothingbutpillagingandstealing。Andsoendsabruptlythissaddocument。
Thetruthcomesatlast——butwhen，doesnotappear——inaletterfromKeymis，datedJanuary8。SanThomehasbeenstormed，sacked，andburnt。Fourrefiners’houseswerefoundinit;thebestinthetown;
sothattheSpaniardshavebeenminingthere;butnocoinorbullionexceptalittleplate。OneEnglishcaptainiskilled，andthatcaptainisWalterRaleigh，hisfirstborn。Hediedleadingthemon，whensome，’morecarefulofvalourandsafety，begantorecoilshamefully。’Hislastwordswere，’Lordhavemercyuponmeandprosperourenterprise。’ASpanishcaptain，Erinetta，struckhimdownwiththebuttofamusketafterhehadreceivedabullet。JohnPlessington，hissergeant，avengedhimbyrunningErinettathroughwithhishalbert。
Keymishasnotyetbeentothemine;hecouldnot，’byreasonofthemurmurings，discords，andvexations’;buthewillgoatonce，maketrialofthemine，andcomedowntoTrinidadbytheMacareomouth。
Hesendsaparcelofscatteredpapers，arolloftobacco，atortoise，someorangesandlemons。’PrayingGodtogiveyouhealthandstrengthofbody，andamindarmedagainstallextremities，Irestevertobecommanded，yourlordship’s，Keymish。’
’OhAbsalom，myson，myson，wouldGodIhaddiedforthee！’Butweepingisinvain。Thenobleladsleepsthereunderthepalm-trees，besidethemightytropicstream，whilethefairBasset，’hisbrideinthesightofGod，’recksnotofhimasshewandersinthewoodsofUmberleigh，wifetothesonofRaleigh’sdeadliestfoe。Raleigh，Raleigh，surelyGod’sblessingisnotonthisvoyageofthine。
SurelyHehathsetthymisdeedsbeforeHim，andthysecretsinsinthelightofHiscountenance。
Anotherblankofmisery：buthishonourisstillsafe。Keymiswillreturnwiththatgoldore，thatpledgeofhisgoodfaithforwhichhehasventuredall。SurelyGodwillletthatcomeafterall，nowthathehaspaidasitspricehisfirst-born’sblood？
AtlastKeymisreturnswiththinnednumbers。Allareweary，spirit-
broken，discontented，mutinous。Whereisthegoldore？
Thereisnone。Keymishasneverbeentothemineafterall。HiscompanionscursehimasatraitorwhohashelpedRaleightodeceivethemintoruin;themineisimaginary——alie。Thecrewsarereadytobreakintoopenmutiny;afterawhiletheywilldoso。
Yes，Godissettingthisman’ssecretsinsinthelightofHiscountenance。Ifhehasbeenambitious，hisambitionhaspunisheditselfnow。Ifhehascaredmoreforhisownhonourthanforhiswifeandchildren，thatsintoohaspunisheditself。Ifhehas（whichIaffirmnot）tamperedwithtruthforthesakeofwhatseemedtohimnobleandjustends，thattoohaspunisheditself;forhismendonottrusthim。Ifhehas（whichIaffirmnot）doneanywronginthatmatterofCobham，thattoohaspunisheditself：forhismen，countinghimasnonensinlaw，willnotrespectorobeyhim。Ifhehasspoken，afterhisoldfashion，rashandexaggeratedwords，andgoesonspeakingthem，eventhoughitbethroughthepressureofdespair，thattooshallpunishitself;andforeveryidlewordthatheshallsay，Godwillbringhimintojudgment。Andwhy，butbecauseheisnoble？Why，butbecauseheisnearertoGodbyawholeheaventhanotherswhomGodletsfattenontheirownsins，havingnounderstanding，becausetheyareinhonour，andhavingchildrenattheirhearts’desire，andleavingtherestoftheirsubstancetotheirbabes？NotsodoesGoddealwithHiselectwhentheywilltrytoworshipatonceselfandHim;Herequirestruthintheinwardparts，andwillpurgethemtilltheyaretrue，andsingle-eyed，andfulloflight。
Keymisreturnswiththewreckofhisparty。ThescenebetweenhimandRaleighmaybeguessed。Keymishasexcuseonexcuse。HecouldnotgetobeyedafteryoungRaleigh’sdeath：heexpectedtofindthatSirWalterwaseitherdeadofhissicknessorofgriefforhisson，andhadnowish’toenrichacompanyofrascalswhomadenoaccountofhim。’Hedarenotgouptotheminebecause（andhereRaleighthinkshisexcusefair）thefugitiveSpaniardslayinthecraggywoodsthroughwhichhewouldhavetopass，andthathehadnotmenenougheventoholdthetownsecurely。Ifhereachedthemineandleftacompanythere，hehadnoprovisionsforthem;andhedarednotsendbackwardandforwardtothetownwhiletheSpaniardswereinthewoods。ThewarningssentbyGondomarhadundoneall，andJames’streacheryhaddoneitswork。SoKeymis，’thinkingitagreatererror，sohesaid，todiscovertheminetotheSpaniardsthantoexcusehimselftotheCompany，saidthathecouldnotfindit。’Fromallwhichonethingatleastisevident，thatKeymisbelievedintheexistenceofthemine。
Raleigh’rejectsthesefancies’;tellshimbeforediversgentlementhat’ablindmanmightfinditbythemarkswhichKeymishimselfhadsetdownunderhishand’：that’hiscaseoflosingsomanymeninthewoods’wasamerepretence：afterWalterwasslain，heknewthatKeymishadnocareofanyman’ssurviving。’Youhaveundoneme，woundedmycreditwiththeKingpastrecovery。Asyouhavefollowedyourownadvice，andnotmine，youmustsatisfyhisMajesty。Itshallbegladifyoucandoit：butIcannot。’Thereisnousedwellingonsuchvainregretsandreproaches。Raleighperhapsisbitter，unjust。Ashehimselfwritestwice，tohiswifeandSirRalphWinwood，his’brainsarebroken。’Hewritestothemboth，andre-openstheletterstoaddlongpostscripts，athiswits’end。
Keymisgoesoff;spendsafewmiserabledays;andthenentersRaleigh’scabin。HehaswrittenhisapologytoLordArundel，andbegsRaleightoallowofit。’No。Youhaveundonemebyyourobstinacy。Iwillnotfavourorcolouryourformerfolly。’’Isthatyourresolution，sir？’’Itis。’’Iknownotthen，sir，whatcoursetotake。’Andsohegoesout，andintohisowncabinoverhead。A
minuteafterapistol-shotisheard。Raleighsendsupaboytoknowthereason。Keymisanswersfromwithinthathehasfireditoffbecauseithadbeenlongcharged;andallisquiet。
Halfanhouraftertheboygoesintothecabin。Keymisislyingonhisbed，thepistolbyhim。Theboymoveshim。Thepistol-shothasbrokenarib，andgonenofurther;butasthecorpseisturnedover，alongknifeisburiedinthatdesperateheart。Anotheroftheoldheroesisgonetohiswildaccount。
Graduallydropsofexplanationoozeout。The’Sergeant-major，Raleigh’snephew，andothers，confessthatKeymistoldthemthathecouldhavebroughtthemintwohourstothemine：butastheyoungheirwasslain，andhisfatherwasunpardonedandnotliketolive，hehadnoreasontoopenthemine，eitherfortheSpaniardortheKing。’Thoselatterwordsaresignificant。WhatcaredtheoldElizabethanseamanforthewealofsuchaking？And，indeed，whatgoodtosuchakingwouldalltheminesinGuianabe？TheyansweredthattheKing，nevertheless，had’grantedRaleighhisheart’sdesireunderthegreatseal。’Herepliedthat’thegranttoRaleighwastoamannonensinlaw，andthereforeofnoforce。’Here，too，James’spolicyhasworkedwell。Howcouldmendareorpersevereundersuchacloud？
How，indeed，couldtheyhavefoundhearttosailatall？TheonlyansweristhattheyknewRaleighwellenoughtohaveutterfaithinhim，andthatKeymishimselfknewofthemine。
PuppiesathomeinEnglandgaveoutthathehadkilledhimselffromremorseathavingdeceivedsomanygentlemenwithanimaginaryphantom。Everyone，ofcourse，accordingtohismeasureofcharity，haspowerandlibertytoassumeanymotivewhichhewill。Mineissimplytheonewhichshowsuponthefaceofthedocuments;thattheoldfollower，devotedaliketothedeadsonandtothedoomedfather，feelingthathehad，hescarceknewhow，failedinthehourofneed，fritteredawaythelastchanceofamightyenterprisewhichhadbeenhisfixedideaforyears，andruinedthemanwhomheadored，avengeduponhimselfthefaultofhavingdisobeyedorders，givenperemptorily，andtobeperemptorilyexecuted。
Here，perhaps，mytaleshouldend;forallbeyondisbutthewakingofthecorpse。Thelastdeath-struggleoftheElizabethanheroismisover，andallitsremainsvanishslowlyinanundignified，sickeningway。Allepicsendso。AfterthewarofTroy，AchillesmustdiebycowardParis’sarrow，insomemysterious，confused，pitifulfashion;
andstatelyHecubamustrailherselfintoaverydog，andbarkforevershamefullyaroundlonelyCynossema。YoungDavidendsasadotard——Solomonasworse。GloriousAlexandermustdie，halfoffever，halfofdrunkenness，asthefooldieth。CharlestheFifth，havingthrownallawaybuthisfollies，endsinaconvent，asuperstitiousimbecile;NapoleonsquabblestothelastwithSirHudsonLoweaboutchampagne。Itmustbeso;andtheglorymustbeGod’salone。Foringreatmen，andgreattimes，thereisnothinggoodorvitalbutwhatisofGod，andnotofman’sself;andwhenHetakethawaythatdivinebreaththeydie，andreturnagaintotheirdust。Buttheearthdoesnotlose;forwhenHesendethforthHisSpirittheylive，andrenewthefaceoftheearth。Anewgenerationarises，withclearersight，withfullerexperience，sometimeswithnobleraims;and’Theoldorderchangeth，givethplacetothenew，AndGodfulfilshimselfinmanyways。
TheElizabethanepicdidnotendadaytoosoon。Therewasnomorelifeleftinit;andGodhadsomethingbetterinstoreforEngland。
Raleigh’sidealwasanobleone：butGod’swasnoblerfar。Raleighwouldhavemadeheragoldkingdom，likeSpain，anddestroyedherveryvitalsbythatgold，asSpainwasdestroyed。AndallthewhilethegreatandgoodGodwaslookingsteadfastlyuponthatlittlestrugglingVirginianvillage，Raleigh’sfirst-born，forgotteninhisnewmightydreams，andsaying，’HerewillIdwell，forIhaveadelighttherein。’There，andnotinGuiana;uponthesimpletillersofthesoil，notamongwildrecklessgold-hunters，wouldHisblessingrest。Theverycomingdarknesswouldbringbrighterlight。Theevilageitselfwouldbetheparentofnewgood，anddriveacrosstheseassteadfastPilgrimFathersandgenerousRoyalistCavaliers，tobetheparentsofamightiernationthanhaseveryetpossessedtheearth。
Verily，God’swaysarewonderful，andHiscounselsinthegreatdeep。
SoendstheElizabethanepic。Mustwefollowthecorpsetothegrave？Itisnecessary。
Andnow，’yougentlemenofEngland，whositathomeatease，’whatwouldyouhavedoneinlikecase？——Yourlastdiethrown;yourlaststakelost;yourhonour，asyoufancy，stainedforever;youreldestsondeadinbattle——Whatwouldyouhavedone？WhatWalterRaleighdidwasthis。Hekepthispromise。HehadpromisedLordArundeltoreturntoEngland;andreturnhedid。
Butitissaidhisrealintention，ashehimselfconfessed，wastoturnpirateandtaketheMexicofleet。
Thatwildthoughtsofsuchadeedmayhavecrossedhismind，mayhavebeenaterribletemptationtohim，mayevenhavebrokenoutinhastywords，onedoesnotdeny。Hehimselfsaysthathespokeofsuchathing’tokeephismentogether。’Alldependsonhowthewordswerespoken。Theformofthesentence，thetoneofvoice，iseverything。
Whocouldblamehim，ifseeingsomeofthecaptainswhomhehadmosttrusteddesertinghim，hismenheapinghimwitheveryslander，and，ashesolemnlysworeonthescaffold，callingwitnessestheretobyname，forcinghimtotakeanoaththathewouldnotreturntoEnglandbeforetheywouldhavehim，andlockinghimintohisowncabin——whocouldblamehim，Iask，forsayinginthatdaringoff-handwayofhis，whichhassooftenbeforegothimintotrouble，’Come，mylads，donotdespair。Iftheworstcomestotheworst，thereisthePlate-
fleettofallbackupon’？WhenIremember，too，thatthetakingofthesaidPlate-fleetwasinRaleigh’seyesanaltogetherjustthing;
andthatheknewperfectlythatifhesucceededthereinhewouldbebackedbythepublicopinionofallEngland，andprobablybuyhispardonofJames，who，ifhelovedSpainwell，lovedmoneybetter;mysurpriseratheris，thathedidnotgoanddoit。Asforanymeetingofcaptainsinhiscabinandseriousproposalofsuchaplan，I
believeittobesimplyoneoftheinnumerablelieswhichJamesinsertedinhis’Declaration，’gatheredfromthetalesofmenwho，fearing（andreasonably）lesttheirheadsshouldfollowRaleigh’s，triedtocurryfavourbyslanderinghim。This’Declaration’hasbeensooftenexposedthatImaysafelypassitby;andpassbyalmostassafelytheargumentwhichsomehavedrawnfromachanceexpressionofhisinhispatheticlettertoLadyRaleigh，inwhichhe’hopesthatGodwouldsendhimsomewhatbeforehisreturn。’Toproveanintentionofpiracyinthedespairingwordsofaruinedmanwritingtocomfortaruinedwifeforthelossofherfirst-bornissurelytodealouthardmeasure。Heavenhavemercyuponus，ifallthehastywordswhichwoehaswrungfromourheartsaretobesojudgedeitherbymanorGod！
SirJuliusCaesar，again，oneofthecommissionappointedtoexaminehim，informsusthat，onbeingconfrontedwithCaptainsSt。LegerandPennington，heconfessedthatheproposedthetakingoftheMexicofleetiftheminefailed。TowhichIcanonlyanswer，thatalldependsonhowthethingwassaid，andthatthisisthelastfactwhichweshouldfindinSirJulius’snotes，whichare，itisconfessed，soconfused，obscure，andfullofgaps，astobeoftenhardlyintelligible。ThesameremarkappliestoWilson’sstory，whichIagreewithMr。Tytlerinthinkingworthless。Wilson，itmustbeunderstood，isemployedafterRaleigh’sreturnasaspyuponhim，whichofficeheexecutes，allconfess（andWilsonhimselfasmuchasany），asfalsely，treacherously，andhypocriticallyasdideversinfulman;and，interalia，hehasthis，’ThisdayhetoldmewhatdiscourseheandtheLordChancellorhadabouttakingthePlate-
fleet，whichheconfessedhewouldhavetakenhadhelightedonit。’
TowhichmyLordChancellorsaid，’Why，youwouldhavebeenapirate。’’Oh，’quothhe，’didyoueverknowofanythatwerepiratesformillions？Theyonlythatwishforsmallthingsarepirates。’
Now，settingasidetheimprobabilitythatRaleighshouldgooutofhiswaytoimpeachhimselftothemanwhomhemusthaveknownwassettheretofindmatterforhisdeath，all，wesay，dependsonhowitwassaid。IftheLordChancelloreversaidtoRaleigh，’TotaketheMexicofleetwouldbepiracy，’itwouldhavebeenjustlikeRaleightogivesuchananswer。Thespeechisaperfectlytrueone：Raleighknewtheworld，nomanbetter;andsawthroughitshollowness，andthecantandhypocrisyofhisgeneration;andhesardonicallystatesanundeniablefact。Heisnotexpressinghisownmorality，butthatoftheworld;justasheisdoinginthatpassageofhis’Apology，’
aboutwhichImustcomplainofMr。Napier。’Itwasamaximofhis，’
saysMr。Napier，’thatgoodsuccessadmitsofnoexamination。’Thisisnotfair。Thesentenceintheoriginalgoeson，’sothecontraryallowsofnoexcuse，howeverreasonableandjustwhatsoever。’Hisargumentallthroughthebeginningofthe’Apology，’supportedbyinstanceoninstancefromhistory，is——Icannotgetajusthearing，becauseIhavefailedinopeningthismine。Soitisalways。Glorycoversthemultitudeofsins。Butamanwhohasfailedisafairmarkforeveryslanderer，puppy，ignoramus，discontentedmutineer;asIamnow。Whatelse，inthenameofcommonsense，couldhavebeenhisargument？DoesMr。NapierreallythinkthatRaleigh，evenif，inthefaceofallthenobleandpiouswordswhichhehadwritten，heheldsoimmoraladoctrine，wouldhavebeenshamelessandsenselessenoughtoasserthisownrascalityinanapologyaddressedtothemost’religious’ofkingsinthemostcantingofgenerations？
ButstillmoreastonishedamIattheusewhichhasbeenmadeofCaptainParker’sletter。Theletteriswrittenbyamaninastateoffranticrageanddisappointment。Thereneverwasanymine，hebelievesnow。Keymis’s’delayswefoundmeredelusions;forhewasfalsetoallmenandhatefultohimself，loathingtolivesincehecoulddonomorevillany。IwillspeaknomoreofthishatefulfellowtoGodandman。’Anditisonthetestimonyofamaninthistemperthatweareaskedtobelievethat’theadmiralandvice-
admiral，’RaleighandSt。Leger，aregoingtotheWesternIslands’tolookforhomeward-boundmen’：if，indeed，thelookingforhomeward-
boundmenmeansreallylookingfortheSpanishfleet，andnotmerelyforrecruitsfortheircrews。Ineverrecollect——andIhavereadprettyfullythesea-recordsofthosedays——suchasynonymusedeitherfortheMexicanorIndianfleet。Butletthisbeasitmay，theletterprovestoomuch。For，first，itprovesthatwhosoeverisnotgoingtoturn’pirate，’ourcalmandcharitablefriendCaptainParkeris;’formypart，bythepermissionofGod，IwilleitherMAKE
AVOYAGEorburymyselfinthesea。’Now，whatmakingavoyagemeantthereisnodoubt;andthesumtotaloftheletteris，thatamanintendingtoturnroverhimselfaccuses，undertheinfluenceofviolentpassion，hiscomradesofdoingthelike。Wemaybelievehimabouthimself：aboutothers，weshallwaitfortestimonyalittlelessinterested。
Buttheletterprovestoomuchagain。ForParkersaysthat’WitneyandWoolastonaregoneoffa-headtolookforhomeward-boundmen，’
thusagreeingwithRaleigh’smessagetohiswife，that’Witney，forwhomIsoldallmyplateatPlymouth，andtowhomIgavemorecreditandcountenancethantoallthecaptainsofmyfleet，ranfrommeattheGrenadas，andWoolastonwithhim。’
Andnow，reader，howdoesthisofWitney，andWoolaston，andParker’sintentionsto’pirate’separately，ifitbetrue，agreewithKingJames’sstoryofRaleigh’scallingacouncilofwarandproposinganattackonthePlate-fleet？Oneortheothermustneedsbealie;
probablyboth。Witney’sshipwasofonly160tons;Woolaston’sprobablysmaller。Fivesuchshipswouldberequired，asanyreaderofHakluytmustknow，totakeasingleCarack;anditwouldbenouserunningtheriskofhangingforanylessprize。TheSpanishmainwaswarnedandarmed，andtheWesternIslesalso。IsitpossiblethatthesetwomenwouldhavebeeninsaneenoughinsuchcircumstancestogowithoutRaleigh，iftheycouldhavegonewithhim？Andisitpossiblethathe，ifhehadanysetpurposeofattackingthePlate-
fleet，wouldnothavekeptthem，inordertoattemptthatwithhimwhichneithertheynorhecoulddowithouteachother。Moreover，no’piratical’actevertookplace;ifanyhad，weshouldhaveheardenoughaboutit;andwhyisParkertobebelievedagainstRaleighalone，whenthereislittledoubtthatheslanderedalltherestofthecaptains？Lastly，itwastothisveryParker，withMr。Treshamandanothergentleman，thatRaleighappealedbynameonthescaffold，aswitnessesthatitwashiscrewwhotriedtokeephimfromgoinghome，andnothethem。
Myownbeliefis，anditissurelysimpleandrationalenough，thatRaleigh’s’brains，’ashesaid，’werebroken’;thathehadnodistinctplan：butthat，lothtoleavetheNewWorldwithoutasecondattemptonGuiana，hewentuptoNewfoundlandtore-victual，’andwithgoodhope，’ashewrotetoWinwoodhimself，’ofkeepingtheseatillAugustwithsomefourreasonablegoodships，’probably，asOldysremarks，totryatradingvoyage;butfoundhisgentlementoodispiritedandincredulous，hismentoomutinoustodoanything;andseeinghisshipsgohomeonebyone，atlastfollowedthemhimself，becausehehadpromisedArundelandPembrokesotodo;having，afterall，ashedeclaredonthescaffold，extremedifficultyinpersuadinghismentolandatallinEngland。Theotherliesabouthim，asofhishavingintendedtodeserthissoldiersinGuiana，hishavingtakennotoolstoworkthemine，andsoforth，oneonlynoticestosaythatthe’Declaration’takescaretomakethemostofthem，withoutdeigning，afteritsfashion，toadduceanyproofbutanonymoushearsays。IfitbetruethatBacondrewupthatfamousdocument，itreflectsnocrediteitheronhishonestyorhis’inductivescience。’
SoRaleighreturns，anchorsinPlymouth。HefindsthatCaptainNorthhasbroughthomethenewsofhismishaps，andthatthereisaproclamationagainsthim，which，bythebye，lies，forittalksoflimitationsandcautionsgiventoRaleighwhichdonotappearinhiscommission;and，moreover，thatawarrantisoutforhisapprehension。Hesendshismenonshore，andstartsforLondontosurrenderhimself，incompanywithfaithfulCaptainKing，whoaloneclingstohimtothelast，andfromwhomwehavedetailsofthenextfewdays。NearAshburtonheismetbySirLewisStukely，hisnearkinsman，Vice-AdmiralofDevon，whohasorderstoarresthim。
Raleightellshimthathehassavedhimthetrouble;andthetworeturntoPlymouth，whereStukely，strangelyenough，leaveshimatlibertyandridesaboutthecountry。Weshouldbeslowinimputingbaseness：butonecannothelpsuspectingfromStukely’ssubsequentconductthathehadfromthefirstprivateorderstogiveRaleighachanceoftryingtoescape，inordertohaveahandleagainsthim，suchashisowndeedshadnotyetgiven。
Theruse，ifitexistedthen，asitdidafterwards，succeeds。
Raleighhearsbadnews。Gondomarhas——orhasnot——toldhisstorytothekingbycrying，’Piratas！piratas！piratas！’andthenrushingoutwithoutexplanation。JamesisinterrorlestwhathadhappenedshouldbreakoffthedarlingSpanishmatch。
Raleighforeseesruin，perhapsdeath。Lifeissweet，andGuianaisyetwhereitwas。Hemaywinabasketfuloftheorestill，andprovehimselfnoliar。HewillescapetoFrance。FaithfulKingfindshimaRochelleship;hetakesboattoher，goeshalfway，andreturns。
Honourissweeterthanlife，andJamesmayyetbejust。Thenextdayhebribesthemastertowaitforhimonemoreday，startsfortheshiponcemore，andagainreturnstoPlymouth——soKingwillmakeoath——ofhisownfreewill。Thetemptationmusthavebeenterribleandthesinnone。Whatkepthimfromyieldingbutinnocenceandhonour？Hewillclearhimself;andifnot，abidetheworst。StukelyandJamesfoundoutthesefacts，andmadegooduseofthemafterwards。Fornowcomes’asevereletterfrommyLords’tobringRaleighupasspeedilyashishealthwillpermit;andwithitcomesoneMannourie，aFrenchquack，ofwhomhonestKingtakeslittlenoteatthetime，butwhowillmakehimselfremembered。
Andnowbeginsaseriesofscenesmostpitiable;Raleigh’sbrainsareindeedbroken。Heisold，worn-outwiththeeffectsofhisfever，lamed，ruined，broken-hearted，and，forthefirsttimeinhislife，weakandsilly。HetakesintohisheadthepaltriestnotionthathecangaintimetopacifytheKingbyfeigninghimselfsick。HeputsimplicitfaithintherogueMannourie，whomhehasneverseenbefore。
HesendsforwardLadyRaleightoLondon——perhapsashamed——aswhowouldnothavebeen？——toplaythefoolinthatsweetpresence;andwithhergoodCaptainKing，whoistoengageoneCotterell，anoldservantofRaleigh’s，tofindashipwhereintoescape，iftheworstcomestotheworst。CotterellsendsKingtoanoldboatswainofhis，whoownsaketch。SheistolieoffTilbury;andsoKingwaitsRaleigh’sarrival。Whatpassedinthenextfourorfivedayswillneverbetrulyknown，forouronlyaccountcomesfromtwoself-
convictedvillains，StukelyandMannourie。OnthesedetailsIshallnotenter。First，becauseonecannottrustawordofthem;secondly，becausenoonewillwishtohearthemwhofeels，asIdo，howpitiableandpainfulisthesightofagreatheartandmindutterlybroken。NeithershallIspendtimeonStukely’svillanoustreatmentofRaleigh，forwhichhehadacommissionfromJamesinwriting;hispretendingtohelphimtoescape，hisgoingdowntheThamesinaboatwithhim，histryinginvaintomakehonestKingasgreatarogueashimself。Likemostrascalities，Stukely’sconduct，evenashehimselfstatesit，isveryobscure。Allthatwecanseeis，thatCotterelltoldStukelyeverything：thatStukelybadeCotterellcarryonthedeceit;thatStukelyhadordersfromheadquarterstoinciteRaleightosayordosomethingwhichmightformafreshgroundofaccusal;that，beingaclumsyrogue，hefailed，andfellbackonabettingRaleigh’sescape，asalastresource。Beitasitmay，hethrowsoffthemaskassoonasRaleighhasdoneenoughtoproveanintenttoescape;arrestshim，andconductshimtotheTower。
TheretwoshamefulmonthsarespentintryingtofindoutsomeexcuseforRaleigh’smurder。Wilsonissetoverhimasaspy;hisletterstohiswifeareintercepted。EveryartisusedtoextortaconfessionofagreatplotwithFrance，andeveryartfailsutterly——
simply，itseemstome，becausetherewasnoplot。Raleighwritesanapology，lettersofentreaty，self-justification，whatnot;all，inmyopinion，justandtrueenough;butlikehisspeechonthescaffold，weak，confused——theproductofa’brokenbrain。’However，hisheadmustcomeoff;andasalastresource，itmustbetakenoffuponthesentenceoffifteenyearsago，andhewhowascondemnedforplottingwithSpainmustdieforplottingagainsther。Itisapitiablebusiness：butasOsbornesays，inapassage（p。108ofhisMemoirsofJames）forwhichonefreelyforgiveshimallhissinsandlies，andtheyaremany——’Asthefoolishidolaterswerewonttosacrificethechoicestoftheirchildrentothedevil，soourkinggaveuphisincomparablejeweltothewillofthismonsterofambition（theSpaniard），underthepretenceofasuperannuatedtransgression，contrarytotheopinionofthemorehonestsortofgownsmen，whomaintainedthathisMajesty’spardonlayinclusivelyinthecommissionhegavehimonhissettingouttosea;itbeingincongruousthathe，whoremainedunderthenotionofonedeadinthelaw，shouldasageneraldisposeofthelivesofothers，notbeinghimselfmasterofhisown。’
Butnomatter。Hemustdie。TheQueenintercedesforhim，asdoallhonestmen：butinvain。Hehastwenty-fourhours’noticetopreparefordeath;eatsagoodbreakfast;takesacupofsackandapipe;makesaramblingspeech，inwhichonenotesonlytheintensebeliefthatheisanhonestman，andtheintensedesiretomakeothersbelieveso，intheverysmallestmatters;andthendiessmilingly，asonewearyoflife。Onemakesnocomment。Raleigh’slifereallyendedonthatdaythatpoorKeymisreturnedfromSanThome。’
Andthen？
Aswesaid，Truthisstrangerthanfiction。Nodramatistdareinventa’poeticjustice’moreperfectthanfelluponthetraitor。Itisnotalwaysso，nodoubt。Godreservesmanyagreatersinnerforthatmostawfulofallpunishments——impunity。Buttherearecrisesinanation’slifeinwhichGodmakesterribleexamples，toputbeforethemoststupidandsensualthechoiceofHercules，theupwardroadoflife，thedownwardonewhichleadstothepit。SincethetimeofPharaohandtheRedSeahost，historyisfullofsuchpalpable，unmistakablerevelationsoftheDivineNemesis;andinEngland，too，atthatmoment，thecrisiswasthere;andthejudgmentofGodwasrevealedaccordingly。SirLewisStukelyremained，itseems，atcourt;highinfavourwithJames：buthefound，nevertheless，thatpeoplelookeddarklyonhim。Likemanyself-convictedrogues，hemustneedsthrusthisheadintohisownshame;andonedayhegoestogoodoldLordCharlesHoward’shouse;forbeingVice-AdmiralofDevon，hehasaffairswiththeoldArmadahero。
Theoldlionexplodesinanunexpectedroar。’Darestthoucomeintomypresence，thoubasefellow，whoartreputedthecommonscornandcontemptofallmen？WereitnotinmineownhouseIwouldcudgeltheewithmystaffforpresumingtospeaktome！’Stukely，histailbetweenhislegs，goesoffandcomplainstoJames。’WhatshouldIdowithhim？Hanghim？Onmysawle，mon，ifIhungallthatspokeillofthee，allthetreesintheislandweretoofew。’Suchisthegratitudeofkings，thinksStukely;andretirestowritefoolishpamphletsinself-justification，which，unfortunatelyforhismemory，stillremaintomakebadworse。
Withintwelvemonthshe，therichandproudVice-AdmiralofDevon，withashieldofsixteenquarteringsandtheblood-royalinhisveins，wasdetecteddebasingtheKing’scoinwithintheprecinctsoftheroyalpalace，togetherwithhisoldaccompliceMannourie，who，beingtaken，confessedthathischargesagainstRaleighwerefalse。
Hefled，aruinedman，backtohisnativecountyandhisnobleoldseatofAffton;butAteisontheheelsofsuch-
’Slowlyshetrackshimandsure，asalyme-hound，suddenshegripshim，Crushinghim，blindinhispride，forasignandaterrortomortals。’
AterribleplebiscitumhadbeenpassedintheWestcountryagainstthebetrayerofitslastWorthy。Thegentlemenclosedtheirdoorsagainsthim;thepoorrefusedhim——sogoesthelegend——fireandwater。DrivenbytheFuries，hefledfromAffton，andwanderedwestwarddownthevaleofTaw，awaytoAppledore，andtheretookboat，andoutintotheboundlessAtlantic，overthebar，nowcrowdedwithshipping，forwhichRaleigh’sgeniushaddiscoveredanewtradeandanewworld。
Sixteenmilestothewestward，likeabluecloudonthehorizon，risestheultimaThuleofDevon，thelittleisleofLundy。Thereoneoutlyingpeakofgranite，carryingupashelfofslateuponitssouthernflank，hasdefiedthewaves，andformedanislandsomethreemileslong，desolate，flat-headed，frettedbyeveryfrostandstorm，walledallroundwithfourhundredfeetofgranitecliff，sacredonly，thenatleast，topuffinsandpirates。Overthesinglelanding-placefrownsfromthecliffthekeepofanoldruin，’MorescoCastle，’astheycallitstill，wheresomeboldrover，SirJohndeMoresco，inthetimesoftheoldEdwards，workedhisworksofdarkness：agray，weird，uncannypileofmoorstone，throughwhichallthewindsofheavenhowldayandnight。
InachamberofthatruindiedSirLewisStukely，LordofAffton，cursingGodandman。
Thesethingsaretrue。SaidInotwellthatrealityisstrangerthanromance？
ButnoNemesisfollowedJames。
TheanswerwilldependmuchuponwhatreadersconsidertobeaNemesis。IftohavefoundEnglandoneofthegreatestcountriesinEurope，andtohaveleftitoneofthemostinconsiderableanddespicable;iftobefooledbyflattererstothetopofhisbent，untilhefanciedhimselfallbutagod，whilehewasnotevenaman，andcouldneitherspeakthetruth，keephimselfsober，norlookonadrawnswordwithoutshrinking;if，lastly，tohaveleftbehindhimasonwho，inspiteofmanychivalrousinstinctsunknowntohisfather，hadbeensoindoctrinatedinthatfather’svicesastofinditimpossibletospeakthetruthevenwhenitservedhispurpose;ifallthesethingsbenoNemesis，thennonefellonJamesStuart。
Butofthatson，atleast，theinnocentbloodwasrequired。He，too，hadhisshareinthesin。InCarewRaleigh’ssimpleandmanfulpetitiontotheCommonsofEnglandfortherestorationofhisinheritancewefindasignificantfactstatedwithoutonewordofcomment，bitterorotherwise。AtPrinceHenry’sdeaththeSherbornelandshadbeengivenagaintoCarr，LordSomerset。Tohim，too，’thewhirligigoftimebroughtrounditsrevenges，’andhelostthemwhenarraignedandcondemnedforpoisoningSirThomasOverbury。ThenSirJohnDigby，afterwardsEarlofBristol，beggedSherborneoftheKing，andhadit。Pembroke（Shakspeare’sPembroke）broughtyoungCarewtocourt，hopingtomovethetyrant’sheart。Jamessawhimandshuddered;perhapsconsciencestricken，perhapsofmerecowardice。
’Helookedliketheghostofhisfather，’ashewellmight，tothatguiltysoul。GoodPembrokeadvisedhisyoungkinsmantotravel，whichhedidtillJames’sdeathinthenextyear。Thencomingover——
thisishisownstory——heaskedofParliamenttoberestoredinblood，thathemightinheritaughtthatmightfalltohiminEngland。
HispetitionwasreadtwiceintheLords。Whereon’KingCharlessentSirJamesFullarton，thenofthebed-chamber，toMr。Raleightocommandhimtocometohim;andbeingbroughtin，theKing，afterusinghimwithgreatcivility，notwithstandingtoldhimplainlythatwhenhewasprincehehadpromisedtheEarlofBristoltosecurehistitletoSherborneagainsttheheirsofSirWalterRaleigh;whereontheearlhadgivenhim，thenprince，tenthousandpounds;thatnowhewasboundtomakegoodhispromise，beingking;that，therefore，unlesshewouldquithisrightandtitletoSherborne，heneithercouldnorwouldpasshisbillofrestoration。’
YoungRaleigh，likeagoodEnglishman，’urged，’hesays，’thejustnessofhiscause;thathedesiredonlythelibertyofthesubject，andtobelefttothelaw，whichwasneverdeniedanyfreeman。’TheKingremainedobstinate。Hisnoblebrother’sloveforthemightydeadweighednothingwithhim，muchlessjustice。PooryoungRaleighwasforcedtosubmit。Theactforhisrestorationwaspassed，reservingSherborneforLordBristol，andCharlespatcheduptheaffairbyallowingtoLadyRaleighandhersonafterheralifepensionoffourhundredayear。
YoungCarewtellshisstorysimply，andwithoutanoteofbitterness;
thoughheprofesseshisintenttorangehimselfandhistwosonsforthefuture’underthebanneroftheCommonsofEngland，’hemaybearoyalistforanywordbeside。Evenwherehementionstheawfulcurseofhismother，heonlyalludestoitsfulfilmentby——’thatwhichhathhappenedsincetothatroyalfamilyistoosadanddisastrousformetorepeat，andyettoovisiblenottobediscerned。’Wecanhavenodoubtthathetellstheexacttruth。IndeedthewholestoryfitsCharles’scharactertothesmallestdetails。Thewantofanyrealsenseofjustice，combinedwiththefalsenotionofhonour;theimplacableobstinacy;thecontemptforthatlawbywhichaloneheheldhiscrown;thecombinationofunkinglinessincommandingaprivateinterviewandshamelessnessinconfessinghisownmeanness——
allthesearetruenotesofthemanwhosedeliberatesuicidestandswritten，awarningtoallbadrulerstilltheendoftime。Buthemusthavebeenarogueearlyinlife，andaneedyroguetoo。ThattenthousandpoundsofLordBristol’smoneyshouldmakemanyasentimentalistreconsider——if，indeed，sentimentalistscanbemadetoreconsider，oreventoconsider，anything——theirnotionofhimastheincarnationofpiouschivalry。
AtleastthetenthousandpoundscostCharlesdear。
Thewidow’scursefollowedhimhome。NasebyfightandtheWhitehallscaffoldweresurelyGod’sjudgmentofsuchdeeds，whateverman’smaybe。
Footnotes：
{1}NorthBritishReview，No。XLV。——1。’LifeofSirWalterRaleigh。’ByP。FraserTytler，F。R。S。London，1853。——2。’Raleigh’sDiscoveryofGuiana。’EditedbySirRobertSchomburgk（HakluytSociety），1848。——3。’LordBaconandSirWalterRaleigh。’ByM。
Napier。Cambridge，1853。——4。’Raleigh’sWorks，withLivesbyOldysandBirch。’Oxford，1829——5。’BishopGoodman’sHistoryofhisownTimes。’London，1839。
{2}Iespeciallyentreatreaders’attentiontotwoarticlesinvindicationofthemoralsofQueenElizabeth，in’Fraser’sMagazine’
of1854;tooneinthe’Westminster’of1854，onMaryStuart;andoneinthesameof1852，onEngland’sForgottenWorthies，byapennowhappilywellknowninEnglishliterature，Mr。AnthonyFroude’s。
{3}Sincethiswaswritten，asimilarAmazonianbodyguardhasbeendiscovered，Ihear，inPegu。
{4}ItistobefoundinaMS。of1596。