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 of steers to draw them. The spade and shovel, hoe and mattox, continued to be the only agricultural implements.

As Dale was now satisfied with the general condition of the Colony, he decided in the spring of 1616 to return to England, affairs in Virginia being left in the guardianship of George Yeardley as deputy governor. The first act of Yeardley, in this new character, was one of extraordinary importance in its relation to the future growth of the country. By the terms of their agreement with Sir Thomas Gates made previous to his departure in 1614, the laborers in Charles Hundred could claim their freedom at the end of three years, and from this time enjoy the full returns of their own industry. They demanded now