Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/71

Rh he fell down the river, in company with the last of Newport's two vessels, and, parting with her at the capes, began his survey at cape Charles. With great fatigue and danger he examined every river, inlet, and bay, on both sides the Chesapeak, as far as the mouth of Rappahannock. From thence, their provisions being exhausted, he returned to Jamestown. He reached that place on the 21st of July, and found the colony in the utmost confusion and disorder. Those who had arrived last with Newport were all sick; a general scarcity prevailed, and an universal discontent with the president, whom the colonists charged with riotously consuming the stores, and unnecessarily fatiguing the people with building in the woods a house of pleasure for himself. The seasonable arrival of Smith prevented their fury from breaking out in acts of personal violence. Their views were extended, and their spirits revived, by the accounts he gave of his discoveries, and especially, by the hopes he entertained, which must have been founded on misinterpreting the intelligence received from some of the savages, that the waters of the Chesapeak communicated with the South sea.

They contented themselves with deposing their president, and Smith was urged, but refused, to succeed him.