The English in Virginia, April 1607

T
They landed and could
see nothing but
meadows and tall
trees—
cypress, nearly three
fathoms about at the
roots,
rising straight for
sixty or eighty feet
without a branch.
In the woods were
cedars, oaks, and
walnut trees;
some beech, some elm,
black walnut, ash,
and sassafras; mul-
berry trees in
groves;
honey-suckle and
other vines hanging
in clusters on
many trees.
They stepped on
violets and other
sweet flowers,
many kinds in many
colors; straw-
berries and rasp-
berries were on
the ground.
Blackbirds with red
shoulders were
flying about
and many small birds,
some red, some blue;
the woods were full of deer;
and running
everywhere
fresh water—
brooks, rundles,
springs and creeks.
In the twilight,
through the thickets
and tall grass,
creeping upon all
fours—the
savages, their
bows in their
mouths.
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