Chris Schweizer

See also: Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales

Manteo (Roanoke) and Wanchese (Croatan) serve as guides through the historical mystery of the disappearance of the first English settlement on Roanoke island. In 1584, Roanoke was part of the Secotan territory, on the border with the Chowanoke tribe and the Weapemeoc tribe (9). The English arrived with the intention to settle, in order to have a base from which to attack Spanish ships, but their colony had poor leadership and not enough supplies. Governor White returned to England for supplies, but wasn't able to return to Roanoke for much longer than planned; by the time any English returned to the island, the settlers were gone, the word CROATAN carved into a tree.

After presenting the story chronologically, with context and commentary provided by Manteo and Wanchese, the author lays out the many theories - some likely, some farfetched - about Roanoke and invites the reader to consider them. An afterword explains the difference between primary and secondary sources, and archaeological evidence, but no further reading or additional sources are given.

Quotes

War for the Algonquian nations was a different concept than it was for the English settlers...
"War was often seen as a way to get justice, and justice was seen as balance between tribes. Once balance was restored, the war was over." (Manteo, 19)

"Having a stubborn, tyrannical, hot-tempered, and inexperienced leader like Grenville would make life miserable for everyone. It would also lead to some serious problems with the Secotan Natives." (Wanchese, 48)

"When I see weakness, I kill people and take their stuff, so that's going to shape my worldview." (Grenville, 50)

"Lane, whose colony depended entirely on support from Natives for food and guidance, had succeeded in making enemies of all three of the Carolina Algonquian nations. Thanks for his actions, the colony was doomed." (61)

"Why are they running?"
"Probably because they've met us." (81)

"The English had proven that they were dangerous neighbors. They had no qualms about taking our food, destroying our homes, and even killing us. The diseases that they carried wiped out huge portions of our population.
Even the kindest and most generous of them saw us as inferior, and to them "living in harmony" would simply mean that we would have to adopt their religion, customs, and way of life. I could see clearly that if they were to say in America, it would be the end of our way of life, and perhaps the end of our very existence. I had no choice but to rise up against those who would destroy us." (Manteo, 84)… (más)