CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 141

fishing, Steene hundred expert soldiers,
24 pieces of ordnance, 300 muskets, &c. &c.
Improvident measures succeeded his de-
parture. The Indians dreading no other
commander, attacked them on all sides.—
The stock of provisions were lavishly
wasted. Famine succeeded After de-
vouring the skins of their horses, and the
Indians they had killed, the survivors fed
on those of their companions who had sunk
under such accumulated calamities. The
recollection of these tremendous sufferings
Were long retained, and for many yea; s this
period was remembered and distinguished
by the name of the starving time. In six
months from Smith's departure, the colony
was reduced to 60 persons of all ages and
sexes, who were so feeble and dejected, that
they could not have survived ten days
longer. They were relieved by the arri-
val of Sir Thomas Gatirs Sir George So-
mers and Captain Newport who arrived on
the 24th of May 1610. It was immediately
determined to abandon the country, and
for this purpose the wretched remnant of
the colony embarked on board the vessels
just arrived, and set sail for England. For-
tunately they were met in the river by
Lord Delawar, with three ships and a recruit
of new settlers, with provisions from En-
gland, who prevailed on them to return,
and on the 10th June re-settled at James-
town.