Serpent Never Sleeps by Scott O’Dell Page A

stood against the tree.
    "Give it over," the governor said.
    Francis Pearepoint and his band rattled their swords and began to chant, "The key, the key, the key." Reluctantly, Fitzhugh reached in his jerkin and took out a key. But before he could hand it over, Pearepoint grabbed it and disappeared with his band.
    I followed them along the path to the clearing and watched while they removed the manacles. I held my breath as they raised Anthony to their shoulders. I wept as they bore him off in triumph, like a hero.
    The following day, having thought about what he had been forced to do and perhaps regretting it, the governor spoke to the camp. He seemed aware that the incident was clear warning of worse things to come.
    "Our friends," he said, "are waiting to hear from us—those of our fleet who, I fervently pray, have arrived in Jamestown. Therefore I am sending a message to them that we are safe."
    He called out our carpenters and set them to work on one of the longboats. Using hatches from the
Sea Venture,
they decked it over tightly, fashioned a short mast and a set of sails and oars, and provisioned it with food and water to last the many weeks that were necessary for the voyage to Virginia, hundreds of miles away.
    The task was completed by the next morning. At breakfast Sir Thomas asked for six volunteers to man the longboat. Henry Ravens, mate of
Sea Venture,
came forward at once, as did Whittingham the purser, and two others.
    A long silence followed. Wind had sprung up in the night. The sky was heavily overcast and waves
were pounding the wrecked ship. Almost every day had been fair since we landed on the island. We had forgotten about the hurricane. The lowering sky and crashing waves brought it to mind.
    Governor Gates broke the silence. "It's a hazardous voyage to Jamestown," he said. "It's one I wouldn't choose to make myself, so I do not blame those who hesitate."
    Samuel Sharpe jumped to his feet, moved by the words. His wife, who had a child in her lap, reached out and pulled him back.
    "I'll not take men with wives or children, but thank you, Mr. Sharpe," the governor said, fixing his eye on Henry Shelly, a strapping young bachelor. Shelly raised his hand.
    The governor said, "We now have five brave men. We need one more, but no one who is married."
    His gaze moved over the silent ranks. I knew before it happened, before he stood up, a half-boyish, half-arrogant smile on his face, that Anthony would wait until all the men avoided each other's eyes and all were silent.
    "Foxcroft," Anthony said, lifting his hand. "Anthony Foxcroft wishes to join the crew of the longboat bound for Jamestown and the New World."
    A murmur ran through the crowd. Sir Thomas Gates caught his breath. It began to rain, and though he held his sugar-loaf hat against his chest, he didn't think to put it on.
    Anthony said, "And I suggest, Governor Gates,
since it's your concern for the rest of our fleet that prompts the voyage to Jamestown, the boat be christened
Gates' Gift,
in your honor."
    The compliment brought a flush to the governor's cheeks. He stood with his sugar-loaf hat still clutched to his chest, the rain pouring down upon his head.
    A voice came out of the crowd. "You don't dare to send my prisoner to Jamestown," Captain John Fitzhugh shouted above the roar of the wind.
    The governor roused himself. He put on his hat and said, "I dare to do what I wish. I wish to send Foxcroft to Jamestown. And since you are so attached to him, I send you also."
    The crowd cheered. Fitzhugh shouted again, but a burst of wind whipped his words away. Captain Ravens called out, asking his men to gather, and Anthony hastened to join them.
    The governor spoke to Henry Ravens. "As first mate on the
Sea Venture
you served me heroically," he said. "Now as captain of
Gates' Gift,
though she be little more than a cockleshell, you will again serve me heroically. Godspeed, and do not forget this when you are safe in Jamestown: Make every effort to