Though not one among the curious eyes turned on him, as he walked slowly towards the stem, beheld any trace of emotion on his grave face, he was consumed with the hope that he might be chosen to lead the great work.  Yet he feared, knowing that all the long voyage, almost from the time they had sailed from England, his enemies, jealous of his fame and of his power over men, had sought to undermine it and to slander his good name.  What lies they had spread through the three ships of a mutiny he was said to be instigating, until orders were passed which made him virtually a prisoner for the rest of the journey.  But he would soon find out if they intended to disregard and pass him by.

[Illustration:  “We choose today,” He cried]

When he entered the little cabin he saw seated along the transom and in the wide-armed chairs Captain Christopher Newport, Bartholomew Gosnold, Edward Wingfield, John Ratcliffe, John Martin and George Kendall.  They greeted Smith as he entered, as did the other gentlemen leaning against the bulkheads, but with no cordiality, and he knew well that they had been talking of him before he entered.  He took his seat in silence.

These men composed the Council which had been designated in the secret instructions given them when they sailed and opened after they had passed between Capes Charles and Henry.  And this Council now it was which, according to its right, was to elect their president for the year to come.  Smith now felt certain that owing to their hostility to him they had already determined among themselves what their votes should be while he was without the cabin.  The form, however, was gone through with and the result solemnly announced:  Wingfield was to be the first president of the Colony, and Smith found himself not even mentioned for the smallest office.  The others for the most part smiled with pleasure as they looked to see his disappointment, but he showed none.  Instead he rose to his feet and said: 

“Captain Newport and gentlemen of the Council, will ye let me suggest for the name of this new colony that of our gracious sovereign, King James.”

Here at last they must follow his lead, and all sprang to their feet and shouted “Jamestown let it be!”

Then began again the discussion of the spot to be chosen for their settlement.  There were those who desired a site nearer the bay; one advocated exploring the other rivers in the vicinity, the Apamatuc, the Nansamond, the Chickahominy, the Pamunkey, as the Indians called them, before deciding; but Newport, eager to return to England, would not consent.

“We choose to-day,” he cried, bringing his fist down on the table with a bang.

The island that Smith had been examining with his glass was considered.  It was large and level and not too far from the sea, said one in its favor.  The majority were for it and the others were at last brought round to their point of view.  Smith had not put forward any suggestions.  He knew whatever he advocated would have been voted down.  When asked what he thought of the island his answer, “It hath much to commend it,” left his hearers still in doubt as to his real choice.