| CHAPTER I |
| BIRTH | PAGE |
| The spread of news—Birth—Influence of birthplace—His father—His mother | 1 |
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| CHAPTER II |
| EARLY DAYS |
| His early going to Oxford—Old Ascham on quick wit and education—Life at a University—The Queen at Oxford—To the wars in France—Henry Champernoun—Stories of the wars | 11 |
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| CHAPTER III |
| TOWARDS MANHOOD |
| Friendship with George Gascoyne—Its importance—Ralegh in London—The arch-gossip Aubrey—Elizabethan London—Ralegh and Sir Humfrey Gilbert—The beginning of the great enterprise | 21 |
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| CHAPTER IV |
| THE ARRIVAL |
| In Ireland—The state of the country—Cruelty of the wars—At Rakele—Illustrative anecdotes—Smerwick—Ralegh's initiative—Lord Grey de Wilton—Exploit at Bally—In touch with the home authorities | 33 |
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| CHAPTER V |
| QUEEN'S FAVOURITE |
| Court life—The Queen's position—Her character—She takes notice of Ralegh—Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester—Sir Philip Sidney—Burghley, the Lord High Treasurer, and Walsingham—Robert Cecil—The dress of the courtier—The language of the courtier—The other side, and the other Queen—Mary, Queen of Scots—The great intrigue—Its discovery—Death of Queen Mary | 44 |
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| CHAPTER VI |
| THE GREAT ENTERPRISE |
| Scheme of colonization—Preparation—The sailing—Queen's interest—Death of Sir Humfrey Gilbert—Another charter obtained—King Wingina—Hospitality—Sir Richard Grenville—Difficulties of first colonists—Personal outfit—Misfortune | 71 |
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| CHAPTER VII |
| BUSINESS MAN |
| The Stannaries—His grasp of detail—"Do it with thy might"—Estimate of squadron—Scheme of coast defence—The clash-mills of Mr. Crymes—Irish plans | 88 |
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| CHAPTER VIII |
| AGAINST SPAIN |
| Spain's enmity—The Armada—Ralegh's opinion of tactics—With Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Norreys—The privateers | 97 |
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| CHAPTER IX |
| RALEGH AND SPENSER |
| Rise of Essex—Ralegh retires to Ireland—At Kilcolman—At Youghal—Friendship with Spenser—Brings Spenser to Court—Their dreams | 106 |
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| CHAPTER X |
| EVIL TIMES |
| Ralegh and the Puritans—John Udall—Blount—Ralegh's marriage—Queen's anger—In the Tower—His sincerity—The Episode in the "FaËrie Queene"—Madre de Dios—Robert Cecil—Sherborne | 114 |
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| CHAPTER XI |
| THE KINGDOM IN GUIANA |
| Ralegh leaves England—Arrives at Trinidad—Taking of S. Joseph—Interviews with Berreo—Dealings with natives—Starts up the river in boats—Dangers overcome—Adventures—They reach River Amana—Indian village—Within sight of Guiana—Toparimaca—Beauty of the land—Falls of the Caroli—The return—Voyage home—Arrival in England | 127 |
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| CHAPTER XII |
| CADIZ AND FAYAL |
| Division of command—Ralegh's delay—Unwillingness of men to serve—Disputes—Ralegh's wise plan of action—The attack—The sack—Ralegh wounded—His small share of spoil—Return home—Sends ship to Guiana—Death of Lady Cecil—Robert Cecil's policy—Expedition to Azores—Fayal—Quarrel with Essex | 150 |
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| CHAPTER XIII |
| THE UNDERMINING |
| Robert Cecil in power—Downfall of Essex—Ralegh's opinion of Essex—Governor of Jersey—Peril imminent | 167 |
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| CHAPTER XIV |
| SUCCESSION PLOTS |
| Possible successors to Elizabeth—Lord Henry Howard—Spies—Ralegh's position—The net is drawn round him—Letter of Cecil—Last illness and death of Elizabeth—Carey's ride to the North | 178 |
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| CHAPTER XV |
| THE TRIAL |
| Arrival of James VI. of Scotland—Ralegh in immediate disfavour—Gondomar comments on James—Ralegh accused of treason—Cobham and Brooke—Ralegh attempts suicide—Cobham's retractions—November 17—And the trial's infamy | 195 |
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