Spurred on by Sir Walter Raleigh, John White leads 120 men, women, and children across the treacherous Atlantic to colonize the wilds of Virginia. Landing at Roanoke Island in July of 1587-with hostile Indians afoot and little food for winter-the colonists persuade White to return to England for the supplies and help they need. After a terrifying ocean crossing, White finds every available British ship pressed into service against the looming threat of the Spanish Armada. When White finally returns to Virginia after three years, the colonists are nowhere to be found. Their fate still remains one of history's most puzzling mysteries.