The White Doe T-Shirt

The mysterious disappearance of the colonist on Roanoke Island, known as the "Lost Colony", has created many legends and ghost stories among southerners. But none are more popular than the tale of what happened to Virginia Dare, the first child born in the New World. 

Shorty after her birth in 1587, Virginia's grandfather John White, the governor of the Roanoke colony, set sail back to England for supplies and aid, leaving behind his granddaughter and around 100 colonists. Not long after his departure the Croatan warrior Wanchese, launched an attack against the colonists, being fearful of the English in the New World. Among the few survivors of the massacre was the little baby, Virginia Dare. 

Manteo, another warrior among the Croatan familiar to the colonists, rescued the Dare girl and the remaining colonists and took them in. Manteo and his tribe lived peacefully with the colonists and continued to care for the lies girl, whom they called "Winona". Under their careful watch Winona learned the ways of the Croatan, and grew into a beautiful maiden. Her grace and beauty began to attract the attention of suiters throughout the tribe and many competed for Winona, among them was the warrior Okisko and his rival, a mystic, Chico. 

When it came time, Okisko and Chico both offered their hand to Virginia. When she chose Okisko and rejected Chico, Chico became enraged and decided that if her could not have her love, no one would. Using his powerful magic, Chico cast a spell on Virginia, transforming her into a snow-white doe. She leaped off into the forest to hide, leaving behind Okisko. 

During the years to follow, the mysterious animal was seen throughout the island, walking through the now decaying remains of the color built by her people, gazing towards the sea as if longing for her family. Okisko and others would watch her, lingering on the edge of the forrest waiting for her to return.

The heartbroken Okisko became determined to retrieve his lost love. He traveled a far distance to consult with Wenaudon, a mighty medicine man. Knowing of the young warriors troubles, Wenaudon obliged by providing him with a special peters shell-tipped arrow. Wenaudon assured Okisko that if the magic arrow pierced the heart of the white doe, she would change back to his loving Winona.

For many months Okisko searched for the white doe, causing concern among the tribe as to where she was hiding. Hearing of the searches, the warrior Wanchese ordered a search himself for the mysterious creature. A determined Okisko, armed with this special arrow, followed Wanchese's search, hoping to be the first to find the beautiful deer. Okisko finally spotted her, bounding from the forrest to the water's edge. However, at the same moment, he spotted Wanchese, who had also caught a glimpse of the white doe. Okisko, rushing to save her, let the special arrow fly and watched it find its way into her heart.

It was at that moment that Okisko ran towards his Winona. A thick gray mist covered the white doe as the wounded animal collapsed to the ground. As he came closer the mist dissipated, and Okisko was thrilled to find Virginia Dare, lying on the ground. But as he took her into his arms, his elation turned to despair, for he saw two different arrows. His magic arrow had hit her and turned her back into a human but Wanchese had released an arrow at the same time, hitting her heart in human form. Okisko realized that while his arrow saved his lost love, the other had killed her and she was lost again. He wrapped her body in his and carried her to the lost colony, burying her in the middle of her once abandoned home. 

Today, hunters and travelers alike visiting the area, come back from the forests for Roanoke with tales of a strange white deer that is able to elude them, appearing suddenly out of the darkness and then quickly vanishes again into the mist. Many have no doubt that the identity of the mysterious phantom deer, is actually the ghost of Virginia Dare.