*':*Ii

., u.^m

■r ..,^;:>„;--1^,:,.--,fei;,

-■'ft, i*.,l^

^iv m ii^'f'.,'^:...-

•|../^.;;p. I

■p' ir t

If s' It i'^' i >>

'Mi^'mf^'

■,:.\. ■;■ , ■ If

UNIVERSITY or PITTSBURGH

Dar.

D26F5

Darlington Alemorial Ldbrary

Focahon tas ran with niownfiil distraction to th^ block.

THE

FIRST SETTLERS

OF

VIRGINIA,

AN HISTORICAL NOVEL,

INHIBITING A VIEW OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS or THE COIONY

AT JAMES TOWN,

A PICTURE OF INDIAN MANNERS, THE COUNTENANCE

OF THE COUNTRY, AND ITS NATURAL

PRODUCTIONS.

The second Edition considerahly enlarged.

NEW-YORK: PRINTED FOR I. RILEY AND CO.

NO. 1 CITY-HOTEL, BROAD-WAY.

1806.

A. r

District of'. Nexv-Yor' ^ ^^^

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the nineteenth day of September, in the thirtieth Year of the Independence of the United States of America, Isaac Riley, of the said District, hath depo- sited in this office, the title of a Book, the right wliereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit ;

" The First Settlers ofVirginia,an Historical Noxel,ex}iibit- " ing a View of the Rise and Progress of the Colony at James' " Town. A Picture of Indian Manners ; the Countenances *' of the C&untry, and its natural Productions."

THE SECOND EDITION CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED.

In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, " by securing tiie Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the •' Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the time *' tiierein mentioned ; and extending the benefits thereof to "the Arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and " other paintings."

EDWARD DUNSCOMB,

Clerk of the District of NexV'Tork*

Printed , by Soutladck 4" Hurdcastlc, No 2, IVaU-slreet, New-York.

TO

E. JENNER, M. D. OF BERKELEY,

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, m OLD ENGLAND,

T-his Volume is inscribed With perfect respect, By his affectionate. Humble Servant, THE AUTHOR. NeW'Tork, January, 1806.

EXTRACTS

From the British Reviews and American Publications respectijig Pokahontas and its Author.

Unus deus, una Veritas. EDINBURGH REVIEW.

" WE never met with any tiling naore abominably stupid " than this romantic: legend about the Princess Pokahontas, •' daughter of the Emperor Powhatan, who fell in love with ** Captain Smith, soon after the first colonization of Virginia. " All that we can understand of the story is this : Capt. Smith " runs away from Pokahontas ; and she, after weeping some " time for the fugitive hero, marries the living one a Captain *' Rolfe, and comes over to England with him, where she lives

** at Brentford, and dies at Gravesend Mr. Davis is a peda-

*' gogue, who would be a wit and a fine gentleman. His style " is made up of pedantry, vulgarity, affectation and conceit."

Article written by a young Virginian gentleman studying at Edinburgh.

MONTHLY REVIEW.

" The adventures of Capt. Smith, who was the founder of " the first colony on the Chesapeak, possess superior interest ; " the history of his captivity and of the love of Pokahontas, is '* sufficient to give reputation to the writer."

CRITICAL REVIEW.

*' We have not read without emotion the affecting story of " the tender Pokahontas. Ifwriters were tb be discriminated " by their resemblance to painters, Mr. Davis might be called ** theTenlers of Narrative. He paints from life, and to every " character exhibited, the heart secretly acknowledges, " That ** is a likeness." His language and manner are equally pet- " spicuous and interesting."

ANNUAL REVIEW.

** For the interesting tale of Pokahontas we must refer tb« " reader to the volume itself. Mr. Davis possesses the eye that ** caa see nature, and the heart that can feci nature. We be*

A3

VI

" hold with pleasure his delineation of natural objects. Hi9 " scenes are evidently sketched from observation. Those little *' traits which the painter or poet would have seized, he has " seldom overlooked ; he tells U3 of the long and beautiful " moss, which, spreading from the branches of one tree to " those of another, extends through whole forests. The author " obviously possesses a quick and observant eye, and those ever ** wakeful talents that could enliven any science.

** Mr. Davis has given us the memoirs of his own life. The " vanity of self-biography never fails to excite the sarcasm and " contempt of those, who themselves indulge a far less pardon- *' able vanity ; who, being by nature inferior, counteract the '' painful consciousness of inferiority, by looking in every man, " and every author for his faults ; nor is this author's account " of himself such as will conciliate the favour of the world. " Possessed of genius, and conscious of the possession, Mr. ''' Davis is guilty of every thing that can provoke envy, hatred, " malice and uncharitableness."

Page 54. Article written by Athur Aikin.

BRITISH CPvITIC.

*' This writer is lively, entertaining, and often interest- "ing."

From Dr. yenner^ Discoverer of the Vaccine Inocu- lation^ to y, Davis, " Dear Sir, " You do me honour in requesting permission to inscrilx' to " me your Indian Tale. I am sorry that I am not likely to •' be favoured with an interview before your departure for Am e- " rica. Much is due from me to many gentlemen on the con- " tinent, particularly my friend Dr Waterhouse, to whom I " hope you will be introduced ; indeed I think it probable that "this letter without any thing further would obtain that end, as ♦* the doctor is a gentleman of liberal mind, and you will find " in him the man of science and tlie piiilanthropist. He " was the first who took up my system of inoculation in " America, aiid has toiled hard in this new field. I write " in haste. Pray tell me as nearly as ydu can, the time of your " sailing, and from what port? Shall 1 consign my packet to- " you in London, or where ?

" Your obedient, " And very faithful, " Humble servant,

" E. JENNER. « Cheltenham, 26th AuguU, 1804."

Vll

"Dear Sir, ' . «{ >

" I tJiank you for your last obliging letter, but am sorry tci' " tell you it has not been in my power since to make up the in- " tended dispatch for my friend Doctor Waterhouse. I'his I *• hope will reach you time enougli to request you to present " my best regards to the Doctor, and to tell him that 1 liope he " has seen my public advertisement in some of the continental " papers, otherwise he must be astonished at my long silence, " The fact is that ray correspondence on the Vaccine subject " became soburthensome and oppresive, that I felt necessitated *' to request my friends not to be offended at my seeming ncg- *' lect of their letters. Accept my best wishes for a pleasant '* voyage, and for your general welfare.

" Your very faithful servant,

" E. JENNER. " Cheltenham, 19th September, 1804. '* 1 write in very great haste.''

Billet from the President of the United States,

" Th : Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Davis, and " his thanks for the book he sent him. He has subscribed with *' pleasure to his Indian Tale.*

"Washington. March 8 1805."

Billet from Doctor Barton,

" Doctor Barton feeling an interest in Mr. Davis's under- " taking, will be truly happy to furnish him with any works in •' his possession relative to the Indian History of North Ame- " rica.

" Piiiladelphia, May 4, 1805."

* It having been asserted with most diabolical malice by the Editor of the Evening Post at New-York (hie niger est, "hunc tu Romane caveto) that 1 have forged these or some other let- ters ; the originals of these, and all other letters I ever published may be seen by any person wiiose scepticism may have been raised by the base calumniator that has thus endeavoured to blast my character. Mr. Dennie has not only seen my originals, but he has now in his hands a letter to me from his Grace the Duke of Bedford; allowing me to dedicate CJiatterton to him.

Till

Ffom Professor Glrardtn of William and Mary College^

" We ail here rejoice at the appearance of our interesting " Indian Princess. You are a magician. Your wand possesses ** the power of animating even my heart.

"Williamsburgli, July 11, 1805." ^

Fori Folio.

•' Whatever may be the prejudices of some, or the catils of *> others, Mr. Davis has certainly caught the spirit of the best •* English writers."

By Mr. Denni«.

Philadelphia Monthly Magazine.

" Those who have not had an opportunity of judging of \fr. **• Davis's abilities by the perusal of his former productions, wil] *' feel great attractions to the present work in the nature of the •' subject, which is purely American, and which relates to two " of the most interesting personages in early American His- " tory.

•'C. B. Brown.*

m^y^oq fcfl^PX PROFESSOR GIRABDIN, ,...n<li ns-bnl '^

■ - •■)Tiv"."rc *?f^' **

J AMES TOWN is situated in a small peuinsiila on the north side of James river, about eight miles S. S. W. of Williams- burg ; and it claims our interest as the cradle of the now pow- erful, flourishing and populous slate of Virginia.

When the Europeans tirst landed on the unkiwwn shores of America, many circumstances iundered them from selecting for tfifelr infant settlements the most advantageous scites. The country was covered with lofty and almost impenetrable fo- rests'; deep and extensive morasses arrested their steps. The hungry lords of the silvan shades, the still more formidable In- dians, together with the necessity of holding with the mother country an easy and frequent intercourse, compelled them to fix on sonie secure situation near the sea coast, or along the banis of navigable rivers. In process of lime, enterprize and industry, overcame every difficulty, every terror. The soil, tlie wtlcl, beasts, the tierce natives themselves, yielded to the superior energies of civilized man. Neat mansions rose wlvere rude Indian huts had stood; the fertilizing plough-share siicceeded the murderous tornahawk, and rich, cultivated fields smiled where a rank'vegetation had spread for ages its wild luxuri- ancy. It was then that the new and more favourable situations were chosen for building towns, and the original settlements partly or totally abandoned. Hence the wonder of European travellers must cease, when, in their progress through the American states, they find in places comparatively young and recent, mournful images of decrepitude and antiquity : and the silence of gloomy depopulation, where they had, perhaps, expected the gay bustle of an active, emulous crowd.

Othrr causes too, seem to have contributed to the removal of govcrment from James Town, and lo its subsequent solitude. Nicholson aspired to tlie glory of founding a city. Utterly devoted ta VVilliam III. he named it Williamsburg in honour of that monarch ; and his ingenious flattery paid to the same prince a singular homage in tracing the streets, which now run parallel, in the form of a W.*

f In the view now offered to the public, James Town is represented as seen from a point on the bank of a river, in the

* The seat of government was removed in the time of Ni- cholson from James Town to Middle-Plantation, now Williams- burg.

+ A coloured \iew accompanies the original.

S* S. W. part of the peninsula. The venerable ruins 'of ae old church steeple, from the top of which serpentine garlands of smilax, ivy, and other climbing and saxatile plants, hang in irregular festoons ; the beautiful contrasting groups of trees and shrubs which partly encircle it, and among which the sycamore and the tulip tree or poplar hold a conspicuous rank ; the sepulchral monuments beneath their shade ; the houses in the back ground, which seem to peep through the interposing curtain of verdure, and one of which has been fantastically ornamented by nature with a mantle of climbing trumpet flower; the domestic birds wandering here and there, and seeking the support of sensitive life amid the very trophies of death, unconscious of the sacredness of the spot ; the various, birds sailing through the air, unmolested by the hostility of man; the swift barks silently gliding along the lonely shore ; and other prominent objects, which it is needless to indicate, form an ensemble highly harmonic and picturesque.

It was imposssble to embrace in a quarto view the southern bank of the river ; its abrupt cliffs, and elevated promontories, capped with Ike sombre verdure of coniferous pine and cedar trees; the ijeautiful amphitheatre behind, presenting to the delighted eye neat villas, smiling fields, romantic copses and groves; and terminating, on that side, by a range of bold "woody hills, a sublime, enchanting horizon. The almost unlimited prospect of the noble stream gradually widening, and evolving with tranquil majesty its cerulean waters, over which the western sun shed, whilst we contemplated the scene, golden tints of the richest hue, v?as found above the powers either of imitation or description.

As monuments of art, and when compared with those superb fragments of a bold and majestic architecture which Egypt, Syria, Greece, Italy and other regions of the Eastern hemis- phere, present to admiring travellers, the ruins of James Town are humble and inconsiderable; nor whilst exploring its shores do we tread on " Classic Ground." Yet, the emotions which the aspect of those rude national vestiges conveys to the soul, are powerfully enthusiastic, rapturously melancholy — Her« nothing foreign or indifferent. The retrospect is not suffi- ciently remote to fatigne and obscure " the mind's eye ;" and the distance of depopulation is too small to preclude the con- tact of sensibility. Here, no artificial impressions. The amor patrias, the memory, the imagination, act in concert with irre- sistible force. VVe feel, we recollect, we indulge, by turns the sorrows and the pleasures of the fancy not only as men, but as citizens. Every surrounding ruin is transformed into an ac- quaintance, a friend in distress, with whon) we sympathise,

., XI

an* hold mournful converse. Under such feelings, (and such feelings are necessarily excited) the scenery becomes truly interesting, truly pathetic.

The contrast between the ravages of time and the fecundity of nature is here peculiarly striking. Where the one destroys the other creates. Love nestles, life teems, among those des- olate fragments. iSeveral families of the feathered race inhabit the grey clefts of the mouldering steeple; from those clefts and from the fissures in some of the ruinous tomb stones i?sue vari- :ous shrubs, grasses and creeping plants, wiiich sliade or embrace their mossy surfaces, spreading a thick veil over the inscriptions traced by the pious hand of affectionate sorrow. This, how- tever, is not the case with all tlie sepulchral monuments in the lugubrious group. Some, containing the ashes of the ancestors and friends of neighbouring families, are religiously protected

against the injuries of time, and any rude violation. Would

not a total inclosure of so sacred a spot at the national expence

be highly commendable? " There are no monuments," says St.

Pierre, ** more interesting than the tombs of men, especially

iV those of our kindred. It is worthy of remark that all savage,

■^*.and even most civilized nations have made the tombs of their

, f* ancestors the centre of their worship, and an essential part of

.,*' their religion. This pious melancholy prevails every where.

;?* In China, the tombs of ancestors constitute one of the prin-

j?* cipal ornaments of the suburbs of towns, and of the hills in

!** the country. Among savage nations they form the strongest

" link in the social chain. When at any period, the Europeans

** have proposed to the latter to quit their native tenitory, they

*' have uniformly answered, " shall we say to the bones of our

" forefathers, arise and follow us into a foreign land ?" '^lo

" them that objection has always appeared insurmountable. —

** Our voluptuaries who, sometimes, return to natural sentiments,

."*' have fictitious tombs erected in their gardens. A tomb is a

)?**' monument placed on the limits of both worlds."

If thus consecrated by the national veneration, if adorned, too, with a suitable monument to the memory of the most con- 'Spicuousand deserving among the fathers of Virginia, we knovr enough of the human heart to assert that the cemetry at James Town, so impressive even in its present state, could not be viewed without exciting emotions of a patriotic, exalted, and virtuous tendency !

Under the influence of the sentiments which tve have so faintly described, we could not, whilst exploring the desolate beach, forbear affixing to a tree which overhangs the river, the Collowing humble ioscriprioo.

Xll

Primis Virginias Colonis,

Prsecipue

JOANNI SMITH;

qui oppidum hoc,

Parvum magnse posteagentisrudimenlum,

(Eheu ! nunc situ et minis horrens I)

A. D. MDCVil condidere,

Paulatim auxere Et Coloniam

Fame, morbo, barbaroium furore, pene opprcEsam,

Consilio, virtute Perseverantia,

Restiluere, florentem postt'ris tradidere.;

Arbos ista, dum vivet,

ESTO SACRA! (Die August! xxv. A. D. MDCCCIV.)

EPITAPH FOR POKAHONTAS.

BY J. DAVIS.

Here Pokalionlas sleeps, wliose form did grace Powhatan's banks ; may roses shade tlie place.

POKAHONTAS.

I

N consulting the annals of the world for a character, who, while he gives incitement by his renown, may afford instruction by his ex- ample, I know none more deserving of cele- bration than that of Capt. Smith; and if, in tracing the progress of the colony he settled on James River, there be superadded the adventures he was involved in, history, with- out losing its dignity, will acquire new at- tractions.

The Merchants of London having obtain- ed a patent from James I. to encourage dis- coveries in Virginia, they fitted out three vessels, and appointed John Smith to com- mand the expedition : a man who had dis- tinguished himself from his earliest youth in the profession of arms: for he had not only been in several naval engagements, but had headed a forlorn hope in nn attack upon Olimpach, and slain three Turks in single combat, at the siege of Regal.

B

14

The little squadron placed under the com* mand of this distinguished captain, was com. posed of one vessel of a hundred tons, ano- ther of forty, and one of twenty ; and it was in the midst of winter, when, clearing the English channel, they committed themselves to the mercy of the Atlantic ocean. Many sighed and wept, believing they should never beheld their country again ; and all cast a longing, lingering look behind at the shore, "which soon became too small for sight.

The first week the squadron went prospe- rously forward j but soon after the wind came a-head, and for six days blew violently from the west, producing a sea that ran moun- tains high, and ever and anon assailed furi- ously the tall bark, which, unable, from its heavy cargo to rise on the element, had to contend with every wave. At length the gale attained to such force that nearly all gave themselves up for lost ; and n.Hhing was heard but lamentation, mourning, and woe. In a word, it was in such a gale that C' limi- bus threw overboard the notices of his dis- coveries, and Diaz relinquished his enter- prize of doubling the Promontory of Tem- <l)ests.

15

The approach of the vessels to their desti- ned coast was announced not only hy the apr pearance of several birds that liovered round them, but by spots of green and yellow weeds* on the surface of the water, which seemed to iiave been washed from some rock, or cliff. They, llierefore concluded that they were nt)t far from land, and Capt. Smith was shortly- after confirmed in this opinion by a small lo- cust or grasshopper, alive upon the weeds.

At the next dawn of day three little land- birds visited Capt. Smith's ship, and after wel- coming him with a song, flew away in a west- ern direction : more grasshoppers appeared on the weeds, and a water-wag-tail was seen pur- suing a large flock of gulls. But tokens yet more manifest were a cane, a staff and the branch of a thorn with the berries upon it. They took up a staff that was ingeniously however rudely carved , and about night fall, what confirmed them in the certainty that land was pretty nigh, they brought up sand with their soundings. The ^essels of the squadron were now laid too, and about ten at night, Capt. Smith saw a light, and privately calling to him John Rolfe, a young officer whom he greatly esteemed, bade him look at

16

it ; he answered that he saw it. Then they called Thomas 'Hunt, chaplain to the colony, who could not see it ; but a little afterwards a boy named Walter Lewis called out that he saw a light, and it looked like a candle carried to and fro. At four o'clock sail was made on the squadron, and, when the day began to break, the little brig, which was a-head, made signs of land, which soon rose like a new creation from the sea, in presence of all.

It was on the ^6th of April, 1606, that the little squadron under the direction of Capf . Smith, came within sight of the x\meri- can ccast, and it had by accident got into the mouth of that bay, which is now so well known by the name of Chesapeake.

This bay is the largest in the world. The distance between its capes is about twelve miles, but it widens, when entered, till it be- comes thirty miles in breadth, when it dimi- nishes again to its head, and is from eighteen to seven miles broad. It is five miles broad at its extremity, where the Elk and Susque- hannah fall into it ; and here its length from the sea is two hundred and seventy miles, through the whole of which extent the tide ebbs and flows.

17

This mighty bay receives tiie streams of six large rivers from the west, all of which ar« navigable, and have their soarce in the same mountains.

Of these the southernmost is James river, called Powhatan by the natives; the next York river, named by the Indians Pamun- key; the third the Rappahannock, which preserves its original title j the fourth, the Po- tomac, distinguished by its irruption through^ the Blue Ridge; the fifth, the Patuxent, re- markable for its red clifls ; the sixth the Pat- apsco, called by its discoverer the Bolus j and the seventh, the Susquehannah, the northern most of all, and the most serpentine in its course.

Of these noble rivers several flow through, countries of vast extent, receiving in their course a variety of tributary streams, and wa- tering a soil distinguished by features peculi- arly beautiful and sublime.

The land which Capt. Smith had come with in sight of, was uncommonly low. It appeared at a distance like the. tops of trees emerging above the water; and as thesquad» ron approached the coast, there was not the smallest acclivity visible; the prospect never.

18

rising above the height of the pines which everlastingly covered the soil.

Of the promontories of the bay, Capt. Smith named the southernmost Cape Henry, and the northernmost Cape Charles, in com- pliment to the sons of his reigning monarch; and, though the vessels dropt frequently their anchors, yet sixteen days were spent in seek- ing a proper place for their first settlement.

The shores v/ere now lined with the natives, who srazed with ineffable astonishment at the squadron under sail, and prostrated them- selves at the thunder of their cannon. Their wonder may be conceived at the sight of a ship. They were scared out of their wits to see the monster come sailing into their har- bour, and spitting fjre with a mighty noise out of her floating side.

Capt. Smith went on shore in his boat and •was kindly received by the natives, who in- vited him. and his companions to their town Kecoughtan, where Hampton is now built, it was situated at the head of a spacious bay, which ran up north from the mouth of P w- hatan river, and is now so popular under the name of Hampton roads. Here they were feasted with cakes made cf Indian corn, an4 legaled with tobacco cuid a dance.

ID

Proceeding up the river, another company of Indians appeared in arms ; and tlieir chief, Apamatica, holding in one hand his bow and arrow, and in the other a pipe of tobacco, de- manded the cause of their cominor ; thej made signs of peace, and were hospitably re- ceived.

Having searched the wh )Ie of the river Powhatan, captain Smith, on the 13th of Mav, with the unanimous consent of the co- lonists, made choice of a peninsula where the ships could lie moored to the trees, as the place of their intended settlement Here they were visited by Pasipha, anotlier Indian chief, who being made acquainted with their design, oilered them as much land as they wanted. On this spot the colonists built their huts, and Capt. Smith threw up a small fort, in the form of a half-moon, which he barrica- ded with trunks of trees. To their settlement they very consistently gave the name of James Town, and, in the same spirit of com- pliment, dignified Powhatan with the title of James river.

After five weeks stay before the town, the ships, having recruited their word and water, set sail again for England, leaving one hun-

dred and eigtt adventurers to establish the coion)^ Of these more than half were men of family. The Captains Martin and Kendal had already distinguished themselves in arms^ ^nd the mien, loi.ks and speech of Percy and Rolfe, blazoned forth their claim to the title of gentlemen.

Being left to their fortunes, the chief part of the Colonists were seized with sickness and tlebility ; but this only stimulated Smith to spur the industiy of those who were capable of labour. He set some to mow, some to bind thatch, some to build huts and others to thatch them ; being always himself the most active at work, and neglecting his own lodg- ings to procure them for his comrades.

A small town rose on the banks of the majestic river that poured with solemn ma- jesty its expanded waters into the capacious bosom of the Chesapeake ; and the busy hum lof men was now heard in th-^se regions of awful silence which had before been disturbed only by the scream of the eagle, and the roar of the cataract.

It is only in active life that men can es- timate their qualities, f ^r it is impossible to answer for that courage which has never en?

countered danger, or that fortitude which haa never had any evils to support. The situation of the colonists was now the touchstone of their moral character. A scanty supply of provisions, and the uncertainty of recruiting them in a country where every imagination was filled with the barbarity of the natives, disquieted the breasts of those whose nerves weve not firm.

The colony being in great want of provis- ions, Capt. Smith picked out some of his best hands, and embarked in a shallop which they had brought from England, to seek a supply. The party consisted of only six men, ill provi- ded with clothes and other necessaries ; but the deficiency of numbers and ecpiipment was compensated by the resolution and address of their leader.

They proceeded down James river to Ke- coughtan, where the natives, knowing the needy state of the c?lony, treated them with contempt ; offering an ear of Indian corn in exchange for a musket or a sword, and less for their tattered jackets, trovvsers and hats.

At first Capt. Smith practised all the arts of blandishment, but finding that courtesy only rendered tiiem more insolent, he hauled liis

55

boat on shore, and drawing his men up in a body, discharged a voley of musketry among the inhospitable natives.

Thus suddenly assailed, the affrighed In- dians fled into the woods. The party then searched their wigwams, in which they found plenty of corn ; but Smith, suspecting the In- dians would rally and attack him, thought more of defence than booty.

In a short time they appeared to the numLer of seventj', formed into a square, and carrying their idol Okee, an image hewed out of wood, cloa;hed with skins, stuffed with moss, and adorned with the feathers of birds ; an image of an aspect so uncouth that it filled the whole party with a burst of laughter, without excepting Smith, who, though often seen to smile, w-as seldom heard to laugh. Yet warm and consci .us from the presence of their Okee, the Indians ad- vanced singing to the charge, armed with clubs and target?, b nvs and arrows.

The party received them with a volley of shot which brought several to the ground, and their idol am^ng them. This disheart- ened the rest. They fled with precipitation into the woods, and sent a deputation to of- fer peace, and redeem their God.

23

Capt. Smith having in his hands so valu- a])le a pledge was able to bring the Indians to his own terms. He stipulated that six of them should come unarmed aiid load his b'^at vvitii corn, and that on this condition he would not only restore their god, but give them hatchets and beads, and rings and copper. The stipulations were faithfully performed on both sides ; and the Indians not only loaded the boat with corn, but presented him and his party with venison and turkeys. They then c-ntinued singing and dancing till their de- parture.

During Capt. Smith's absence, several of the Colonists weary of their condition, fitted out the pinnace to escape to England. He returned at the moment the party were embarking. He found Capt. Kendal at their head, a man of determined resolution. He however, declared that before the pin- nace left James Town, he would fall fighting to detain her. A civil broil ensued. With a great disparity of force, he made an assault sword in hand, on Capt. Kendal and his malcontents ; several fell on both sides, till at length Kendal being slain fighting hand to hand with Smith, the embarking party

24

called for quarter, and laid down their arms. In this conflict Rolf and Percy eminently distinguished themselves ; and sergeant Jef- frey was severely wonded in espousing the cause of Capt. Smith.

And now the winter approaching, the ri- vers became so covered with swans, geete, ducks and cranes, that the colonists feasted abundantly, and were reconciled to their lot.

One of the tributary streams to the river Powhatan is that of Chickahominy, which de- scended about four miles below the infant settlement. From its fertile banks the colony hoped to be supplied with food, and it was an object of importance to discover its source. The dread of an ambush from the Indians deterred the majority from the undertaking; but, Capt. Smith, ever delighting in enter- prise, gallantly vuidertook himseli to explore the bead of tlie river, having found six others who were willing to become the sharers of his danger.

Having with much labour cleared a pas- sage for his barge, by ftlling the trees on the borders of the river, he got to a broad bay, the middle cf which was beyond the reach of an arrow from cither side. Here he moored

25

the barge, and accompanied by two of his men, Robinson and Emery, proceeded up the river in a canoe, strictly enjoining the people left in the barge not to land on any condition. But no sooner had he departed than the crew gratified their impulse to land ; and were received by a discharge of arrows from an am- bush of three hundred Indians under the command of Opechancanough, a subtile and savage barbarian, who had vigilantly watch- ed their motions.

Each now consulted his safety by flying to the water-side, and swimming cif to the barge, but one George Cassen, who could not swim well, was overtaken by the Indians, who, iiaving extorted from him the way his captain was gone, scalped him on the spot, and went in pursuit of Smith.

Capt. Smith had gone about a dozen miles up the river, and had discovered its source among swamps and morasses. Here he left the canoe to the care of his companions, Robinson and Emery, and penetrated the w^oods with his gun in search of wild turkeys.

In the mean t'me Opechancanough was not backward in the pursuit. He traced the course which Capt. Smith had taken, and

26

came upon the canoe, in which he found the two men, overome with fatigue, locked in profound sleep. These they dispatched with their tomahawks, and scalping them in haste, prosecuted their search after Smith.

It was n >t long before the gallant adven- turer found himself beset by these barbarians; but the imminent danger to which he was exposed only animated him to more heroism, and he determined to die with a resistance worthy his former reputation for courage. So warmly did he receive the attack of his savage enemies, that he laid six of them dead on the spot. A panic seized the whole ; none dared advance ; and Smith, keeping the Indians thus at bay, endeavoured to gam his canoe ; but regarding his enemy more than his footsteps, he suddenly plunged in an oozy creek, and stuck fast in the mire.

The Indians, astonished at his bravery, did not approach him, till, throwing away his arms, he made signs that he had surrendered, when they drew him out of the swamp, and led him to a fire they had kindled, vviiere his slain companions were lying.

This sight admonished Smith what he was to expect. He asked for the cliief of the

27

party, and being shewn Opechancanoiigh, he presented him a round ivory compass and dial, which he had taken with him to deter- mine the conrse of the river.

The vibrations of the needle, and the fly under the glass, which the savage chief could see but not touch, afforded him much amuse- ment ; but when the wonder excited b}^ it had subsided with its novelty. Smith was tied up to a tree, and the Indians prepared to dis- patch him with their arrows. But just as an archer was drawing his bow-string, Opechan- canough called to him to desist, and haran- gued his people in a concise speech, who formed a circle on the ground to hear him, yelling out at every sentence a diabolical cry of IVhoo wJioo zvhoop !

" The stranger," said Opechancanough, " whom we have made captive, was sent " hither by the Evil spirit. [A cry of JVlioo " zvhoo zvhoop!~\ We will not tomahawk hirr. " [A mournful cry of Whoo zvhoo zvhoop!~\ " He is in league with the Evil Spirit, and by " sparing his life, we may perhaps sooth his " anger and pacify his resentment." [A dreadful cry of Whoo zvhoo zvhoop !

No orator of antiquity ever exceeded this

Indian chief in the force of his emphasis, and the propriety of his gesture. Indeed the whole scene was highly dignified. The ex- pression of his countenance, the enthusiasm of his tone, his significant attitudes, looking frequently up toy heaven, now casting his eyes down on the ground, now pointing to the prisoner, and anon to the river ; his rude cos- tume, naked arm, and erect stature, with a circle of auditors seated on the ground, and in the open air, could not but impress Smith with a lively idea of the celebrated speakers of ancient Greece and Rome.

Opechancanough was a person of distinc- tion. He was brother to Powhatan, a power- ful king of Pamunkey, whose will was a law among his numerous subjects. To Powhatan he formed the resclution of delivering his pris- oner, but first he wished to lead him in show and triumph about the country. For this purpose they bent tlieir course towards Ora- pakes, lying on the upper part of Chickahomi- ny swamp, from whence they liad come. The Indians in their march drew themselves up in a file, and Opechancanough walked in the centre, having the English swQrds and mus- kt;ts carried before him. Smith followed the

29

chief, led by a couple of Indians, holding him fast by each arm ; and on either side went six in file, with their arrows ca itiously notched.

When the Indians had arrived within hear- ing of the town, they set u]) different cries to give their countrymen notice of the event of their expedition. They uttered six dismal yells to announce that tsix of their party had been slain ; atid sent f rth one war-who'spto proclaim they had brought h'^me a prisoner.

The yell of these Indians resembled the sound of JF/ioo whoo whoopl which was con- tinued in a long shrill tone till their breath was exhausted, when they suddenly paused with a horrid shout. The v\'ar-whoop was a cry yet louder, which they modulated into notes, by placing the hand before the mouth. They could be both very distinctly heard at a con- siderable distance.

It was evening when the Indians approach- ed with their captive the town of Orapakes.. It was situated in the desart between Chicka- hominy and Ycughtanund. It was composed of three rows of wigwams, and that of Wam- panoag, the chief warrior, was of great dimtfn- sions and very commodious. The moon was. walking in brightness through a cloudless sky,, c ^

30

the fire-fly was on the wing, and the melan" choly n ;te of the Muckawiss was heard from the woods.*

The whole of the village came out to learn the particulars of what they had only heard in general terms ; and now a widow was to be seen mourning her husband, a mistress bewail- ing her lover, and children crymg for their fathers.

But unspeakable was the astonishment of the women and children on beholding the prisoner, who was so unlike any human being they had ever before seen. They gazed with speechless wonder at him; some clasping their hands in dumb admiration ; some contrasting the redness of their own colour with the white- ness of his ; and others unbuttoning his clothes and buttoning them again with a loud laugh.

The men, however betrayed, or affected to betray, no emotions of surprise^ The old people sat with stoicial composure in separate circles on the ground, smoking their calumets by moonlight, and conversing with profound

* The Muckawiss was afterwards named Whip-poor-will by llie EngUsli; from the fanciful assimilation of its cry to those words.

31

gravity ; while the y-ung fellows jmrsued the exercises that engaged them, shooting arrows at a mark, throwing the hatchet, wrestling, and running. All the domestic drudgery devolved on the women. Of these some were busied in splitting wood, some bearing logs from the forest, and some kindling fires.

Smith was conducted to the wigwam of Wampanoag, which was illuminated by a blazing fire of wood. It was the constant employment of several little girls to feed it with pine knots ; and a supply of fuel was brought from time to time by a bUnd Indian man, who, with a load on his back, was led about by a b'^y.

The wigwam was the seat of mirth and jollity. A number of squaws approached the prisoner, and forming a circle round him, joined hands and began to dance. Their long black hair floated down their backs, and heiglitened the natural grace of their motions. The dance was succeeded by a supper, which was prepared by the matrons. And Smith was so plentifully feasted with bread and ven- ison, that he suspected their intention was to fatten and eat him.

Smith passed the night in the wigwam oi

32

Wampannag, where he was witness to the mode of carrying on an Indian intrigue. When Wampanoag and his family were snoring on their mats, a young Indian stole softly through the door, walking on his hands and feet. Smith who was not iurnorant of the implacable resentment of the Indian charac- ter, suspected it was some assassin coming to revenge the death of a relation ; and seizing a tomahawk that lay on the ground, he prepa- red to resist him j but he soon discovered that a softer passion than revenge stimulated the breast of the nccturnal visitor. The Indian gently approached the dying embers of the fne, and, lighting a splinter of wood, advan- ced with great caution towards a young squaw, who was reposing in the wigwam ; he then uncovered her head till she waked, or pretended to awake. The nym.ph rising up, the lover held to her the light, which he had carefully concealed in the hollow of his hand ; and which she immediately blew cut. This act inflamed the resoectful lover to b{»ldness; for it evinced that the neart oi his mistress was n t cruel.

It is not to be supposed that the slumbers of Smith were very soft 3 but, ho\\ ever he

33

might have been inclined to sleep, the horrid noises that prevailed throughout the night in the village would have rendered it impractica- ble j for the relations of those whom he had slain never remitted their yells, but when one was exhausted anotherprolonged the clamour.

The next morning an Indian, whose son during the night had been seized with a deli-^ rious fever, attempted to kill him, but was prevented by the guard. The superstition of the savage had ascribed his son's disorder to the sorcery of the prisoner, whom the Indians conducted to the dying youth, imploring he would recover him. Smith, having examhied the fellow, assumed a p*;ofound look, and informed the by-standers that he had a wa- ter at James Town, which, in such a dis- order, never failed to produce a cure 3 but Opechancanough had more cunning than to allow him to cro and fetch it.

Smith found the Iiidians at Orapakes mak- ing the greaL'^st preparations for an assault up- on JasU'-'s Town. To facilitate their designs, Wampanoag demanrled his advice and assist- ance ; h.-ldingout to him the alluring rewards of life and liberty and lands and women. But he represented the danger of the attempt^

54

and described the springing of mines and great guns, with such an aggravation of hor- ror, that the hearers were exceedingly amazed and terrified. And then he per- suaded some of them to go to James Town, under the pretence of obtaining beads ; and in the leaf of his pocket-book he apprized the colonists of the warlike preparations of the besiegers, directing them to affright the messengers with the explosion of bombs, and not to fail sending the things that he wrote for. AVithin three days the messen- gers returned, greatl}^ astonished themselves, and filling the hearers with astonishment, at the dreadful explosions they had witnessed ; nor less wondering how the prisoner could divine, or make the paper speak j for all things were delivered to them as he had so- lemnly prophesied.

The meditated attack upon James Town being laid aside, Opechancanough led Smith in triumph through the country, exhibiting him with high exultation to the Youghta- nunds, and Mattaponies, the Piankataiiks and Nantaughtacunds. They afterwards conducted him through the country of the Nominies 5 and when for several weeks he

CJo

had raised the wonder of some, and provoked the laughter of others, they hroiight him to Opechancanougu's cliief town on the river Pamunkey. Tiie curiosity of the women was here again excited ; and the Indians, in con- ducting him through the cr^id, performed with triumphant antics their military exer- cise ; throwing themsehes into a war-dance with every distortion of body, and yelling out the most diabohcal screeches and notes.

Here Smith was confmed three days in a separate wigwam ; during which time the inhabitants came in crouds with frightful bowlings and hellish ceremonies, conjuring him to declare whether be intended them good or ill. After this they brought him a bag of gun- powder, and desired to know what kind of grain it was j for they judged it to be the produce of the earth, and carefully preserved it to plant the next spring.

At length captain Smith was conducted to Werocomoco, where Powhatan, the In- dian emperor, lived in savage state and mag- nificence. When he was brought into the royal wigwam, he found the king sitting upon a wooden throne, elevated considerably above the floor, before a, large fire, clothec'

56

in a flowing robe cf raccoon skins, and wear- ing on his head a coronet of feathers ; at each side of him sat a young squaw, to whom all the other women observed a pro- found deference ; and along each side of the wigwam were two rows of men, and behind them as many of w :men, having their heads and shoulders painted red, and wearing round their necks a gveat chain of white beads. The women discovered their aston- ishment on beholding Smith, by loud excla- mations ; and the grim courtiers of the sa- vage monarch stood wondering at him, as though he had been a mcnster.

There v/ere two courtiers in waitings Opitchapan a chief war-captain, and Kaho- ky the high priest. Opitchapan was a man of imposing appearance. The upper part of his hair, cut short, formed a ridge which stood up hke the comb of a cock. The rest was knotted behind his ears. He had a large feather through th.e cartilage of liis nose, a tablet over i)is breast, made of a shell, and to his girdle was hung an otter's skin of which the tail was fastened between his legs. He was a tall, straight man, with black lank hair, of a copper colour com-

S7

p5exion, but no beard. He had a tomahawk hanging to his girdle on one side, a scalping kniie at the other, and a quiver on his back.

The habit of Kahoky dilFered httle from that ri Opitchapan ; but his face and body were grimmed over with soot.

When Smith entered the roj^al wigwam, the whole court gave a shout ; and the queen of Appamattox presented him water to wash, while one of the concubines left the throne, and brought him a bunch of feathers instead of a towel to dry himself.

The person of Smith was tall, graceful and manly. His visage was striking. He had an eye to command, to threaten, or soothe. His aspect bespoke a man ready to face his man, } et capable of moderation ; a charac- ter comprehending both firmness and refine- ment ; blending taste with energy, and while ready to bit, yet able to forbear. It was a countenance tLat indicated a mind not easy to be deceived, and ever disposed m? re to suspicion tiian credulity. His vigorous, ac- tive figure q-iaiiti-T-d him eminently for the ex- ercises of tiie field. It resembled mere the graceful manliness of the Belvidere Apollo ,-

38

tlian the robust structure of the Farnese Hercules.

The influence of the passions is uniform, and their effects nearly the same in eveiy human brcjist ; hence love operates in the same manner throughout the world, and dis- covers itself by the same symptoms in the breasts of beings separated by animmeasure- able ocean. When Smith appeared before Powhatan, the first impression he made de- cided favourably for him on the minds of the women. This his knowledge of the sex soon discovered. But there was one young girl who could not conceal those soft emotions of which the female bosom is so susceptible; she cast at him looks of mingled tenderness and pity ; and when the prisoner, defenceless and bound, sustained the frowning threats of the haughty monarch, tears burst from her ■eyes, and lamentations from her lips. It is in vain to attempt opposing the inroads of the Blmd God 3 the path of love is a path to which there is no end, in which there is no remedy for lovers but to give up their souls. This tender girl was the daughter of the Indian m, narch. She was of a delicate form, but admirably proportioiicd. Her fine

39

dark eyes beamed forth that moral sense, which imparts a magic to every look, and constitutes expresbion. There was a dash of melancholy in her countenance more inte- resting than smiles. It denoted a vacancy of heart ; the \vant of some one object on whom to fix her a'declions. There was a de- licious redness in her cherub li[)s, a red, a lit- tle riper than that which burnt on her cheek, and the nether one somewhat fuller than the ether, looked as if some bee had newly slung it. Her long black hair emulated in colour the glossy plumage of the eagle, and reflect- ed the like lustre at different exposures to the light. It flowed in luxuriant tresses down her comely back and neck, half con- cealing the polish and symmetry, the rise and fall, of a bosom just beginning to fill. She was called Pokahontas. In a word, if not so beautiful as Venus, she was more sim- ple than her doves, and her voice was not less sweet than the song of a seraph.

The same night a long and serious consul- tation was held by the king and his counsel- lors, when a large stone was brought before Powhatan, and several men assembled with clubs in their hands. The lamentations of;

the women admonished Smith of his destiny ; who, being brought bhndfolded to the spot, his head was laid on the stone, and the men prepared with their clubs to beat out his brains. The women now became more bit-; ter in their lamentations over the victim ; but the savage monai'ch was inexorable, and the executioners were lifting their clubs to perform the office of death, when Pokahon- tas ran with mournful distraction to the stone, and getting the victim's head in her arms, laid her own upon it to receive the blow. Fair Spirit ! thou ministering Angel at the throne of grace ! if souls disengaged from their earthly bondage can witness from the bosom of eternal light what is passing here below, accept, sweet seraph, this tribute to thy humanity.

Powhatan was not wanting in paternal ■feeling ; his soul was devoted to his daughter Pokahontas ; and so much did his ferocity relent at this display of her innocent softness, that he pronounced the prisoner's pardon, and dismissed the executioners. Indeed every heart melted into tenderness at the scene. The joy of the young princess ex-

4T

pressed itself in silence 3 she hung wildly (3ir the neck of the reprieved victim, weeping with a violence that choaked her atterance.

The flame of love was now lighted up in the bosom of the Indian maid. Not content with the simpler graces of nature, she diversi- fied the strings of coral that encircled her neck, suspended to her ears the most brilliant of the humming-birds, and interwove the gayest flowers of the spring with the streaming tresses of her hair. In the variations that marked the adjustment of her hair she dis- played no little coquetiy. One while she would suffer it to riot down her comely neck and shoulders, shading, but not hiding the protuberance of her bosom ; and anon she would braid it close up behind,, while the string of flowers that encircled it was lost in its profusion. And then, gay and conscious, she would steal to the clear stream, and gaze at her own image reflected below.

Her passion discovered itself by a thousand- wild charms. She would lead captain Smith by moon-light to the fafls of the river,. where lulled into a delicious languor by the melody of the mock-bird, and the cadence of the^

D. a

42

stream, she would lay before him the spoils that her lovers had presented to her ; the trophies of warriors, and the laurels of princes. She wor.ld then point to tlie east, and, looking up at him tenderl}^ endeavour to learn by signs whether lie was content to be with her, or again wanted to cross the wide rolling ocean.

To all this loveliness and innocent art cap- lain Smith replied with smiles, but they were smiles he imposed on his countenance, and not those of passion. The object of his heart was the colony he had founded, and in- tent only upon this, he sat musing and ab- stracted amidst the endearments of the •princess^

About a week after the interposition cf Pckabontas between captain Smith and the war-club of the ferocious executioner, her brother Nantaquas returned from a journey be} ond the niountains. Tiie joy of Poka- hontas was unspeakable at his return. She would fondly embrace hiii>, wind round him her arms, or hanging to his shoulders, look np at him with bewitching sweetness. But Kantaquas little regarding her endearments, "was lost in motionless abstraction at the vi-

4S

sion of captain Smith, his figure, colouf^, speech and costume,

Nantaquas sat down before the fire of the royal wigwam, and began to smoke his pipe in solemn silence. It was to no purpose that Pokahontas, throwing into her looks the ut- most softness and affection, enquired his ad- ventures. His eyes were rivetted to Smith, and curiosity triumphing, he demanded from his sister the history of the stranger.

It was then the sweet girl related to him the whole of his story, with every amplifi- cation of panegyric that untutored tender- ness could suggest. She told him how he had traversed the wide waste of water, from regions not dreamed of in the speculations of their forefathers ; how he had been surprised by Opechancanough, and with what intrepi- dity he had defended himself against a dispa- rity of force ; how he had been led by her father to the block, and how she had run between him and the uplifted tomahawk.

It was then the emotions of the young red warrior discovered themselves in all the ebul- htion of native greatness, lie first tenderly embraced his sister for her sensibility, and

ruiining to captain Smith, fell on his neck with mingled rapture and admiration.

During this interesting spectacle Powha- tan entered the wigwam, accompanied by his chief war-captain and high-priest. He seemed pleased with the friendship which Nantaquas felt for captain Smith, and said to the youth, " My son, I have granted the " white man his life, that he may make " hatchets for you, and beads for jour sister."

" No, sire !" replied the prince, " Life " without liberty is only a burden ! Let " the stranger return to his expecting coun- " trymen. He has not injured us ; he has '* taken nothing by force. He wants only a " little ground ; you can easily space it."

Powhatan was about to reply, when a na- ked red boy ran into the wigwam, and culled to the young prince that a wood-pelican had just lighted upon a cypress before the door. Nantaquas did not stop to hear more, but, seizing his bow and quiver, with a shrill and terrible whoop, he bounded out of the wig- wam.

The pelican was sitting solitary and sad upon the topmost limb of a tall dead cypress tree. His neck was contracted and drawn

A5

in upon his shoulders, and his beak rested like a long scythe upon his breast. The young red warrior dispatched him with his bow, and the bird came tumbUng down among the dead branches of the tree.

Pokahontas ran out to see the impaled bird. Nantaquas was cutting him up with his scalp- ing knife, and had aheady pulled out of the bag or pouch under his threat, a young rattle-snake and a large frog.

The tail of the bird, which was large and white, was the object of Nantaquas's avidity ; and he gave it to Pokahontas to stain its feathers with a zone of red, and construct from it a royal standard for his file cf red war- riors when he next went to battle.

It was the custom of Powhatan when he was weary of his women^^to bestow them among; those of his courtiers who had ina:ra- tiated themselves into his favour ; nor could his servants be more honoured than by this mark of his esteem.

Powhatan had conceived a very high predi- lection for Capt. Smith. He had caused his person to be adorned with a robe of racoon- skins, similar to that which he wore himself, with all the tails hanging to them s and ^^hen

46

he was glutted with the possession of the two women who sat at his throne, he signified it to be his royal pleasure to consign one of them to his guest.

No sooner did this intelligence reach the ears of the squaws, than a bitter controversy took place between them respecting which of the two was more worthy of pre-eminence. Jealousy cannot, like other passions, be res- trained by modesty or prudence ^ a vent it will have ; and soon it burst forth from these women with the impetuosity of a torrent. They had neither nails nor fingers enough to scratch with, nor a voiubility of tongue suffi- cient to deliver the abuse that laboured with convulsive throes to come forth from their bosoms.

At length Powhatan separated the comba- tants, and told Capt. Smith to make his choice. But Capt. Smith, who was a man that never forgot the respect due to himself, declined with cold civility the honour his majesty intended him^ to the unspeakable joy of Pokahontas, who had awaited the event in soHtude and tears.

The friendship of Nantaquas for Capt. Smith grew now stronger every hour, and one

47

day he accosted Powhatan on the subject of his release, in the presence of the high priest and chief war-captains.

" My father, and you, O warriors," ex- claimed the young prince, "lend an ear to my " discourse. The white man who here stands " before you, was never outdone by the red. " He is intrepid in war, and active in the " chase. He can undergo toil. He will ** swim all day, drag his canoe against the " falls, and is always on his guard against ** surprize from an enemy."

The whole of this harangue from the young

prince, was accompanied with corresponding

action. One while he would represent a

man pushing forward a canoe with a pole,

and anon paddling with an oar; sometimes

he seemed out of breath, and then resuming

his spirits, became more calm. ^

" He kept the fierce Opechancanough and

** three hundred of his chief warriors at bay ;

" bidding defiance to their arrows, their toma-

" hawks and scalping knives."

Here the young prince threw himself into several hostile attitudes.

" None dared to approach him. They all " stood motionless with terror , and it is not " to their prowess, b ut accident, that the

4S

" wliite man owes his captivity. O consent, " my father ! and you, O warriors second the *' petition I make, that the prisoner be res- " tored to his expecting countrymen."

Opitchapan, the chief war-captain of Pow- hatan, now stood up, amidst the circle of au- ditors seated on the ground.

" Hear, O my king," cried Opitchapan, " and ^ou, O chief warriors, the prophetic " voice of warning. Let us not bury the to- " mahawk. The bones of six warriors, slain " by the captive, are yet uncovered, and " their spirits cry out against us."

Here tears flowed from the eyes of Opit- chapan, and the war-whoop trembled on his lips.

" The genii, who are the guardians r{ our •^ honour, inspire us to crush the whites, who " have ravished from us our lands, laid waste *' our fields, and slain our brethren in arms. *' Be not, theref' re, passive, but anoint your *' hair, paint your faces, fill y :>ur quivers, make *' the woods ring with y^ur whoop, console *' the spirits of the murdered, and tell them *' thi-y are avenged."

Ana here, snaiching up his tomahawk in a transport of fury, he began to sing the song of war.

49

Kahoky, the high priest was now consulted, who, rising, spoke as follows :

" Though it becomes my sacred function *• to promote peace and quiet, yet in this " cause I burn with impatience to imbrue " both my hands in the blood of the whites. '* They come not only to rob, but to make " inroads on our religion. Brothers ' by the " inspiration of the Great Spirit ! I now " speak unto you, and by him I am prompt- " ed to wipe away the blood of the slain. " Let us assemble and march through the " war-path to surprise them. Let us take " their scapls, drink their blood, and roasfc " them aUve."

" O king, my father," resumed Nanta- *' quas, " restore the white man to liberty, " and let me conduct him to his brethren. " AVe will forget our songs of war, and ex- " change them for songs of peace. I will " make a great chain of friendship with the " whites, never to be broken. We will " smoke together; we wiU smoke as brothers " out of the pipe of peace. Hear me, sire ! " Great designs fi'l my breast.. I will learn " vvhatever arts are of use and advantage, -*' and introduce them into my own country."

E

50

Two tlays after these debates, Powhatan disguised himself in the most frightful man- ner his imagination could suggest. He then caused Capt. Smith to be carried to a great wigwam in the woods, and there to be left alone on a mat by the fire. Not long after, from behind a kind of arras that divided the apartment, was made the most doleful noise his ears had ever heard ; and presently, Pow- hatan, with about two hundred of his Indians frightfully disguised, rushed from behind the arras, with the most hellish shouts and cries, cast themselves into a ring about the fire, singing and dancing with strange variety, of- ten relapsing into their infernal passions, and then solemnly betaking themselves again to sing and dance. Powhatan advanced to- wards Capt. Smith and informed him that they were now friends, and that he should immediately go to James Town, and send him one cf the engines of war whose voice could mimic the thunder of the clouds ; that he would give him the country of Capahowsic in exchange for it, and ever after esteem him next to his son Nantaquas.

The next morning Capt. Smith set cut for James Town, accompanied by the young

51

prince, Pawhimt, the confidential servant of Powhatan, Namasket, Chillaback and Saco- net, three distinguished young warriors, be- «ides seven more of subordinate rank, who composed the travelling train of the prince.

Miami, son to Kahoky, the high-priest, contended to make cne of the party in the stead of Saconet ; and a dispute ensued, which rose to such a height that brandishing their tomahawks, thcv would have determined the affair by single combat, had not Powha- tan disarmed them with an annrv frown. So violent was the rage of Miami that, after he had been disclaimed, he stood half an hour at the door of his father's wigviam, looking at Saconet with a vindictive aspect, and in sullen silence.

Pokahontas beheld the departure of Capt. Smith with eyes brimful of tears. She had not been apprized of it, and that day had put on for the first time a cloak higeniously wo- ven from the scarlet feathers of the Flamingo, which a prince from the nation of the Kan- havvas had laid at her feet. It was just large enough to cover her beautiful bosom and shoulders, and was ornamented round tfie edges with a fanciful fringe. But her counte-

6t

«ance was now at variance with the gaiety of her dress. She looked extremely dejected; and when Capt. Smith came to salute and t)id her farewell, she replied with loud weeping.

Nantaquas and his three young compani- ens, Namasket, Chillaback and Saconet, were equipped, either for the sports of the field, or a conflict with an enemy. In des- cribing the dress of the Prince, I describe the dress of all. His long black hair hung loose, rioting on his match coat, thrown gracefully over his shoulders. His leggings, which, by their tightness, displayed his mus- cular growth, reached halfway up the thigh, and wanted only waistbands to resemble pantaloons : they were sewed to his mocas- sins, and embroidered round the ancle, and at the seams, with porcupine quills. In one hand he held his bow, and over his back was slung a quiver, which was made of the skin of a wolf, with the head hanging to it. Such was the costume of tlie young red prince, who, leaning on his bow, meditated either hunting, war or love.

Kahoky the priest, having burnt tobacco instead of incense to the sun, to bribe him to send fair weather and a prosperous jour-

SB

ney to the party, the young prince and his retinue went dancing and singing out of the town, amidst the war-whoop of the men and the acclamations of the women.

Their road lay through a country well stocked with oaks, poplars, pines, cedars and cypress. The theatre of nature could be scarcely more magnificent. For here rose tall forests, there rolled a large river, and herds of wild animals were seen browsing on its banks. The whole country displayed au exuberant verdure ; the dog wood was shed- ding its blossoms in the wilderness, and the wild strawberry purpled the woods, the fields, the plains.

The party encamped at evening, round a cypress, which invited them to repose after the fatigue of their march. The cypress is in the first order of American trees. Its ma- jestic stature, the stateliness of its trunk, lifting its cumbrous branches towards the skies, tlie delicacy of its colour, and the texture of its leaves, fill the mind with ming- led emotions of pleasure and awe. Fr^ m its mighty branches hang streamers of long moss, which fLat in the wind 5 and on its z2

54

lofty top the eagle builds his nest, and the stork finds a resting p^ace.

The sun was descending beneath the moun- tains, the shadows of the Indians grew longer, the wild geese, in successive flocks, pursuing their flight home, proclaimed their passage by their cries ; and a mocking-bird, perched on a neighbouring white thorn, was warbling to the last rays of day his farewell song.

The mocking-bird is the sweetest chorister of the feathered race, without excepting even the nightingale. Mobile it possesses the power of imitating the notes of other birds, it equals that charming songster in the pecu- liar melody of its own strain.

But the mocking-bird mingles action with its song, and its measured movements accom- pany and express the succession of its emo- tions. Its prelude is to rise slowly with ex- panded wings, and soon sink back to the same spot, its head hanging downwards. Its action now corresponds with the varied nature of its music. If the notes are brisk and lively, it describes in the air a number t)f circles crossing each other ; or it ascends and descends continually in a spiral line. If they are loud-and rapid, it with equal brisk-

55

ness flaps its wings. Is its song unequal ? it flutter?, it bounds. Do its tones soften by degrees, melt into tender strains, and die away in a pause more charming than the sweetest music ? it gently diminishes its ac- tion, glides smoothly above its resting place, till the wavings of its wings begin to be im- perceptible, at last cease, and the bird re- mains suspended and motionless in the air.

About noon of the second day's journey, the young prince and his party approached an Indian village, situated on the rising bank of a small river. Some of the youths were naked, up to their hips in water, fishing with rods and lines ; while others, younger, were diverting themselves in shooting frogs with their bows and arrows. On seeing Smith, the children took to tiieir heels and ran to some squaws, who were gazing before their wigwams ; but the stouter youth stood their ground, and began to shout with great voci- feration.

Saconet hastened forward to announce to the inhabitants the coming of the son of Powhatan, to whom they were tributary ; when a herald went round to proclaim the news, and the whole village came out, fol-

56

lowing tlieir chief, who presented to the prince the pipe of peace, euriously painted, and ornamented with feathers.

The prince smoked out of the pipe with graceful condescension, when the tributary chief dug a hole in the ground, and buried a painted tomahawk. The prince, in his turn, presented a belt of wampum to the chief j which served as a new ratification of peace, and wa^ to record to the latest poste- rity, by the hieroglyphics into which the shells were formed, every stipulated article in the treaty between them.

A repast of venison and homony was now served to the visitors, which was succeed- ed by a dance composed of the prince and his warriors, and the most beautiful virgins of the village. They beat the ground with their feet to the music of a drum made of a skin stretched over a gourd -, and when they bad danced till the mcon gilded the trees, and the expiring fire of the wigwam scarce ref- lected the shadov/s of the dancers, the chief of the village admonished his princely guest of the lateness of the hour, and haranguing him with great solemnity, entreated that he ^nd his young warriors would connrm the

bond of friendship with his tribe, by selecting each a mistress from the virgins of the dance. Upon which the nymphs affecting terror in their looks, took to their heels into the woods, followed closely by Nantaquas and his warri- ors, who soon returned to the wigwam, amidst the shouts of the village, each bearing in his arms a throbbing bosomed partner.

The party now resumed their journey through a country which might be assimilat- ed to one continued forest. Tall trees of pine, planted by the hand of nature, in re- gular rows, bordered their path. All was rudeness, silence and solitude. No animal was seen but here and there a deer gliding through the trees, and no sound was heard but that of the wood-pecker. There was no oiher object to employ the sight, and no other noise to disturb the repose of the wil- derness.

The wood-pecker, in striking his beak against a tree, makes a sharp noise, which he keeps up for some time by quick repeti- tion. It is a bird of pecuhar instinct. It looks for worms among the trunks of those trees that have lost their bark. It clasps the tree with its breast close, and listens if it can

58

hear a worm eating the wood. On the first sound, it pierces the wood in that part, and pricking the worm with its hard and pointed tongue, instantly draws it out.

Ofci approaching the settlement of James- Town, Nant aquas and iiis party set up the cry of arrival. Capt. Smith hastened for- ward, and was received with great warmth by Percy and Rolfe, and the acclamations of the whole colony.

And thus, Capt. Smith, after seven weeks* captivity, returned to James Town, improved in his knowledge of the country, and the lan- guage of the natives. He behaved to the young prince and his party with the most flattering attention ; and having shewn Paw- hunt a brass nine-pounder, desired he would cany it with his compliments to the king, Tlie weight of the cannon soon deterred him from the attempt j but when the Indians saw Capt. Smith discharge it, loaded with stone, amidst the boughs of a large oak, they ran with wonder and dismay from the engine of terror.

Finding ever)'- effort ineffectual to trans- port the gun to Powhatan, their attention was turned to the toys Capt. Smith exhibited

.59

before them. With these he leaded the young prince and his whole party, after se- lecting the most dazzhng as presents for Pow- hatan, Opitchapan, and the tender Pokahon- tas.

When Capt. Smith returned to James Town, he found the colony in the utmost confusion. They considered their affairs des- perate, and were fitting out a bark to return to England. Our adventurer exerted his abilities to frustrate the execution of this pro- ject. He lost no occasion to adorn with every embellishment of imagination, the beauty and fertihty of the country he had travelled through; he dwelt with admiration on the grain deposited in the store-houses of the natives ; and, in fact, represented it to be a second Canaan, a land that flowed with milk and honey. His eloquence was not without the desired effect. He prevailed upon the bravest of the colonists to alter their resolution, and by their influence he overaw- ed the extravagant projects of the rest. The Virginians, therefore, jnstly regard him as the saviour of that infant plantation.

The colonists now thought once more of maintaining the fort ; and in this resolution

60

they were confirmed by the coming of Nan- taquas and Pokahontas, with a numerous train of attendants, loaded with Indian corn, and other grain of the country.

The colonists flocked with eager curiosity to behold the Indian princess, who had saved, by her interposition, the life of their chief; nor was their admiration less excited by the beauty of her perscn, than the humanity of her disposition.

The acclamations of the croud affected to tears the sensibility of the princess ; but her native modesty was abashed ; she clung inno- cently to Smith, and hid her face in his b-^som.

The same year Capt. Newport arrived from England, with a reinfcrcement of men, and a supply of provisions. The ship also brought a quantity of trinkets, and Capt. Newport, under the escort of C-^pt. Smith, made a journey to AVerocomoco, to trade with Powhatan.

They were accompanied by twenty gentle- men of the colony, among whom were Percy and Rolfe.

The Indian monarch strained himself to the utmost, of his greatness to receive them ; his people giving loud shouts, his warriors

61

making orations, and his women joining in a dance.

They found him sitting upon a bed of mats, of which the pillow was leather embroidered with pearls ; and at his head and feet sat a young squaw.

On each side of the wigwam sat twenty women in rows, and behind them his chief men in like order. Several hundred men composed a guard for the passage of the English; and proclamation was made that no one, on pain cf death, should do thein any wrong.

Nantaquas alddressed them in an oration of love, and presented a large chain cf beads to Capt. Newport, in token of the friend- ship of the monarch his fiither ; while Po- kahontas prepared a feast to regale the white guests.

Three days were spent in feasting and dancing. The Indian girls became snon practised in the European dance. The country dance and reel »\'ere danced with much grace by Pokahontas and R: Ife ; and Percy, &c. gave their hands to the otlier Indian damsels, to the m.anifest diversi*!) of Powhatan, whose throne shook with laughter.

62

At length they came to trade, when the Indian monarch carried himself so nobly, as jnade all the EngUsh admire his natural gifts.

" Capt. Newport," said Powhatan, " it ** is not agreeable to my greatness in this *' peddling manner to trade for trifles ; and " I esteem you also a great Werowance : ** lay down, therefore, at once, all your " goods, and I will give you the full value " for them."

Capt. Smith, who stood as mterpreter, perceived Powhatan wanted to cheat New- port, and warned him of it ; but he, think- ing to out-brave the savage prince, displayed the whole cf his store.

Powhatan then set such a price on his corn, that not more than four bushels could be obtained, and the necessary supply would have failed the colony, had not the inventive genius of Capt. Smith devised an artifice which proved successful. He had secreted some trifles, and among them a parcel of blue beads, which, apparently without de- sign, he exposed to the eye of Powhatan. The bait caught him, and he earnestly desir- ed to purchase them. Smith, in his turn, raised their value ; extoUing them as the

63

most precious jewels, resembling the co- lour of the sky, and worthy the noblest so- vereigns in the universe. The imagination of the Indian monarch was inflamed, and he made large offers. Capt. Smith affected to hold a council with his people, and at length exchanged a p- und of blue beads for five hundred bushels of corn.

"Having finished the necessary business of the season, and dispatched Captain New- port's ship for England, Capt. Smith under- took a voyage of discovery, with twelve others. They went down James river in an open barge, in company with the ship ; and having parted with her at Cape Henry, they crossed the mouth of the bay, and fell in with a cluster of islands without Cape Charles, which they called Smith's Isles, a name they still bear. Sailing along the coast, the native* ran amazed in troops from place to place, with every one a basket, and dancing in a ring to draw them ashore. But their mo- tions being also hostile, the boat's crew dis- charged a volley of muskets loaded with pistol shot among them ; upon which they all fell sprawling upon the ground, some

64

creeping one way and some another, into the adjacent trees.

Leaving the eastern shore, and stretching to the northward, they reached a woody soil frequented with wolves, bears and deer. Having entered several considerable creeks, the party became weary of discovery, and importuned Capt. Smith to return to James Town ; urging that their provisions were spoiled with salt water.

"Gentlemen," said the Captain " youcan- " not but recollect the memorable history " of Sir Ralph Lane, how his company impor- " tuned him to prosecute the discovery of AIo- " ratico, alledging they had yet a dog in their " boat to subsist on ; then what a shame it is " in you to desire me to return, when we have " so much provisions left , and are scarce " able yet to say whither we have been. " Regain, therefore, 3'our old spirits, for " return I will not (if God please) till I have " seen the Massavvomeks and found the Po- " tomac."

This speech called three loud cheers from the barge's crew, who oflered to accompany their Captain to the end of the world.

65

A iew days after, they fell in with the Po- tomac, which was seven inilei broad. They sailed thirty miles up it, Mitht ut seeing any inhabitants ; but at length several thousand!^ crouded to the strand, painted and disguised, shouting and yelling. AVith these natives Capt. Smith bartered beads for corn, stipulat- ing they should come unarmed, and give him a child or two as hostages.

They next sailed up the Patapsco, where the boat grounded, and, while they were waiting for the tide, they employed them- selves in sticking with their swords the fish which were left on the flats. Capt, Smith having stuck his sword into a stingray, the fish raised its tail, and with its sharp indented thorn wounded him in the arm. The wound- was extremely painful, and he swelled so monstrously that they expected him to die j and he gave them orders to bury him on a neighbouring island. But one of the party, by the help of the oil of the fish, so allayed the swelling, that theCaptian was able to eat part of it lor his supper. The place, from this occurrence, was called Stingray Pointy which' name it still retains.

F g _

66

Proceeding up the Susquehannah, thcj found the natives simple and friendly. The order of the day was to have prayers with a psalm, at which the Indians much wondered. The prayers being over, they were engaged in a consultation till their business was con- trived, when they began in a most passionate manner to hold up their hands to the sun, with a fearful song, and embracing Capt. Smith, fell to worship him . He rebuked them for their adoration, pointing out to them the true god, but they proceeded in their song, and an oration of their love.

The highest mountains which they saw, in the north, they called Peregrine's Mount^ and certain promontories were named Wat- kins', Read's and Montford's points, after the names of those in the barge who discov- ered them. A rocky river was called Wil- loughby river, in honour of the place where Capt. Smith was born ; and, having buried one of their party in a small bay, they named it Featherstone's bay, after the name of the deceased.

They were hospitably entertained by the people of Moraughtacund, and ISIosco, a

67

young Indian, embarked with them to facili- tate their discoveries. He advised them to avoid the Rappahannocks, " who," he said^ " would kill them for their being friends " with the Moraughtacunds, with whom " they were at war." This representation, however, could not withold the Captain from crossing over to the Rappahannocks.

Several of the chiefs came to receive the En- glish. The Captain pursuant to his caution, demanded to exchange a man in sign of love, and, after some consultation, four or five In- dains came up to their middles in water, to fetch the white man and leave a red one in his steadv They further said, the whites need not fear them, for they had neither clubs, nor bows, nor arrows.

Notwithstanding these professions. Anas Todkill, the hostage, having gone about two stones' throw up the plain, discovered an am- buscade of several hundred Indians behind the trees, and, offering to return to the boat, an Indian chief laid hold of him. Upon this he called out to Capt. Smith that he was be- trayed , and before he had spoken, the In- dian hostage leaped overboard 3 but sergeant

68

JefTrev, his Ivoeprr, slew him in the water. And immediately the English let fly am ng the Indians, so that they all fled, and Anas escaped.

Captain Smith followed them up into the woods, where they found several slain, and a young Indian wounded in the knee, unaljle to move. Mosco, on beholding him, was as furious as a dog against a bear, and would have beaten out his brains ; but the Captain had him carried to the barge, where he dressed his wound.

Then he told Mosco to ask who he was, and what countries were beyond the moun- tains. The youth mildly answered, *' he " came from Hassinninga, where there were *' three Kings on a visit ; the King of Stego- " ra, the King of Sauxuntania, and the King *' of Shakahonea ; and that they were come " to hunt, to feast and to dance." On being asked why his countrymen wanted to betray them, w hen they came to them in peace and to seek their loves, he answered " they heard " they were a people come from under the " vvf rid to take their world from them." On being asked iiovv many worlds he knew, he

69

replied " he knew of no other than that which " was under the sky that covered him, the " territory of the Powhatans, the Monacans, " and Massawoheks" ; and on being asked what was beyond the mountains, he said " the sun" : but of any thing else he knew noth- ing, because the woods were not burned.*

At night-fall the parly embarked, and pro- ceeded up the river. Tiie night was awfully dark, and it was not long before they heard arrows dropping on both sides of the barge : Mosco and the captive Amoroleck called to the Indians ; but they made such a halloing and yeUing that they could hear nothing ; upon which the English fired now and then their pieces at them, aiming at those places where the most voices were heard.

More than twelve miles the Indians follow- ed the boat. When the day dawned, they found themselves in the middle of a broad bay, out cf danger of their arrows; where they came to an anchor, and fell to breakfast.-^ They did not so much as regard the Indians, till the sun was risen ; when tliey shewed themselves armed, and the captive Amoro- leck.

• 'Jhe Indians can only travel wliere the woods arc burned.

70

A long discourse was hel»i bet ween Amoro- leck and iiis countrymen : he made the pane- gyric of the English : " h^vv good they were, " how v.'ell they used him ; how they had a " Potomac with them that would have slain •* him had they not prevented him ; that he "should have his liberty would they be but " friends ; and to do them any hurt, it waj* " impossible."

Upon this they all hung their bows and quivers upon the tree=, and the three Kings swam off to the barge ; the King of Stegora, the King of Sauxuntania, and the King of Shakahonea. Capt. Smith received them with kindness. They wondered much at every thing. His pistols they took to be pipes, and wanted much to smoke out of them. They ordered the Indians on the beach to bring down corn and venison, and the Captain re- stored to them the captive Amoroieck.

In a fair calm, rowing towards Poiut Com- fort, such a sudden gust surprized them in the night, with thunder and rain, that they never thought ever to see JamesTown again. Yet running before the wind, they sometimes saw the land by the flashes of (ire from Hea- ven, and got to Point Comfoit. They after-

71

wards shaped their course homeward, and sailed up James River to the Fort, amidst the acclamations of the colonists.

And thus Capt. Smith performed a voy- age of about three thousand miles in an open boat, ill fitted for such an extensive navigation, during which the hardships to which he was exposed, as well as the pati- ence with which he endured, and the forti- tude with which he surmounted them, equal whatever is related of the celebrated Spanish discoverers in their most daring enterprizes. He brought with him an account of that large portion of the American continent, now comprehended in the states of Virginia and Maryland, so full and exact, that after the progress of information and research for a century and a half, his map exhibits no inac- curate view of both countries, and is the original upon which all subsequent delinea- tions and descriptions have been formed.

The following year another ship arrived with supplies for the settlement ; and the Virginian company in London, in order to gain the favour of Powhatan, sent him a royal present, consisting of a bason and ewer, a bed and furniture, a chair of state,

72

a suit of scarlet clothes, with a cloak and crown, to be presented to him in due form.

This present did not meet with the appro- bation of Capt. Smith. With a few gaudy- beads he could liave levied contributions on Powhatan ; whereas a profusion of presents would only increase his pride and insolence. He, however, with four men only, travelled to Wer comoco, to invite the Indian mo- narch to James Town ; but he was absent \^ith his chief wan ors on a hunting excur- sion. Nantaquas, however, received him with the graces of urbanity ; and the trans- port his coming lighted up in the features of the lady Pukahontas, demonstrated what en- joyment she found in his presence.

In the evening Pokahontas entertained Capt. Smith and his company with a dance. In an open plain a fire being made, the guests were seated by it. Suddenly a noise was heard in an adjacent wood, which so alarmed them, that, fiying to their arms, they seized on some old men as hostages, imagining they were betrayed. Upon this the young princess came running to Capt. Smith, and passionately embracing him, offered herself to be killed if any harm should

75

happen to him or his company. The noise which had disconcerted them was made by thirty girls, who were preparing for the dance. They made their appearance with no other covering than a girdle of green leaves, and their skins painted, each one of a different colour. Their leader had a pair of buck's horns on her head, an otter's skin as a girdle, and another on one arm ; in the other hand she held a bow and arrow, and over her back was hung a quiver. The rest of them had horns on their heads, and wood- en swords in their hands. With shouting and singing, they formed a ring round ihe fire, and performed a circular dance for about an hour, when they returned in the same order they had advanced.

The next day Powhatan arrived and Cap- tain Smith told him that he had received a present for him from the King of England, and invited him to James Town, where he would deliver it to him. Upon which the subtle Indian replied,

" If your King has sent me presents, I also *' am a King, and this is my land. You are " to briMg me the presents, not I to go and '* fetch them. Your gifts will never take me

G

74

'* to your fort. I am not so silly as to bite at " such a bait."

TliG present being, therefore, put on board the boats, it vas carried down James River, and up the Paniunkey to Worocomoco; while Mr. Rolfe, with fiity men, went across by land and met the b^ats, in which he pa.^^ed the river to assist at the proprsed interview.

Every thing being prepared for the cere- mony of coronation, the present was brouglit from the boats ; the bason and ewer were de- posited, the bed and chair were set up, the scarlet suit and cloak were put on the back of tlie Indian monarch, though not till Nan- taquas and Pokahontas had assured him, that the habiliments would do him no harm ; but they had great difficulty in persuading him to receive the cDun, nor would he bend his knee, nor incline his head in the least.

After many attempts, and with actual pressing on his shoulders, they at last made him sto"p a little, and put it on.

Instant!}', a signal being given, the men in the b-ats fired a volley s at which the savage monarch started with horror, imagining that a design was forming to destroy h;m in the summit of his glory 3 but, being assured it

15

ivas meant as a compliment, his iears siibsi- lied, and in return f^r the robes cf royalty re- ceived from king James, he desired Captain Smith would present him with his old far mantle, and deer-skin shoes.

In the ship which brought Powhatan his crown, came over n-iuny pcrscns of distinction. Of these Captain Vv' aldo ^yas an experienced soldier. Mr. AY est was brother to the Lord Delaware, and added another nobleman to the colony; for Mr. Percy, whom we have often witnessed in tiie theatre of action, was brother to the Earl of Northumberland. Mr. Scrivener was a man of consideration ^ and the youths Russel, Berkeley and Throgmor- ton were of illustrious descent.

In this ship likewise arrived Mrs. Forest and her husband ; their daughter, who might have sat to a painter for the youngest sister of the Graces; and Anne Burras, theirmaid : so that the female face divine gladdened the as^embhes of the colonists.

Captain Smith appointed some of the young noblemen to cut down trees, while h« empl )yed the others in making clapboard. The Captain and they went to work, stripped to their shirts. At fir^t the youths delighted

76

to hear the trees thunder as they fell, but the axes blistering their fingers, they soon drown- ed the echoes with their oathii. To reclaim this swearing, the Captain had their oaths numbered 3 and at night, for every oath sworn, a can of water was poured dowa the sleeve of the offender.

About this period many improvements were made to the town. A Church was built, the Store-house was enlarged, and the Fort reduced into form. The order of the watch was renev/ed, the troops were trained at each setting of the watch, and the whole Compa- ny was exercised every Saturday in a plain towards the west, which was called by them Smithfield. Captain Smith spared no pains to make his young soldiers expert in their evolutions 5 and a hundred or more Indians would stand in amazement to behold how a file would batter a large oak, where he had made them a mark to shoot at.

In the woods, about a mile from James Town, they built a glass house, to employ /some glass-blowers, whom the Virginia Com- pany had sent out. They built a block-house on the neck of the peninsula, to receive the trade of the Indians ; and another bleck-

77

house and a fort were built on liog-Island, to give notice of any ships ; and a well of ex- cellent water was sunk in the garrison at James Town, which till then was wanting.

The supplies procured by trading being in- sufficient for the support of the Colony, and hunger very pressing. Captain Smith ventur- ed on the dangerous project of surprising Powhatan, and carrying off his whole stock of provisions. The Indian monarch had formed a similar design on Captain Smith, and, for the purpose of betraying him, invited him to Werocomoco j promising him, that if he would send him men to build him a house, he would load his boat with corn.

Captain Smith set forward for Werocomoco with eighteen of the colonists; namely, Rolfe, Percy, West, Berkeley, Russel, Sergeant Jef- frey and eleven others. They proceeded up the Pamunkey in the barge ; while Adam^ Francis and Volday, three Dutch carpenters, were dispatched by land with tools to build Powhatan a house.

They lodged the first night at Kecoughtan^

where the rain, frost and snow caused them

to keep their Christmas with the Indians.

They were profusely regaled with oysters and g2

78

wild fowl, warmed with large fires of oak and hickory, and lodged on mats of bear's skin.

Early the following month, they reached Werocomoco, where the river was frozen half a mile from the shore ; and in running the barge up as far as they could, by breaking the ice, she was left by the ebb upon the oozy shoals.

In this situation, the Captain was the first to plunge into the river j and, by his exam- pie, taught his men to march up to their mid- dles, a flight shot through the frozen ooze.

On coming to the town of Werocomoco, they found Powhatan sitting in royal state, having his queens at his head and feet, and his courtiers behind him.

Nantaquas was gone on an expedition a- gainst the Chickahominies ; but Pokahontas, who was present, welcomed the Captain with looks that denoted the state of her heart ; hanging to him with a languishing air, while her eyes now sought and anon declined the CLCDunter of her visitants.

Captain Smith and his companions had scarcely quartered an hour with Powhatan, feefore he asked them when they would be- gone ? feigning that he sent not for him^ and

^79

had little conij yet for their swords he would procure them forty baskets.

In return, the Captain asked Powhatan how he could be so forgetful, and pointed out the very Indians who had brought him the invitation. Upon this Powhatan laugiied heartily, in which he was joined by his cour- tiers.

Captain Smith discerning the intent of the subtle monarch, addressed him in a speech. " Powhatan," said he, "to satisfy your desires " I have made great sacrifices ; and to testi- ** fy my love for you, I have sent men to build " you a house, neglecting the repairs of my " own. Yet you refuse me corn, unless I ex- *' change for it my weapons. Powhatan, ** hear me. As for swords and guns, I told *^ you long ago, I had none to spare ; but you *^ are to know that those I have can keep me " from want. Yet I will not dissolve the " friendship which we have mutually promis- " ed, unless you constrain me to it by bad " usage."

To this Powhatan replied, " Capt. Smith, *' I will spare you what corn I can. Yet I *' have some doubt of your coming hither, " which makes me not relieve you as 1 would.

80

*' For many inform me that you come not to "trade, but to invade my subjects and pos- " sess my country. Else why are you so arm- •* ed ? Your weapons terrify my people. ** Seeing your hostile appearance, they dare " not bring you corn. To free them of this " fear, leave your weapons on board the boat. *' They are wholly useless at Werocomoco. " We are all brothers, all Powhatans."

In discourses of this kind Captain Smith passed the day, quartering that night with his companions in the monarch's wigwam. The next day the Dutch carpenters began the building. When these wretches, con- scious of Smith's want, and witnessing Pow- hatan's plenty, revealed to the Indian King their commander's project to seize him.

Powhatan listened with great seriousness to the information of the Dutchmen, and dis- sembled his knowledge of the Captain's de- sign with the most profound h\pocrisy. Not a look, not a gesture, betrayed his acquaint- ance with the secret ; but with calm compo- sure he expostulated with his guest on the superiority of peace over war, alTecting in his discourse the vanity of being thought ve- ry old.

SI

" Captain Smith," said he, " you may im- " derstand that I, having seen the death of " three generations of my people, know the " difference between peace and war better " than any one in my country. Can it be *' thought that I am so simple as not to " know, that it is better to eat good meat, " lie well and sleep quietly with my women, " laugh and be merry with you, have copper, " hatchets or what I want while I am in " friendship with you ; than be forced to flee " from every comicrt, to lie cold in the ** woods, feed upon acorns, and be so hunted " by you up and down, that I can neither " rest, eat nor sleep ? Can any thing be more *' harrassing than for my tired men to watch, '•'and, if a twig but break, that every one " should cry out with consternation, " there " comes Capt. Smith !" To be forced to flee " I know not Vv'hither, and thus end my life " in miserable fear ? No, Capt. Smith. Be " assured of our love, and, that every year, " our friendly trade shall furnish you with *' corn. And let me intreat you, as you prize " an immediate supply, to lay aside your " swords and guns. For how can you ex- " pect my people will trade with you, when ♦"^ you come armed like foes and invaders.

8!8

To this artful harangue Capt. Smith repli- ed, " as to our wearing our swords, and car- " rying our muskets on cur shoulders, your ^* people are so accustomed to the sight of ^' them, that they regard them no more than ^' the apparel on our backs. While they are " conscious of intending us no injury, they " will be under no apprehension of our arms ; " for we use them as a defence and not to *' commit depredations. Your people come to " James Town, armed wiih their bows and *' arrows, and we entertain them without sus- " picion. You say you can flee to the woods. " But what will that avail you } You could " not elude our pursuit."

At length they began to trade. But Pow- hatan, finding the Captain would not lay aside his arms, again sighed out his inquietude.

*' Capt. Smith, 1 never used any Wor^- " wance so kindly as yourself, and yet from " you I receive the least kindness of any. '^ Capt. Newport gave me swords, copper, ** clothes, abed, toMtls, or what I desired ; *' ever taking what I ofi'ered him, and ahvavs " ready to send away his guns when I wished " it. None durst deny to lie at my feet. " But A ou will never descend to the least

85

" courtesy. From you I can get nothing but " what you have no value for, and yet you will " have whatever you demand. You call mc " father, and yet I must seek to content you " like your son. If, however, your intentions *' equal your professions, send hence your " arms, that I may believe you."

The Captain perceiving that Powhatan was only tampering with him, sent orders for his people in the boat to break the ice, that they might come and load her with corn, and take him away with his companion?. He sent also for a reinforcement of men, that he might the more effectually surprize his royal host; and to divert his suspicions, he en- tertained him with ])rofessi ns of his regard.

" Powhatan," said he, *' you must know " that I honour but one king, and that I liv^e " not here as your subject, but your friend. " Let not my being armed and guarded gi\ e " you any inquietude. It is our custom. " Visit me with all your country for your " guard ; I will net be jealous. Yet to shew " yon what confidence I place in your promi- " ses, and to calm your solicitude, I will to- " morrow lay aside my arms. I call you fa- " ther indeed ; and you shall see that I love

" you as a father ; but the small care you " have for such a child, caused my men to " persuade me to look to myself."

By this time Powhatan had secret intima- tion that his warriors were ready to make an attack on the English; and, while the cap- tain was gone to the river to inspirit the en- ' ergies of his men by his presence in breaking the ice, the savage Monarch stole away with his queens and his daughter. I3e left some squaws in the wigwam, to engage Smith and his comrades in talk when they returned ; and they had scarcely entered the wigwam again, and begun to interrogate the women on the subject of Powhatan's retreat, when the Indians beset them with a terrible yell. The captain had only with him Percy, Rolfe, Rus- sel, Berkeley, West and the sergeant. The indians had multiplied their numbers to thou- sands ; yet, with his six compcmions, armed with pistols and swords, Capt. Smith made such a passage among the naked devils, that, at the first shot, those who were next him, tumbled one over another, and the rest fled in every direction. The captain and his lit- tle band pursued their w;^y to the boat, fir- ing their pistols, and hacking at the indians

«5

with their swords, till they gained their main-b^dy.

Powhatan was impatient to learn theissim of the attack. But when he was informed how well the captain had escaped, he sought excuses to palliate the matter, and sent him a great bracelet, and a chain of pearl, by an ancient orator, who made a solemn harangue.

*' Captain Smith," said the red orator, " our Werowance is fled, fearing your guns. ■" Knowing that when the ice was broken, " there would come more men, — he sent " these people to guard his corn, which might " have been stolen without your knowledge. *' Now though some be hurt by 3'r:ur wea- " pons, yet Powhatan is your friend and will " ever continue so.

It was the Captain's care now to load the barge with c-rn, and he forced into his ser- vice a dozen stout Indians, who bore it to tlie water on their backs. The very sight ot* the English cocking their muskets, and making ready their arms, filled them with obedience.

When the barge was luaded, it was not practicable to get her afloat before liigh v/a- ter ; and the captain, accompanied by his f :r- lUGi' coinpanions, returned to the Vv'igwam,

$6

lulled into a security that no further attack was to be apprehended from Powhatan or his people.

In the meantimePowhatan and theDutch- men bitrnt with the desire to have the head of Capt. Smith ; for if tliey could but kill him, they thought their triumph would be com- plete.

Every preparation was, therefore, made to surprize the wigwam and him at supper. The eldest warriors were appointed their respec- tive posts of ambush to wage among the English unseen destruction. No quarter was to be given, no captives to be made ; but all were to be tomahawked and scalped without distinction. The awful darkness of the night favoured the projected massacre. But the all-seeing God employed an angel in human shape to frustrate the horrid plot. For Po- kahontas, in that dark night, stole from the side of her father, and, passing through the irksome woods, got to the wigwam ; where, running into the arms of Capt. Smith, she sobbed out in broken accents the grief of her bosom: " Great cheer," said she, " will be *^ sent you bye and bje, but my father and -*' all the power he can make will after come

81

'* kill you all, if they that bring the supper " cannot kill you with your own weapons *' while you are eating it. Powhatan and his " war-captains breathe only your destruclion. " Their bows burn in their hands, their ar- " rows are impatient to be on the wing, and " their tomahawks are thirsty to drink your " blood. Therefore, if you would live, I wish " you presently to be gone."

None could repress their exclamations at the soft humanity of the ludian maid. Such necklaces and beads as the captain knew she delighted in, he would have given her; but, with the tears runniiig down her c'leeks, slie replied, " I durst not accept the necklaces " or beads, for if Pouhatan was to see rne " with them, he would suspect I had told you " of the plot, and in his rage he would slay *' me." And so saying, when Capt. Smith had tenderly embraced her, she ran away by herself through the woods as she came.

Woman ! all heavenly woman ! thou art every where the ornament of creation, and the empire of compassion over thy bosom is every where apparent. Whether in the po- lished cities of Europe, or the rude forests of America, thou art susceptible of the same

88

tenderness, and canst practise the same hu- manity. , 1

In. about an hour there came eight or ten,,/ lusty felloM's, with great platters of bread and yenison. They were very importunate for the captain and his people to put out tlieir matches, pretending the smoke made them sick ; and urged them to sit down to the vic- tuals which they had brought.

But the captain made them first taste of every dish ; and then sent some of tiiem back to Powhatan to " bid him make haste 3 for he was ready for his coming,"

The party now sat down to their venison, with their arms in readiness. Smith well knew the value of his little band. In the courage and bravery of Rolfe, Percy, AVest, Russel, Berkeley and JefTrey, he could con- fidently repose j and he considered them equi- valent to a host of common cohjuists.

Tlioy s>pent the night with vigilance till the time of hii^h water. Numerous messenc^ers were sent to them by Powhatan in quick suc- cession, under pretence of friendly enqnines. But they found them so well prepared for an assault, iliat their monarch judged it prudent not to molest his v^'hite guests.

89

At high water they embarked in the barge ; captain Smith being the last man of the party who went on board. The mo n was gazing at her face in the water, and the repose of the night was disturbed only by the cry of the Whip-poor-will.

_The Dutchmen were yet unsuspected. They were left behmd to finish the house for Powhatan, which was considerably advanced.

Capt. Smith, unwilling to return to James Town with the small quantity of corn he had obtained, steered for Opechancanough's chief settlement on the river ; where he hoped to barter blue beads for provisions. Opechan- canough was only inferior to Powhatan in im- portance. According to the Indian tradition, he was not a native of Virginia, but came from a distant country to the south-west, pos- sibly from some province of the Mexican em- pire. But as he was conspicuous for all the qualities of highest estimation among Indians, undaunted courage, gigantic stature, great strength and activity of body, and crafty po- licy, he had risen to exalted eminence and power.

After rowing through the night, they land- ed at the first dawn of day, at the village of

H 2

90

Ozawaw, on the opposite bank of the Pamiui- key. The fame of captain Smith had extend- ed to the place. It was governed by a queen, who received him vv^ith great courtesy ; ad- vancing to the water-side to welcome him on shore, and followed by a retinue of her most beautiiul Indian girls, who brought mats under their arms for the strangers to sit down on.

A pleasant mistake happened at their fu'st interview. The tallest man of the party was sergeant Jeffrey, and the Queen Sunke Squaw imagined him to be the captain. She began to make him an oration with charac • teristic female volubilit}'. *' I esteem you," said the queen to the sergeant, " as a Wero' '' wance not inferior either to Opechanca- *' nough or Pov.'hatan : I rejoice to be in your *^ company — (here the sergeant would have interrupted the Queen, endeavouring to un- deceive her by pointing to Caj)t. Smitii ; but he could not restrain her) — " In war you *' have no equal, and you know how lo shont " the buck, or hunt up the sturdy bear. I •* wish that some of ^ our white warriors would " intermarry and settle with my Indian girls. *' Then instead of stone axes, clay pots, Hint

91

" knives, and bows and arrows, we should ** have iron hatchets, copper kettles, hoes, " swords and guns."

The Queen, after a short pause, would have continued her oration, when her son, a youth of seventeen, came up and scratched captain Smith on the shoulder, whom he had visited at James Town.

Tuscora was dressed partly in the Indian, and partly the European costume. He wore a blue coat that had regimental cuffs, a waist- coat and breeches of baize : his stockings were of yarn, one red, the other blue : some- times he wore mocassins, but oftcner he walk- ed in his stockingfeet : his hat was coarse, but adorned ^\■ith an ostrich feather j and round the crown was tied a blue worsted sash.

The Q.ueen having at length found out her mistake, discovered some confusion. But the captain took her kindly by the hand, and told her with a smile that her eloauence had not been wasted, for Jeffrey was a warrior of dis- tinguished achievements.

In the meantime Perc}', Rolfe, West, Rus- sel and Berkeley, had approached the Indian damsels who composed the train of the Qaeen, and were whispering a tale oi^ tender-

92

11 ess in their ears. They w«re half nakef; " yet in this nakedness there was much mo- desty.

The English youths were soon captivated with the wild charms of the Indian nymphs. They were of graceful stature, and well form- ed ; their visage oval, and features regular ^ the brow high and arched ; the eye large, " black and languishing, now rolling fire, and now melting into softness : complexion in- clined to an olive, but not excluding cheek roses ; lips ripe and red, parted by smiles that discovered teeth of unrivalled whiteness ; a bosom formed with perfect symmetry ; the shape exquisitely delicate, and hair of a raven black that fell down to the hams.

1 he Queen conducted Capt, Smith and his party to her town^ushenug them with winning condescension into her wigwam, which tow- ered above the rest, and was shaded with lo- cust trees.

When they came into the wigwam, she and her nymphs took oil the stockings of the English, and washed their feet m warm wa- ter ^ drying them with bunches of feathers. They tlienregaU;d them with homony, boiled venison and barbacued fish 3 and, as a desert.

9S

brought them melons. And thus, to borrow^ the language of the poets, the white guests were feasted like gods, each attended by a Hebe.

While they were feasting, several stout In- dians came into the wigwam with their bows and arrows, which made some of the guests take to their arms ^ but the Queen perceiving their distrust, ordered their bows and arrows to be broken, and beat the men out of the door.

The day advanced, and the captain want- ed to depart ; but w bile he went out to give some necessary orders to those whom he had left in care of the boat, the English youths, se- duced by the allurements of the Indian girls, secreted themselves in the woods.

The captain returned to the wigwam, that he might hasten the embarkation of his party, before the tide ebbed any more. But he found nobody lelt but the sergeant. Anas Todkili, an old squaw that cooked for the wig- wam, and a green parroquet.

This little parrot the Queen Sunke Squaw- took peculiar delight in training and educat- ing. On her approach, the bird expressed its joy by shaking its head briskly several times

94

upwards and downwards ; making a slight cracking with its bill, and displaying its ele- gant crest. It was fond of imitating the voice of its mistress. It not only listened with at- tention to her words, but seemed to set itself tasks; trying every day to retain its lesson, and prattling even in its dreams. His fond- ness had all the marks of close and warm at- tachment. If she had been sometime rut of his sight, the bird climbed with his bill and claws to her shoulders, touching her faee with its tongue, holding its head and raising its wing to be scratched.

Rolfe, Percy, West, Berkeley and Russel had disappeared ; and it was to no purpose that the captain, assisted by the vociferations of the sergeant and Anas, clamoured after them in the woods.

The boat had grounded with the ebb, and was lying high and dry, before the youths re- turned.

*' Gentlemen," said the captain, " after " defeating all the warriors Powhatan could " bring against you, I find you have been '•' subdued by the artillery of tlie charms of " the women of this little village. There is " more peril in their eyes, than in all the ar-

95

^' rows that your last enemy could discbarge " from their bows. If you have any resoki- " tiou left, and are not wholly enslaved, as- " sist me in launching the boat ; and, when, *' in our return down the river, we pass again *' this village, I advise you, like the crew of *' Ulysses, to lash yourselves to the mast."

This speech called a loud shout from the youths, who ran with high glee towards the boat; jumping over each others backs, or playing at leap-frog in their way to the water side. The captain Ib.'lowed in silent dignity, accompanied by the sergeant and Anas ; while the Queen and her nymphs kept pace with them along the skirt of the wood, peep- ing from behind the trees.

When again they got the boat afloat, and proceeded up the Pamunkej^ they contem- plated with a mixture of delight and admira- tion the beautiful scenery on the banks of the river, which diffused fertility throusfh the country.

Nature in all its gay varieties seemed to open her charms to deliglit the eye, and in- terest the heart. Creeks and rivulets gliding with a peaceful current through the land, emptied themselves into the river ; while

96

the marshes and savannas that extended along their borders, were disposed with such seeming regularity, as to assume the ap- pearance of canals cntrived with studied art.

On either bank, boundless f rests caught the sight. The lofty oak, clad in robes of antic[ue moss, seemed by its venerable aspect to be the monarch of the woods ; while the sweet cedar, the tall ever-green pine; the fragrant hickory, the mournful cypress, and here and there the triumphant laurel, ap- peared in full pride j presiding over «n infi- nity of less products that seemed to venerate their distinguished neighbours.

The timorous deer were courting the shade, the nimble squirrel w^as skipping from tree to tree; and at their roots, scoured through the brakes the wonderful opossum, the squeaking racoon, and milHons of the chano;eable lizard.

The mocking bird was heard from the woods, now briskly chirping, and now melt- ing into the softest strains ; the red bird in- dulged his song, now and then interrupted by the cooing '^ f the dove.

Along the broad expanse of the river the finny I'ace sported. The shining mullet.,

97

the noble bass, the warrior stingray with his redoubted tail ; the drum and nimble cat-fish, alternately shot tljeir heads above the waves; while, particularly near the shore, huge banks of oysters appeared like rocks. , The sun was fast declining, when they got to the settlement of Opechancanough. It was seen through a vista of pines, about half a mile from the river. A cool evening suc- ceeded a sultry day. Here and there the lightning gleamed in the horizon. An aban- doned wigwam stood near the landing place; and a mocking bird, perched on its roof, was singing and dancing to the cadence of its own song.

This social bird is held sacred by the Indi- ans. The female is never disturbed in her in- cubation. She is suffered to hatch all her eggs, and rear her little family, which ever lives attached to its native district.

There was a' small island, in the river, op- posite the place where they landed ; it was covered with piues, and poplars and sassafras trees.

They had scarcely got out of the boat, when a black snake attracted their attention iu the act of charming a bird. The charmer,

I

9S

?ibout six feet long, was making a small con- tinual hissing through his nostrils j the object pf his attentin was a cat-bird.

The biicl seemed to be in great distress, often coming within reach of the snake, who turned his head in ev ery direction as the bird flew round him ; although its mate endea- voured, by striking with its bill and wings, to make the serpent lose his prey.

Notwithstanding all this annoyance, which hurt the snake very much, as appeared from his wincing, he continued his spell till the bird, grown faint and weary, became much disor- dered, its feathers rising loose from its body, was seized with a tremor., settled down on its feet within reach of the charmer, its tail and wings being drawn forward before its head, and its head bowed as resigned to death.

By this time the bird's mate had flown awa}', and the snake took the victim's head into his mouth without resistance.

Soon after the party had landed, the death whoop resounded in the village from the men, and the women chaunted with soft voices their grateful song of triumph to Vo He IVah. The smoke of a declining fire filled the wood : agaia the singing, again the whoop was heard.

99

Oppchancanongh and his people bocl just bunievl a prisoner, and were brini^ing aaother to the stake.

When the captain approached the spot with his oiFicers, he foniul the whole town as- sembled round the dying victim, a Chickaho- niiny Indian; who, having undergone the most horrid tortures, was brcathirg his expiring sigh. His arms, tied behind his back, were bound to the war-pole ; his head hung down on one side ; his eyes seemed starting from their sockets j and though his pulse had ceas- ed to beat, the women were still applying torches of lighted pine-wood to his sides.

Opechancanough and his chief war-cap- tains were standing round the war-pole, paint- ed red and black. Their heads were covered with swan-down, and they had a tuft of white feathers fixed to the crown.

In this guise they stood, each holding the scalp of a Chickahominy on the branch of an ever-green pine ; singing the song of triumph, and now and then sounding the shrill death IVhoo IVhoop Whoop.

And now another Chickahominy was led to the square plot of ground, where the red war- pole fixed in the middle of it, admonished him of his doom.

100

" Captain Smith," said Opechancanougb, •* you eome with your people in time to be- " hold two of our most inveterate enemies ** atone for the blood which they have spilt, " by the tortures of fire ; and, as you are our " friends, you will share in our joy, and join " in our triumph."

The death-signal being made, the victim was stripped naked, his arms were pinioned, and a strong grape-vine was tied round his neck, to the top of the war-pole ; allowing him to track around about fifteen yards. Some tough clay was fixed on his head, that the scalp might be defended from the blazing torches.

The devoted captive was a comely young Chickahominy, of a noble countenance, and admirably proportioned limbs.

Unspeakable pleasure now filled the exult- ing croud of spectators, and the women with lighted bundles of canes, or the heart of fat pitch pine, made a furious onset at the victim. Yells and whoops succeeded from the men and boys.

The Chickahominy put on a bold austere countenance, and bore without apparent emotion the tortures inflicted by the burning

101

torches. He wliooped and out-braved the eroud. He described his own martial deed* against them, threatening their whole tribe with the vengeance of his nation, who would force them to eat fire in revenge of his fate, as he liimself had often done to many of their relations.

Fresh women now attacked him with flam- ing torches, and the death Whoo Whoop Whoop was uttered by the men.

When the cry had for a moment subsided, the youth addressed the spectators : ** Ope- " chaneanough," said he, " and you other " men of Pamunkey, I am a noted warrior, " and I have gained my martial preferment ** at the expeiice of your nation. But I have " fallen into the hands of a tribe who are no- " vices in the science of torture. I can pun " ish myself in a manner that would fill with ** astonishment your despicable ignorant na- " tion. Uutie me ; give me a fire-brand, and " witness with your own eyes the constancy " of my mind under the most exquisite tor- " tures of my own inflicting."

This proposal, and his method of address, appeared so exceedmgly bold and untommuu,. La

losr

that Opechancanough assented to his re-^ quest.

Then he suddenly seized a flaming fire- brand, and forcing his way through the gaz- ing croud, he ran to the river. Numbers fol- lowed him, but outstripping them all in speed, he leaped from the high bank into the water,, and swam to the island opposite, amidst a shower of arrows -, swimming underneath like an otter, and only rising to take breathe

At length he reached the island, when, turning his hinder parts towards his enemies, he slapped them with his hand ; and then putting up the shrill war whoo whoop as a last salute, he plunged again into the river and swam to the opposite shore»

The attention of the croud was now turn- ed to the victim they had burnt to death,, whom they scalped and danced round their last dance of joy.

In this dance they represented all the wild- cat movements which they had made in crawling to surprize him ; and their wolfish conduct in killing him with safety.

Now they would lift up one foot, then put it down slowly on tip-toe in a bent pasture, looking sharply every way. Then they pro^

XOd

ceeded from free to tree, till the fanclecl ene* my was taken by stratagem. They then strutted about in parade. And Opeciianca- nough harangued them with commendations of their address ; saying, " they had not ** rushed on hke mad- men with their eyes ** shut, improvident of danger ; but wisely " considering their bare breasts were not ar- " row proof, had cunningly covered them« " selves from tree to tree, and by their skilful " conduct had ensnared the hateful enemy, " witliout exposing their own valuable lives. *^

The same evening Opechancanough cele- brated the arrival of Capt. Smith with great feasting and mirth. His town was pallisadoed round, mantled with the barks of trees, had scaffolds like mounts, and was breasted very formally. Of the wigwams which composed it the smaller ones were conical like bee-hives ^ but the larger were built in an oblong form.

The captain and his officers were conduct- ed by Opechancanough to his wigwam 3 the rest of I lie party were quartered on his sub- jects. His females were busied j some pound- ing corn in mortars for homony ; some baking bread in cakes upon the hearth ; some roast- ing Indian com before the fire in the ear ^ and

104

others preparing a large English copper kettle to stew a wliole buck.

Other girls brought into the wigwam a number of baskets filled with the most de- licious melons, and various sorts of nuts j the chesnut, hickory, chinquopin and walnut.

When the supper was ready, a drum, made of a skin tie d over a gourd, was beaten to give notice to the town ; and the dishes were brought to a large banquetting house in the centre square, and the guests assembled tofeast and be merry. The English sat on the right hand of the King, and his chief warrior Nemat- tanow immediately on his left; theotherchiefs {.itting in rows behind. Nemattanow was the King's minion. He was remarkable for dressing himself up in a strange antic manner with feathers; and hence he obtained from the English guests the title of Jack of the Feather.

The supper was succeeded by tobacco and pipes. The pipe which Opechancanoiigh smoked out of was remarkable for its orna- ment?. The stem was two feet in length, adorned with white feathers and a red paint- ed scalp ; it bore a number of hierogiiphic fi- gures delineating the war-actions and tribe of

105

its owner. Its bowl was half as large agaia as that of an English pipe, and on both sides of it several figures were carved with great labour; the buffalo, the panther and the fox. The stem was made of soft wood, and the bowl of fine stone.

A dance !)y the women crowned the ban- quet, and the dancers lighted their white guests with torches to their lodgings ; liberal to extravagance of their caresses ; crying out *' Do you not love me ? Do you not love "me?"

The next day captain Smith proposed to trade with the King. But the commodities which Opechancanough produced were so trifling and so exorbitantly vakied, that the captain began with him and said, " Opechan- " canough, the professions cf your tongue are *' shewn by your actions, to be mere deceit. " Last year you kindly freighted my barge; *' but y u now treacherously invite me to ** starve me and my people in the midst of '* plenty. You are not ignorant of my wants, " n^r am I of your abundance. Of your corn ** part I will have. It is incumbent on ** every man to keep his promise, but a ^ sacred obligation in a King. I bring

106

" forward my commodities. Here are blue •* beads worthy the sovereign of a numerous " people. St. Ject the most vahiable. The " rest I will proportion in fit bargains for ^'our " subjects."

" Capt. Smith," replied the King, " if I ** have plenty I rej ice, as it affords me the " means of supplying you in your wants. I ** will barter with you willingly, and at your " own price. The sun cf to-day will be soon ** drowned in the western ocean ; but when " another rises to-morrow out of the east, " we will again make friendly trafTic."

The next day Capt. Smith, with his fifteen companions met the King again in his wig- wam ; where they found a dozen Indians newly arrived with each a large basket of com.

" Capt. Smith," said Opecbancanough, " I " now fulfil my promise. I have been at ** great pains to collect this corn. But as the *' red flesh and the white flesh have buried ** the tomahawk, and smoke together out of " the peace-pipe ; I would climb mountains, " swim rivers, and throw myself headl:ng " down their falls to assist you,"

107

Opechancanough was an Indian of extra- ordinary stature. He was naked, except about his middle -, which was covered with a dressed deer-skin. He looked a giant in the circle of the English. He rested on a hickory bow, which few of the strongest of his warri- ors could bend. On his back was a quiver made of a deer's skin, filled with huge arrows, headed with white stone in the shape of a heart. When he spoke, his accents sounded deep, and solemn and hollow, like a voice in a vault. He had plucked his beard up by the roots ; but, for distinction, he wore behind a Jong coarse lock of his coal black hair.

While he was putting on a strained cheer- fulness, and holding the captain in discourse, Mr. Russel brought word that at least seven hundred Indians, armed with their bows and arrows, had encompassed the wigwam, paint- ed for war.

In the bravest minds consternation will sometimes gain a temporary ascendancy. Dismay took possession of the countenances of many, at the thought of such a multitude. But the mind of Capt, Smith was not appall- ed at the danger. " Gentlemen," said he, " I am littie concerned at the number of the -

108

** -enemy. I was once assaulted by three hun- " dFed of them, and, had it not been for an " accident, I would have made good my way ^ amrng them all. We are now sixteen, and ** the enemy but seven hundred at the most. ** I, therefore, desire you to fight like men. ** Be not troubled. If you dare follow my " example, and do as I wJl, I doubt not, with " God's assistance, to extricate you from your " present difficulty and danger." ij

The time not permitting any argument, they all cheerfully vcwed to execute \\ hatever be attempted, or die.

Capt. Smith then turning to the King, said *- I perceive, Opechancanough, your pict to " murder me, but I fear it nut. Nealieryour ** men nor mine have done each o! her any in- *' jury, or owe one another any ill will. The " difl'erence lies between you aiid me. Let " us, therefore, decide it, as it becomes two " warriors, by single combat. Let us go over " to the island in the river, and tight it out. " You shall have the choice and all advantage " of weapons ; and the c<?nqueror shall be *' the lord and master over both people." . ^

Duelling in fair and open field vvas not the passion of the Lidian Pjince. lie, therefore,

105

endeavoured to appease the captain^s anger and suspicion, by ordering a present of seve- ral baskets of corn to tiie door, which he beg- ged him to accept.

This, however, was only to draw captain Smith out, where the bait was guarded by two hundred men ; while thirty more lay in am- bush behind a great tree which had fallen across, with each his arrow notched, i-eady to shoot.

Enraged at this treacherous conduct, Capt. Smith seized Opechancanough, in the pre- sence of the multitude, by his long lock of hair j and, presenting his pistol ready cocked to his breast, exclaimed, " Villain, I have " discovered your treachery. But think not ** you can succeed. 1 am not now as I was " when you pulled me out of the mud in ** Chickahominy swamp. I can protect my- ^* self and people against the wliole of your ** power. And here I spurn you like a dog *• in the face of your tribe."

Thus he led the Kmg trembling and half dead with fear among his people, who never dreamt that any one would presume to treat Iheir chief ruler with such indignity.

110

" You are now," continued the captain, *' entirely in my power ; and the laws of war *^ will justify me in putting you to death."

" Capt, Smith," faultered the King, " I *' once saved your life by my authority, and " 1 beseech you humbly to spare mine.*'

" If I spare your life," said the captain, " it will be only on condition that you order " your people to lay down their arms, and " load my boat with corn."

While the menaces of the captain gave Opechancanough great solicitude for his life, his intrepidity of conduct filled the multitude with awe. The King had only to make a sign, and the Indians threw down their bows and their arrows, and flocked to the boat with corn on their backs.

For several hours the Indians so thronged and wearied Capt. Smith, that he retired in- to the wigwam to rest with three of the par- ty ; leaving the others to trade and receive their presents.

While they were asleep, fifty of their choice men, armed with clubs and tomahawks, and backed by three hundred more, pressed into the wigwam, with an intention to murder therh.

Ill

But Capt. Smith being waked from his sleep by the shaking of the wigwam, grasp- ed his sword, and assisted by Berkeley, Rolfe and AVest, attacked the Indians with such animation, that he beat them out of their quarters. They then joined the party in the open air, who guarded the King as a prison- er. He affected much sorrow at the conduct of his people, and made Capt. Smith a long oration to excuse their intrusion. The rest of the day was spent with much harmony 3 the Indians renewing their presents, and feasting the Enghsh with their best provi- sions.

While these things were transacting, there happened an unlucky accident at the fort. Capt. Smith had deputed Mr. Scrivener the chief commander in his absence. A ship had arrived from England, and brought him let- ters, acquainting him with his accession to a fortune and title by the death of his brother. This inteiiigence not only gave him lofty thoughts,, but abated his respect for captain Smith. His moderation forsook him in his sudden prosperity ; and having formed a de- .«ire to visit Hog-Island, he could not be dis- suaded from his purpose either by the advice

lis

of Capt. Waldo, or the expostulations of the colonists.

Taking with him captain Waldo and Mr. Gosnolu, together with eight others, he em- barked in the skiff. The day was boisterous, the boat was overloaded, and she sunk in the river, where the whole party was drowned.

To advertise Capt. Smith of this calamity none could be found, till a youth named Throgmorton undertook it alone. He was encountered with dangers and difficulties wherever he passed. And at Werocomoco, not finding the captain, and the Indians me- ditating the destruction of the English, his danger was imminent. But Pokahontas hid him for a while, and sent those who pursued him the contrary way. At length by her in- tercession and extraordinary bribes and trou- ble, in three days travel he reached the cap- tain at Pamunkey,

Capt. Smith commended the youth for his spirit, and bound him by oath not to reveal the unhappy news to his company. He dis- sembled his sorrow with the best counten- ance he could assume. He restored Opecha- canough to his liberty, and, the next morning, embarking his men, proceeded down the river.

13S

The suii which descended the preceding night beneath the horizon like a globe of fire, had announced a hot day j and before noon, it was necessary to seek a cove for the b at, where the party might find a shelter from the heat.

It was at a little grove, near a water-fall, the party landed from the boat ; and all things breathing appeared to have sought re- freshment in its shades. A confused multi- tude of sounds filled the place. All the tu- mult and cries of a great city seemed imitate ed. The whistling robin animated the spot^ and hopping from stone to stone seemed to invite them to the water-fall. The snakes in their coils were seen in the brake ; and an old buck was fast asleep in the trunk of a fal- len tree.

Here they suffered the falhng tide to leave the boat, as they were determined to halt till the evening. Some went to work Idndling a fire to ruast their ears of corn j others car- ried their kegs to the head of the spring to fill them with water , and Berkeley, West and Tbrogmorton took their guns to try v/h^ they could kill,

K 2

114

The youths had not proceeded far from the water-fall, when they descried a company of wolves under some trees. They walked to- wards them. The wolves observing their ap- proach, sat on their hinder parts, until they came nearly within shot of them, when they trotted off towards the forests. They, how- ever, soon stopped again, and looked at the strangers. The hunters then whooped and made a feint to pursue them ; when they se- parated from each other, some stretching off into the plains, and some seeking the groves on the shore.

When the young men got to the trees, they found the wolves had been feeding on the car- case of a buffalo. There were a number of vultures on the trees over the carcase, who, as soon as the wolves ran off, settled down upon it. They were however held in re- straint by the bald eagle, which was hovering above.

Proceeding forward they discovered a herd of deer through the foliage of a thick spread^ ing grove, flouncing thoughtless and secure,. in a large pond of water. Some were lying down on their sides in the cool water, whiLo others were prancing like young kids ; the

young bucks in playsome sport, with their sharp horns hooking and spurring the others, urging them to splash the water.

The youths cautiously approached the grove, and levelled their pieces through the leaves; at the first rustling they all started up and herded together. A princely buck who headed the party, gave the signal of depar- ture. He bounded off, and was followed by his retinue. But unfortunately for the chief, Thrograorton, anticipating his motions, had stolen to the avenue at the other side of the grove, and as he passed him, the lucky young hunter fired and laid him prostrate on the green turf. His affrighted followers sprang off at the instant, streaming away like me- teors in every direction.

They carried away the quarters of the deer that was killed, covering his carcase over with branche^o protect it from the vulture, who follows the hunter as regularly as his own shade.

Returning back to the water-fall, their sha*- dows grew longer. The sun was getting low. Flocks of turkeys as they advanced, calling upon their strolling associates, circumspectly- retreated to the high forests, their noct urn «! abodes.

136

The three youths had scarce got back to the cove, when they espied a large bear quite close to the river, whom they pressed so hard upon with their unloaded guns, as to drive him into the water.

At this act of the bear, they jumped into the boat, and thought they had him secure. They took to their oars, and coming up with him, began to assault him. One seized the boat-hook, another an oar, the third the tiller; and persevered in annoying him till they broke their weapons in pieces.

The exasperated monster now turned the chase on the assailants, and fixing his fore- paws on the gunwale of the boat, attempted to get in. They did^all they could to keep him out : one thrust the point of the broken boat-hook into his mouth, another whooped, and a third drew out his knife. But neither their resistance, nor shouts could vaSiquish the bear, who got into the boat.

A ludicrous scene followed. The youths seemed now to contend which should be the first to jump overboard ; and they swam, as if for lile, towards the share 5 each imaging to himself the bear swimming alter him, and expecting every moment a rude embrace from his claws.

117

The bear now master of the boat, seemed mcUued to keep possession of it. He was so galled with the blows they had given him, that he made no attempt to follow them j but when the youths had reached the shore, and looked back at the bear, they saw him sitting in the boat, dipping one of his paws into the water, and washing his wounds.

The vociferations of the young hunters had brought Captain Smith and his party to the water-side, who witnessed the combat wuh peals of laughter. At length sergeant Jeffrey levelled his musket at the bear, and shot him through the head j when his antagonists swam off to the boat, and brought her on shore.

The party now went diligently to work up- on the bear, skinning him carefully, and cut- ting up his carcase. It was a strong creature, full grown and fatj weighing six hundred weight.

Nothing could be more pleasant than their passage down the river. The breeze was fair, and the tall boat dashed wide the water, as she glided with flowing sheets along the shore, bearing tall forests of pine. The moon in full- orbed glory burst up.n the sight. The vast

118

expanse of heaTen was strewed with stars. All things seemed to respect the repose of nature. No noise was heard but the cry of the whip-poor-will, and no light was seen but the glare of the fire-fly.

The company were seated round captain Smith hi the after part of the boat. One and all were importunate for him to relate the history of his life. His romantic spirit, cha- racteristic of military adventurers in that age, they knew had achieved much glory in the field. Ever)'^ eye was fixed on him, and watch- ed his lips, as he consented to gratify their wish.

A profound silence prevailing, the captain thus began to narrate the adventures of his early life.

" 1 was born at Willoughby, in Lincoln- " shire, to a competent fortune, in 1579- I " am, therefore, now in my thirtieth yedf. " From my childhood I discovered a roving " fancy, and delighted in the long tales of an ** old servant of my father, who had served in " several campaigns abroad.

" When about thirteen years of age, I sold ** my books and satchel, with a view to raise " money and go privately to sea j but the

119

" death of my father just at this time, put a " stop to the project, and threw me into the " hands of guardians, who endeavoured to " check my ardour by confining me to a " counting-house. I was bound to a mer- " chant at Lynn, the most considerable tra- '' der in those parts. But impatient of the " controul of a master, and the slavery of a " writing-desk, I gave the merchant the slip, " and with only ten shillings in my pocket, I ** entered into the train of Mr. Peregrine " Bertie, second son to the Lord Willoughby, " and passed over into France.

" At Orleans, for I know not what rea- *' son, Mr. Bertie dismissed me from his at- " tendance, having given me money to return " to England. But thus provided, instead of " going immediately back, I travelled on to " Paris, and afterwards visited the low coun- " tries, where my unconquerable propensity " to learn the rudiments of war, made me en- " list as a soldier.

" A Scotch gentleman on his travels^, *' charmed with my ardour of military emin- " ence, obtained my discharge, and took me " into Scotland, with a view of recommend- " ing me to King James, as deserving a com=

HO

'' mission in his army ; but being disappoint- " ed, I returned to Willoughby.

" One must not look for enlightened con- " versation among merchants, whose object " is not to enlarge their understanding, but " increase their property. (A laugh from the " boat's crew.) I could fmd no company in " the town agreeable to my way of thinking, " and retired into a wood, where I pitched " my tent, and betook myself to the study of " military history and tactics, diverting my- " self at intervals with my horse and my " lance.

"Having recovered part of an estate my fa- ♦* ther had left me, I put myself into a better " condition than before, and set off again on •* my travels in the winter of 1596. I was in " my seventeenth year, active m body, and " restless in spirit.

" My first stage was to Flanders, where, " meeting with a Frenchman who pretended " he was heir to a noble family, I was pre- " vailed on to accompany him and three at- •' tendants into France.

" In a dark night the vessel, in which we *♦ had taken our passage, arrived at Saint Va- " lery in Picardy ; and, by the connivance of

121

" the master, the Frenchmen w«re carried on '^ shore with my trunks and baggage, while I " was asleep below.

" Finding that the rascals had got out of " my reach, and were not to be found, I went " from port to port in search of a ship of war. " At Dinan, it was my chance to meet with *' one of the robbers. On looking at, and " recognising each other, without speaking a *' word, we both drew. I wounded my an- " tagonist severely, and, having disarmed " him, committed him to gaol.

" Finding the Earl of Ployer at Dinan, I " made myself known to him, and, supplied " by his generosity, I travelled along the " French coast to Bayonne, and from thtnco *' crossed over to Marseilles ; visiting and ob- " serving every thing in my route which had ** reference to naval or military architecture.

" At Majseilles I embarked for Italy, in ** company with a rabble of pilgrims. The ** ship was forced by a storm into the harbour ** of Toul.)n, and afterwards was obliged by " a contrarv wind t^ anchor under the little *' island of Saint Mary, off Nice, in Savoy. *' The bigotry of the pilgrims made them ** ascribe their bad fortune to the presence of

122

" a heretic on board. They devoutly cursed " me, my Queen Elizabeth, and all my na- ** tion ; and protested they should never have " fair weather while I was in the ship. At " length the pasi^ions of these christians rose " so high, that, in a fit of pious rage, as ma- " ny as could lay hands on me dragged me to ■/* the gang-way, and threw me overboard. " (Expectation raised in the faces of the " boat's crew.)

*' When a boy I had learned to swim as a *' necessary part of the education of a travd- '* ler J and my skill in this useful art now sav- " ed my life. I swam towards the little isl- " and before me, and succeeded in reaching *' it

" The island was uninhabited, but vessels " were continually passing, and 1 hailed them " with all my might. Several heard my calls '* with the most frigid indifference 3 but, at " length, the captain of a French rover back- " ed his main-topsail, and sent his boat a- " shore for me.

" The name of the captain was D'Estaing. " He had a roving commission to cruize a- " gainst his enemies, and was well qualified " for the enterprize, being full of spirit, fire

123

" and experience. I entered on the quarter " deck as a volunteer, and embraced with ea- " gerness the opportunity to learn the duty " of a sailor ; the captain and officers enter- " ed readily into my views.

" We pursued our cruize in the Mechter- " ranean, both on the Mahometan and Chris- " tian coasts. We touched at Alexandria, ** where I inspected the Pyramids, and from *' thence coasting the Levant, we fell in with " a Venetian ship richly laden, and well arm- " ed.

** We brought her to close action about " eight in the morning, and had to engage '* with her till noon, when, her tiller being " shot away, we were enabled to work round ** her ; and had just taken a position nndep ** her cabin windows to rake her fore and aft, " when she hauled down her colours.

*' The Venetian was a rich prize. i\ly " share of prize money amounted to a thou- " sand chequins,* which were paid me on the " drum head of the capstern ; and at the " Antibes I was set on shore, new moulted " and full of feather.

* Aijout Two Thousand Dollars.

124

• ** I now made the tour of Italy, ranging all "; its regions and principalities ^ I crossed the *!* Adriatic, and travelled into Stiria, to the " seat of Ferdinand Archduke of Austria.

" I here met with an Irish Jesuit who in- " troduced me to Lord Eberspaught, Baron *' Kizel, and other officers of distinction. My " passion for the army was now easily grati- " fied. Tlie Emperor was at war with the " Turks, and I entered as a gentleman vol- *' unteer in C.ount Meldrick's regiment.

"I had communicated to Lord Ebers- " paught a method w hich I had invented of " conversing at a distance by signals made of " torches j which, being alternately shewii " and hidden a certain number of times, de- " signated every letter in the alphabet. First, *' three torches w^ere shewn in a line equi- " distant from each other, which were an- " swered by three others in the same man- " ner. I'hen the message being written as '* briefly as possible, and the alphabet divid- " ed into two parts ; the letters from A to L " \vere signified b}'' shewing and hiding one " light, as often as there were letters from A " to the letter which was meant. The letters '^ from M to Z were signified by two lights

12$

" in the same manner ; and the end of a word " by shewing three lights. At every letter " the light was kept stationary till the other " party could write it down, and answer it " by one light, which was his signal.

** I had soon an opportunity of making the ** experiment, Lird Eberspaught being be- " sieged by the Turks in the strong town of '* Ohmpach, was cut off from all intelli- *' gence and hope of succour from his fiiends.

" I proposed mj'^ method of communica- *' tion to Baron Kizel, who approved it, and " allowed me to put it in practise. I was ** conveyed by a guard to a hill within view of ** the town, and sufficiently remote from the " Turkish camp. At the display of the sig- *' nal, Lord Eberspaught knew and answer- ** ed it -y and I communicated to liim this in- " telligence, " Thursday night I will charge " on the East ; at the alarm sally thou." " The answer was, " I will." (Great atten* ** tion from the boat's crew.)

** Just before the attack, a great number of " fires, by my advice, were made in another *' quarter, which divided the attention of the " enemy, and gave me great advantage. Fur *' being assisted, as it was preconcerted, by l2

126

" a sally from the town, I slew many of the " Turks, drove others into the river, and *' threw such succours into the town, that the " next day the siege of Olimpach was raised, " For this service Count Meldrick advanced " me to the command of a company of horse " in his regiment, consisting of two hundred " and fifty ; and soon aftei', I was made Ser- " geant Major of the regiment, a post only " second to the lieutenant-coloneL

" Count Meldrick was a Transylvanian " nobleman, and, passing with his regiment " out of the Imperial service into that of his *' natural Prince, Sigismund Duke of Tran- ^ sylvania, I readily accompanied him.

" The first enterprize of Prince Sigismund, " was to recover some patrimonial estates in " possession of the Turks; and he sat down " with his army before the strong town of " Regal. Our works advanced with great " difficulty ; the Ottomans derided our slow " approaches ; and a Turkisli officer issued ** from the town, and intimated that the Lord ** Turbisha, to divert the ladies, would fight ** any christian of the dignity of Captain in J* single combat.

I9P7

" Many were eager for the honour of hum-' " bhng the haughty Mussulman ; it was de- " termmed by lot, and fell on me. Accord- " ingly the ramparts of the town being filled "with fair dames and men in arms, and the " christian army drawn up in battalia ; the " Lord Turbisha and I entered the field, each " mounted on a white charger, and clad in " armour.

*' The encounter began at the sound of " hautboys and trumpets j we met horse to " horse ; but the conflict was short, for, at " the fu-st thrust, 1 killed the Turk with my " lance, and bore away his head in triumph " to General Lord M:.yzes.

" The death of the Lord Turbisha so irri- " tated his friend Grualgo, that he sent me a •* particular challenge. I entered the field " with him, and it was soon apparent that his " ability was not equal to his desire to avenge " the death of his friend. I was a greater " master of my arms, and management of " my horse, than my' combatant j and, after " a short combat, I killed Grualgo and carri- " ed away his head.

** It was now my turn to boast, and in the ** fulness of youthful exultation, I sent a mes-

128

*• sage into the town, informing the ladies " that, if they wished for more diversion, " they would be welcome to my head, in ca>e *' their third champion could lake it.

** This challenge was accepted by B-^na- " molgro. We both closed with spirit ; my ** adversary unhorsed me, and the spectators *' thought he would gain the victory. But ** vaulting again on my steed, I gave the " Turk a stroke with my faulchion, which ** brought him to the ground. I then cut off ** his head, and held it up to the fair dames ** on the battlements, who gave me many eye- " shot for the pains I had taken to amuse " them.

** These exploits were not suffered to go " unrewarded. I was honoured with a mili- •* tary procession, consisting of six thousand ** men, three led horses, and bef re each a •* Turk's head upoji a spear ; with this cere- " mony I was conducted to tlie pavilion of " General the Lord Moyzes, who, after em- ** bracing me, presented me with a tine horse *' richly caparisoned, a scymitar and helfc •* worth three thousand ducats, and acom- •* mission oi Maji r in his regimt;nl.

129

" Our army soon after attacked Regal, and *' took it by storm. I was among the fore- " most that mounted the breach, and, after " the capture of the place. Prince Sigismund " made me a present of his picture set in gold, " settled on me a pension of three hundred '* ducats a year, and issued his letters patent " of nobility, giving me three Turks* heads " in a shield for my arms.

" The patent was admitted and recorded " in the College of Heralds, in England, by " Sir Henry Segar, garter king at arms ; and " I have ever since adrpted this coat with the " motto of Vincere est Vivere.

" It was not long after this achievement that " I was engaged in the battle of Rotenton, " where the Transylvanian army was defeat- " ed by the Turks and Tartars On that fatal " day many brave men were sk. • and nine *' English and Scotch officers lost their lives, " who had entered into the service from a re- *' ligious zeal to drive the Turks out of Chris- " tendom.

" I was severely wounded in that battle, " and lay among the dead. But the pillagers "perceiving life in me, and judging by the " richness of my habit and armour that my

ISO

" ransom might be considerable, treated me ** with tenderness till my wounds were heal- " ed, and then sold me with the other prison- *' ers at public auction.

** I was purchased by the Bashaw Bogaf, " a, man of immense fortune. He was en- " amoured with a Tartarian lady at Constan- " tinople, called Charatza Tragabigzanda. " Nothing wins the sex more than the repu- " tation of courage. He sent me as a present ** to the young lady, accompanied with a " message as full oi vanity as it was void of " truth, saying, that I was a Bohemian no- " bleman, whom he had conquered in battle.

" When I was introduced as a slave to the " presence of Tragabigzanda, I found before " me a girl of nineteen, tall and elegantly *' formed, of a fair complexion, fres^h cheeks, ** dark eyes, long dark hair flowing loose to ** her waist, and her fme forehead hung with ** natural locks.

" I was in my twenty-third year, and had " not amiss the air of a soldier ; breathing all *♦ the florid freshness of health, and vigour of ** that character.

" X soon discovered that the present was *^ more acceptable to the lady than her lord

131

" intended. There was a certain confusion, " an air of timidity, mixed with her reception " of me, which created hopes, and cherished " my native vanity and presumption. A " blush of surprize and confusion flushed into " her face ; while her eyes now sought, now " declined the encounter of mine.

" Tragabigzanda could speak Italian, and " in that language I informed her of my " country and quality, together with the most " interesting passages of my life. I acquaint- ** ed her how I had killed the three Turkish " champions in single combat before Regal, " in the presence of the fair dames on the " battlements ; that in storming the place I ^* was one of the first who leaped upon the " walls ; and that, at the battle of Rotenton, '* after being engaged in fight the whole day, " I lay among the dead. She heard me with " tender sighs ; her living throne of delight " was visibly agitated ; and more than once ** my sufferings brought a tear into her eye. " (Lively feeling expressed in the counten- " ances of the boat's crew.)

*' It was necessary for form-sake that I ^' should do something. My mistress set me " to improve the walks in her garden, to

V

132

" plant their borders with more trees, and ** make their windings more intricate.

" It has always appeared to me that the first " character of love in a woman is a diffidence " of pleasing. One morning when Traga- ** bigzandacame into the garden, n t satisfi- " ed with her ccmmon atth'e, she liad stuck *' a half-blown rose in her hair, and otherwise *' decorated her beautiful tresses. When she *' accosted me, she threw into her voice pecu- ** liar softness ; but the declaration of her " eyes preceded that of her tongue.

*' 1 did not lose the opp' rtunit y to sigh scme- " thing gallant in her ear, I whispered that " the rose in her hair was but au humble type " of the freshness of her complexion." She " observed to me, with a blush, that, " the " flower much better represented the fate of " maidens' hearts, for th^ instant it nnlock- *' ed its bosom, it betrayed its approaching "ruin."

" Emboldened now, 1 ventured to enter " essentially into the merits of my cause. I " -threw into my addresses all those easy ** graces of assurance which are so irresistible " witli mcst women ; as my ardun* encrcas- " ed, her disorder was more visible j and af-

!S5

•* ter some faint reluctance, and a few tender " remonstrances, the beauteous Tragabigzan- " da could only reprove me with inarticulate '* breaks, and heart-fetched sighs. (An arch " laugh from the boat's crew.)

" No connexion could \y€ more tender than " ours was. Time only strengthened the '* passion of the fair Tartar for me ; and in ** the fondness of her attachment, to prevent ** my being sold again, and to secure me for *' herself, she sent me to her brother, the Ba- ^ shaw of Nalbraitz, in the country of the " Cambrian Tartars, on the borders of the sea " of Asoph. Plere it was concerted between « Tragabigzanda and me that Ishould stay, " till time should make her mistress of her- " self, and at her own disposal,

*' The Bashaw was not a man disposed " much to credulity. By the terms in which ** his sister wrote, he suspected her design ; " for her pretence was that she had sent me to " learn the language and be instructed in the " religion of the Tartars ; but she had word- " ed her message with such overflowing par- " tiality, and pressed my good usage in such " aHectionate terms, that her passion for me " was apparent.

M

134

" The indignation of the Bashaw was rais- " ed at the discovery he had made. Within " an hour after my arrival I was stripped ; my \ I '*^ head and beard were shaven, an iron collar *' was put about my neck ; I was clothed *^ with a coat of hair cloth, and driven to la- *' hour among other Christian slaves.

" I had now no hope of redemption, but " from the love of Tragabigzanda, who was " at a great distance, and not hkely to be in- " formed of my suflerings ; the hopeless con- *^ dition of my fellow slaves could not allevi- " ate my despondency.

"My employment was to thresh at a ** grange in a large field about a league from " the house of the Bashaw j who, in his daily " visits not only treated me with abusive lan- " guage, but accompanied his abuse with "■^ kicks and blows.

** My spirit naturally high, raised by the " consciousness of Tragabigzanda's passion, ^' could ill brook this harsh usage. At last " being one day threshing alone, the Bashaw " came and began so to kick and spurn, and " revile me, that, inflamed almost to mad- ^ •* ness, 1 levelled a stroke at him with my *' threshing bat, and beat cut his brams.^ —

135

*' Then hiding liis bod)' among the straw in *' the grange, and shutting the door; 1 filled " a knapsack with c^rn, put on the Bashaw's " clothesj and, mounting his horse, fled into ** the desart.

*' For three days I wandered in the deserts *' of Circassia, ignorant of my way ^ but I " was so fortunate as not to meet any per- " son who migiit give information of my *' ilight. At length I Ijappened providentially " on the Castragan, or great road that leads " to Aluscovy. Following this for sixteen " days with infinite fatigue and dread, I "arrived at Exapolis on the river Don; " where, to defend the frontiers was a Mus- *' covite garrison, the commander of which ** received me courteously, took off my col- " lar, and gave me letters to the other gover- *' nors in that region.

** I prosecuted my journey through Sibe- " ria, Muscovy, and Transylvania, till I got " back to my friends j receiving presents from ** many persons of distinction, amr^ng whom " the Lady Cailamata w as a very tender be- " nefactress.

•' At Leipsic I found my old friend and " gracious patron Prince Sigismund, together

♦* with my Colonel Count Meld rick. I spent " some time witii them, and at my departure " the Frince gave me a pass, intimating the " services I had performed, and the honours " I had received 3 presenting me, at the same " time,jyith fifteen hundred ducats of gold to " repair my losses. (A smile of joy from tlie " boat's crew.)

" Although I was now intent on returning " to my native country, yet, being furnished " with money, I spent some time in travel- " hng through the principal cities of Germa- " ny, France and Spain ; from whence, led " by the rumour of wars, I passed over into " Africa, and visited the Court of Morocco.

" Havin-g viewed many of the places and " curiosities of Barbary, I at last returned •' through France to England. I embarked " at a French port in a large galley ; and, on "■ the passage we fell in with two Spanish men "of war, who engaged us desperately for " three days; hauling off and lying to occa- " sionally to knot their rigging.

^^ li\ England there reigned a profound *^ peace ; and having spent some time in an " idle aiid unea.^y state, 1 engaged in the pro- " jcct of settling clonies in America, and ^' came to Virginia."

1^7

Every one thanked Capt. Smith for his con- descension in narrating the history of his life, and those who had not the watch composed themselves to sleep.

The boat during the night had made con- siderable progress down the river, and when the day broke, the countenance of the coun- try indicated they were not far from James Town.

The still and serene sky as yet shewed to- wards the East only an orange colour shade ; the cat-bird was faintly warbling ; the humid plants exhaled a delicious fragrance ; pre- sently the horizon seemed to be in flames, the shining luminary burst forth like a blaz- ing fire, his brilliant face rose, and his grow- ing rays coloured the pearly drops of dew spread on the opening bells of the flowers.

As the face of day became brighter, the song of the cat-bird grew stronger. This bird is in melody only inferior to the m cking-bird, and even exceeds him as a mimic or buffoon. He endeavours to imitate every animal. He does not confme himself to tlie notes of birds, but repeats the song of the Indian man and squaw. He succeeds even in imitating the M 2

138

melodious and variable airs of instrumental music.

It is quite domestic, building its nest in gar- dens, and sheltering itself in groves near the houses ; but it causes great trouble and vex- ation to hens that have broods of chickens, by imitating their distressing cries, in which it seems to enjoy delight.. This bird is the first- heard singing in the morning, even before the break of day.

The chief food of the cat-bird is fruit. It will feed on insects, but never attempts to. take its prey on the wing.

Capt. Smith found on his return to James- Town, that the affairs of the Colony had suf- fered much in his absence. The only persons whom he had left behind estimable f r their qualities were drowned in the pinnace ; and^ the others had become insufferably slothful, and unreasonably perverse.

They were even importunate with him to sell their tools and iron, their swords and mus- kets, to the Indians for provisions ; and som« in a turbulent and clamorous manner insist- ed upon the necessity o!" leaving the country.

This conduct in tiie Colonists raised thQ diokr of Smith. It appeared to him an au-

T$9

dacious act of rebellion aojainst his authori-- ty ; and, calling the whole body together, he' harangued them in a speech eloquent, ani- mated and bold.

" Do not imagine," said he, " that I will' " endure in you either sloth or idleness. It "is not reasonable that a hundred should be " supported in indolence by the labours of " thirt}'. You who do not work shall not eat. ** Difl you ever see me idle ? Or did I ever " claim more or better fare than my inferiors " in station ? Has not my extraordinary al- " lowance as President been constantly dis- " tributed anion y; the sick ? Let not the "slothful expect countenance from me, I will "not tolerate in you idleness. They who do " not exert themselves in some useful pursuit, " shall be set beyond the river, and banished "as drones from the fort."

The Captain having paused-a few moments,, resumed his harangue to the Colonists.

^* If you fancy I have n t sufficient autho-* " rity vested in me to enforce what I threaten, ** V'^u aie deceived. 1 atlvive you not to feed ** yoursehes with the vaui presumption that " my authority is doubtful, au-l th;ir-my life *' Will answer for yours. My letters patent

140

" will prove the contrary -, tiiey shalJ be read ** to you every week, and every one who of- " fends may expect to be punished. I un- " derstand that some of the new comers have " discovered a seditious spirit, and talk of re- " turning home. But how will the}' go ? If *' I catch any person offering to run away " with the boats either to England, or New- " fbundiand, he shall have the gallows for his " fate. I will without the least scruple give " orders for him to be hanged."

This resolute conduct in the Captain was not without its desired effect. By firmnesg in the execution of his auth'^rity, and by the force of his own example in labouring contin- ually, he maintained sucn order in the Colony, that though many murmured at his severity, they all became industrious.

In the space of three months they had made a quantity of tar, pitch and pot ashes, and produced a sample of glai-s. As the spiing advanced they had paid such attention to husbandry, as to have forty or filty ades cleared and fit fur planting; and a defach- ment under Mr. Stcklemore had bet n sent to the south to look for the long lusl Cv^mpviny of Sir Walter Raleigh.

141

In the year lo84 two barks, commanded by Philip Amaclas and Arthur BarJovv, were sent out, under virtue of" a patent which EU- zabeth granted Sir Walter Raleigh, to dis- cover and take possession of any American lands not occupied by a christian Prince.

They sailed from England April 27, 1.584. They took their course by the Canaries and the West India islands, and approached the North American continent by the Gulf of Florida. Unfortunately their chief researches were made in that part of the Country now known by the name of North Carolina, a part totally destitute of commodious har- bours..

They touched first at an island called Wo- kocon (probably Okakoke) situated on the in- let into Pamplicoe Sound, and then at Roa- noke, near the mouth of Albemarle Sound. In both islands- they had some intercourse with the natives, whom they found to be sav- ages, with all the characteristic qualities of uncivilized life, bravery, aversion to labour, hospitality, a propensity to admire, and a willingness to exchange their rude product- ions for English commodities, especi-ally for iron, or. any useful metals of which they were destitute.

142

After spending a (ew weeks in this trafBc, and in visiting some parts of the adjacent continent, Amadas and Barlow returned to England with two of the natives, and gave such splendid descriptions of the beauty of thecountiy, the fertility of the soil, and the mildness of the climate, that Elizabeth, de- lighted with the idea of occupying a territo- ry superior, so far, to the barren regions to- wards the north hitherto visited by her sub- jects, bestowed on it the name of Virginia; as a memorial that this happy discovery had been made under a virgin Queen.

Their report encouraged Raleigh to hasten his preparations for taking possession of such an inviting property. He fitted out asquad- ron-cf seven small ships, under the command of Sir Richard Grenvilie, a man of honoura- ble birth, and of courage so undaunted as to be conspicuous even in that gallant age. lie touched at b^th the islands where Amadas and Barlow had landed, and made some ex- cursions into different parts of the continent round Pamplicoe and Albemarle Sounds. But as he did not advance lar enough towards the north, to discover the nob'e bay of Chesa- peake, he established the colony which he left

143

on the island of Rt>anoke, an incommodious station, without any safe harbour, and almost uninhabited.

The colony consisted of one hundred and eighty persons, under theipoinmand of Capt. Ralph Lane. Their chief employment dur- ing a residence of nine months was to make discoveries cf tiie country; but quarrelling with the natives, and having their supplies of provisions withdrawn by them, they were re- duced to the utmjst distress. At this critical period Sir Francis Drake appeared with his fleet, returning from a successful expedition agauist the Spaniards in the West Indies; and finding the Colony nearly worn out with fatigue and famine, he carried them home to England.

A few days after Drake had departed from Roanoke, a small bark, dispatched by Ra- leigh with a supply of stores for the Colny, landed at the place where the English had set- tled ; but on finding it deserted by his coun- trymen, they returned to England. The bark was hardly gone, when Sir Richard Grenville appeared with three ships. After searching in vain for the Colony he had planted, with- out being able to learn what had belallen it.

Tl4

lie left fifteen of his crew to keep pcssessioii cf the island. This handful of men was soon •destroyed by the natives.

Early in the following year Raleigh fitted out again three siiUjps under the command of Capt. John White, who carried thither a Co- lony more numerous than that which had been settled under Lane.

On their arrival in Virginia, after viewing the face of tlic country covered with one con- tinued forest, they discovered that they were destitute of many things which they deemed essentially necessary towards their subsist- ence ; and, with one voice, requested Capt. White to return to England, as the most like- ly person among them to solicit, with efficacy, the requu'ed supply.

White landed in his native country at a most unfavourable season for tbe negociation which he had undertaken. He found the na- tion in universal alarm at the formidable pre- parations of Philip 11. to invade England, and collecting all its force to oppr^se the ileet to whichhe had arrogantly given the nameof the invincible Armada. Raleigh, Grenville, and all the most zealous patrons of the new settle- ment were called to act a distinguished part

145

ill the operations of a year equally interesting and glorious to England. Amidst danger so imminent, and during a contest for the hon- our of the sovereign and the independence of their country, it was imjipssible to attend to a less important and remote object. The un- fortunate Colony in Roanoke received no sup- ply, but were left to their fate.*

It was an order from the Virginia Company in England, that search should be made after this unhappy Colony j and Captain Smith, ever distinguished b}^ his humanity, aided their views with warmth and alacrity. Not satisfied with the expedition of Mr. Sickle- more to learn the destiny of the unfortunate men; he dispatched Mr. Powel and Anas Todkill to the Mangoags, a nation of Indians dwelling on a tributary stream to the river of Roanoke ; furnislied with guides from the King of the Quiyoughquohanocks, a small Indian tribe living on the south side of James River, about ten miles above James Town. They pursued their journey through a hilly country into the south west, and their

* iiakluyt— Robertson. N

146

activity and perseverance will be remember- ed to their advantage -, but they could ob- tain no tidings cf the Colony, nor find a sin- gle trace cf them left behind.

In their way back they quartered a few 'days with the King of the Quiyoughquohan- ocks. It was a time of great drought, and his crop of corn was unpromissing. He sent a message by Powel and Todkiil to Captain Smith, earnestly beseeching him to pray to his God for rain ; for though he was yery zealous in the worship cf iiis own Gods, yet he con- fessed tiiat " the God of the Englishmen as " mucii exceeded his, as their guns did his ** bows and arrows."

When Capt. Smith returned down the Pa- munkey from the settlement of Opechanca- nough, he landed Mr. Percy and Mr. Russel off Werocomoco, and dispatched them to James Town by land. The Dutchmen left with Powhatan had formed a confederacy with some m'^re of their countrymen at the Fort, and the two gentlemen in their way thither, encountered four of the confederates pursuing the road to Werocomcco. Bat to clear themselves from the suspicion that they were running to the Indians, they returned wdth the officers to the Tort.

147

The Dutch carpenters were in the mean time impatient to learn the cause of the stay of their brothers in vilhiiny. One of their company', a stout young fellow, disguised like an Indian, proceeded to Hie glass-house ^ it stood in the woods, about a mile from the Fort, and was the place of rendezvous for con- certing their diabolical schemes.

Capt. Smith iiearing of this, immediately sent some m.en to apprehend the Dutchman j but the fellow being gone, he dispatched twenty others after him to intercept him in his reli^rn to Powhatan. They soon brought him to James Town, where he was put into^ prison ; the Captain sparing his life in the hope of regaining his confederates.

Capt. Smith, ha\ing sent all his men after the Dutchman, returned from the glass-house alone, armed only w ith a sword. The declin- ing sun was shedding its golden rays over the broad expanse of the majestic river.

As he walked forward, he met the King of Paspahey in his way ; the largest Indian in ; th'^se parts : he was uncommonly tall : the calf of his leg measured three quarters of a yard about, and all the rest of his limbs were in proportion. k

us

Paspahey observing the Captain was armed cnly with a sword, thought it a favourable moment to attack him. He accosted him in a friendly tone, and expressed his pleasure at meeting him. The Captain looking at the gigantic Indian somewhat sternly, bade hira keep cfF. Finding his intentions were sus- pected, he stopped short, and would have sent an arrow from his bow at the Captain, when he closed and grappled with the savage.

The gigantic savage now lifted Smith from the ground, and bore him by mere dint of strength into the river, with a design to drown him. They struggled a long time in the wa- ter ; each summoned all his force. At lenglh the Captain got such hold of Paspahey by the throat, that he almost strangled him ; the colour forsook his cheeks, and his eyes rolled wildly in the agony of pain.

The Captain was now uppermost, and, while with one hand- he griped the King by the throat, with the other he drew his sword^ purpo&iiig to cut oil his head ; but Paspahey begged his hfe with such moving supplications, crying *' Oh ! spare me, Capt. Smith I Do " not put me to death !" that he led him whli him to James Town..

U9-

The prisoner was put into chains, and COQ-' fined in the Fort ; his only hope of being li- berated hiy i)i being able to make Powhatan send back the Dutch confederates.

No person is more im-patient of confine- ment I Ijan an Indian. Paspahey exerted hina- yelf to the utmost to obtain his freedom, by dispatching frequent messengers to Powha- tan, beseeching he would send the Dutch eonfcderates to James Town. But the King of Werocomoco only mode answer that " the ** Ddtchmen would not return of their own " accord ; and that to carry them fifty miles " on men's backs was nut practicable at that " hot season."

la the moan time Paspahey 's Queens, chilr dren and people came to visit him-with pre^ sents, which he liberally bestowed to make his peace. Captain Smith was^ however, in- flexible, and he had come to aresoluticn to hang the prisoner, when, by the negligence of the guard, he escaped during- the night in liis fetters.

When the Captain heard of Paspahey's

.escape the next morning, he dispatched Capt.

West with fifty men in pursuit of the fugitive 3

but they had to encounter such a host cf

1'5D

Indians, that the troop thought only of re- treating.

Smith feared this triumph would inspire the Indians with confidence, if they were not timely chastised. He therefore put himself at the head of the fifty men, and salHed out equipped for war ; determined to give the enemy no rest till they were fully humbled and subdued.

He carried terror through the country. He burnt Paspahey's town, razed his wigwams, destroyed his canoes, and seized his fishing wires. In his progress down the Chickahomi- ny he found the banks crouded with Indians, "who braved his party to land. The Captain accepted the challenge, and was the first to jump on shore. But no sooner did they re- cognize him, than they all threw down their bows and arrows, and sued for peace. Their orator was a comely young Indian, named Okaning, whose discourse well deserves to be remembered. *' Capt. Smith," said he, " the •* King my master is present ; but he did not " distinguish you among the Big Knives*

* A name given the English by the Indians from their vcaring long swords.

151

" when he braved them to land. He took you " for Capt. West, who had pursued hitn in " war, though he had never been provoked. '* If our King has offended you in escaping " from prison, you ought to consider that the •' fishes swim, the fowls fly, and the very ** beasts strive to escape the snare and line. " Our King, therefore, who is a man, ought " not to be blamed for following the instinct ** of nature in brutes. If you persist in your " resolution to annoy us, every loss we sus- ** tain will affect 3'our people ; for we will ** abandon our habitations, and by settling be- " yond your reach, you will be deprived of " our tributes of corn and fruit. We there- *' fore earnestly beseech you to grant us " peace, and suffer us to enjoy our wigwams, *' and plant our nelds in quiet and security. " If you assure us of your friendship, we will " trust in your word ; if you proceed in your " revenge, we will abandon the country."

The moral character of Ca'f>t. Smith was not only distinguished by courage, but hu- manity J he was illustrious for that quality which has. formed essentially the heroes of every age. He granted peace to the Indians, and ieit them rejoicing.

The Dutch trait rs, Adams, Volday and* Francis, could not be recovert-d j but their eud was such as their baseness merited.- — Dissatisfied with their condition, they would' have gone back to James Town, and throwri themselves on the clemency of Capt. Smith. But Powhatan, beinu; told by them they would begone, made answer, " You that " have betrayed Capt. Smith to me will cer- " tainly not scruple to betray me to him 3" and having sent them into a dark wigwam; he caused his men to beat out their brains.

That supreme direction of all the Compa- ny's operations, which the King by his charter had reserved to himself, discouraged persons of lank or property ih m becoming members of a society so dependent on the arbitrary- will of the crown. Upon a representation of this to James,- be granted them a new charter, with more ample privileges, lie en- larged the boundaries of the Colony ; he rendered the powers of the company, as a corporation, more explicit and complete ; h*e abolished the jurisdiction of the council re^ji- ■ dent in Virginia; he vested the government in a council residing in London ; he grantAl to thepioprictorsof the conipuny t^- right sf

1.5

oo

electing the persons who were to c-)mp-"se this council, by a majority of voices ; he au- thorised this council to establish such laws, orders and forms of government and magis- tracy, for the colony and plantation, as they in their discretion should think to be fittest for the good of the adventurers and inhabi- tants there ; he empowered them to nomin- ate a governor to have the administration of affairs in the colony, and to carry their orders nito execution. In consequence of these con- cessions, the company having acquired the power ( f regulating all its own transactions, the number of proprietors increased, and a- mong them we find the most respectable names in the nation.

The first deed cf the new council was to appoint Lord Delavv are governr^r and captain- general of their C.lony in Virginia. Bat as he could not immediately leave England, the Council dispatched Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and Sir Thomas Dal ^, with nine ships and five hundred men, women and children. They carried with them commis- sions by which they were empowered to su- persede the jnrisdiction of Capt. Smith, to proclaim* Lord Delaware governor, and, until

154

he should arrive, to take the adaiinistratioii of aflairs into their own hands.

The fleet sailed from England in Ma)V IG09, ^"d hy some strange policy the three Kniglits were embarked in one ship. A vio- lent hurricane separated their vessel from the rest of the fleet, and stranded it on the island of Bermudas. The other ships arrived safely at James Town. But the fate of the three Knights was unknown ; their commission for new -modelling the government, and all pub- lic papers, were supposed to be lest, togethec with them.

In the vessels that escaped the furj'- of the elements came the Captains Ratcliff'e and Archer, together with several gentlemen of bijthand fortune.

Capt. Smith being informed by his scouts of the approach of this fleet to the coast, and little dreaming of such a supi,>ly, suj)poscd them at first to be Spaniards. He according- ly put himself in! o the best posture of de- fence that he could. He assembled his forces, got ready his cannon, and manned the ram- ])arts. The Indians on this occasion shewed their friendshij), and prepared with great ala- crity to co-operate with the English j and the

155

Captain thought himself so well provided for the reception of an enemy, that he was not intimidated at their approach,

A host of Spaniards could not have been more troublesome, than some of the men these vessels vomited on the shore. Rat- cliffe and Archer had infused such jealousies and prejudices into the emigrants against Capt. Smith, that they mortally hated him, before they had seen his face. But those of good sense and experience, when they heard the favourable report of his old soldiers, and witnessed the prudence and uprightness of his action?;, were soon undeceived, and sav;* into the malice of Ratcliffe and his faction.

The present form of government v/as, how- ever, held to be abohshed ; a scene of the wildest anarchy and confusion ensued ; and Smith was troubled and perplexed how to proceed. At first finding that his authority was cancelled and changed, he resolved to embark for England ; but when ha came to reflect that his own commission could not be legally superseded without the actual pro- duction of another, he was determined to assert his own rights, and act with his wont- ed vigour.

U6

With great resolution, and at the perpe- tual hazard of his life, he opposed the torrent of faction aad immorality. Ratcliffe and Archer he seized in the face of their aban- doned and seditious CTev*^, and comnaittcd them to prison, till he should have leisure to bring them to a legal trial.

The better to dissipate the humours, and break the confederacies of the malcontents, he sent Mr. West with a hundred of them to make a settlement at the Fails ; and Mr. Martm with nearly the same number to Nan- samnnd.

The Nansamonds having been reduced to subjection and contribution, received Air. Martin with tbe humility of vassals. Yet such was his unreasonable jealousy and fear, that he surprized their poor naked King, his monuments and houses, and fortified himself iind men on his island.

The Indians perceived his fear and distrac- tion. They assembled in a body, and reso- Jutely assaulting him, not only released their King, but slew several of tlie Englisli, and gathered and carried olT a thousand bushels of corn J v\ hile he never once oCered to inter- cept them, but sent to Capt. Smith for thirty

1.57

soldiers. These the Captain sent liim, and Jeffrey, Russel, Berkeley and Percy were part of the detachment. But he was so ill qnalified to direct the energies of soldiers, that the troop marched back through the same path they went, provoked at his insuffi- ciency. And to crown the whole, leaving his company to their fortunes, he returned himself to James Town.

Capt. Smith followed the other company up to the Falls, to see them well seated. But he was surprized in his way to meet Captaia West returning to James Town ; that gen- tleman had found his factious disorderly com- pany totally ungovernable.

Captain Smith found the settlement very inconsiderately made, in a place which was subject to the river's inundation. To remedy this, he immediately sent to Powhatan, and purchased the place called Powhatan. The terms of the agreement were, that the Eng- lish should give him a certain quantity of copper, and defend him against the Mana- kins. But Capt. West's company affected such dependance en the new commission, that they rejected the interference of Captain Smith with insolence and contempt. o

158

But he was not to be intimidated by their turbulence and Hcentiousness. He ventured to land among them with only Jeihey, Rolfe, Berkeley and Todliill , the ringleaders in the mutiny he dragged to prison ; otliers he threatened with punishment, till by their numbers they obliged him to retreat.

In retreating with his four men from the new settlers, of whom the better sort were dissipated hopeless young men, and the lower order profligate or desperate -, he was assailed by them with stones, brickbats and every thing they could lay hands upon.

Being thus desperately assaulted, he with iiis four men retreated to the water-side, where, out of the height of his courage, dis- daining to yield liimself to such caitiffs, he gallantly opposed the croud, calling out to Jeffrey, Rolfe, Berkeley and Todkill, " com- *' rades, if we are to fall, let it be fighting to *• the last."

In the meantime the Captain of a mer- chant brig lying in the river, witnessed the unequal conflict through his perspective glass, and dispatched his boat \t'itli a couple of boys to bring off Captain Smith and I lie four men devoted to imn. liiey made good then* em-

Io9

barkati^n ; and though there was a large boat belonging to the new settlers, ready for launching, yet none could summon courage enough to pursue Capt. Smith.

An Indian Chief" came the next day on board the brig in his canoe, and made Capt. Smith an oration. " You promised," said the Chief, " to defend us against the Mana- " kins, but you have sent us for protectors " worse enemies than the Manakins them- ** selves. They steal our corn, rob our gar- " dens, enter our wigwams, and carry our " wives away by force. All this we have ** borne out of love to you ; but we desire " your pard-^n, if hereafter we defend our- " selves, our families and dwellings."

The Captain not making an immediate re- ply, the orator proceeded.

" As Powhatan has called in your assist- " ance to preserve him from his enemies, we *' now bok upon you to be a greater Wero- " wance than he : we profess ourselves obedi- *• ent to you : at the fu'st war-wiioop you set " up, you shall find us eager to march through " the war-path, and if 3'ou will lead us on " against the rebellious English, we will fight " for you like brothers."

160

The same day Capt. Smith sent a boat on shore with a flag of truce to West's Fort, the name the malcontents had called their settle- ment 3 but finding they were not to be re- claimed, he gave the master of the brig or- ders to weigh his anchor, and proceed to James Town.

In the meantime the Chief Pakankey w ent round among his injured tribe, calling on them to avenge the crying blood of their slain kinsmen. He went three times round their dark winter-house, contrary to the course of the sun, sounding the war-whoop, singing the war-song, and beating the drum. Then he spoke to the listening croud with very rapid language, short pauses, and an awful commanding voice. " I remind you," said he, " of the continued friendly offices you " have done the Big Knives, but which they " have ungratefully returned with the blood " of your kinsman. The white paths having, " therefore, changed their beloved colour, *• my heart burns within me with eagerness " to tincture them all along, and even make " them flow over with the hateful blood of the " Big Knives. You (hen, my kindred war- " riors, who are not afraid of the enemies'

161

'* bullets, come and join me with cheerful " manly hearts. I am fully convinced as " you are all bound by the love-knot, so you " are all ready to hazard your lives to revenge " the blood of your countrymen. Hitherto " the love of order, and the old religious cus' " toms of your country, have checked your " daring generous hearts ; but now those " hindrances are removed. Come, then, O " kindred warriors, at my whoop -, assemble " and join me !"

The brig was no sooner under sail tha» fifty Indians, headed by Pakankey, assaulted the hundred English in their fort j the assail- ants were naked, painted all over red and black, and began their attack with sounding the dreadful death whoop whoop.

The new settlers were panic-struck. They abandoned the fort, and shut themselves up in their huts. Hoop Hoop Ha was now joy- fully sGimded by the red invaders ; they brought down many of the fugitives, scalped them, and,. having recovered their wives, re- treated singing their song of war.

Capt, Smith, witnessing this aifair, sailed back again to the settlement, and summoned the people to a parley. They were affrighted o 2

162

beyond measure at the silly assault nf the In- dians ^ the death wh^op still rang in their ears ; and they were glad to surrender them- selves on any terms to bis mercy.

He exercised his authority with great judg- ment and discretion. He sent six of the chief offenders in chains to James Town, and the rest to establish a settlement at Powhatan ; a spot so pleasant and strongly fortified by na- ture, that it obtained the name of Nonsuch. But on his return from this new plantation, an accident happened to him which nearly terminated in fatal consequences. While he was lying asleep during the night in his boat, a spark from a fire, which had been kindled by one of the crew, communicated to his pow- der-bag, which blew up and tore the flesh from his body and thighs ten or more inches square. Awaking in surprize, and finding himself wrapt in flames, he leaped into the water, and was almost drowned before his companions could recover him.

In this piteous state he arrived at James Town, where Ratcliife and Archer were soon to be brought to their trials ; but their guilty consciences misgiving them, and witnessing Captain Smith's helpless condition, they con-

16$

spired to murder him in his bed. But sleep- ing with liis face upwards, the assassin whom they employed had such feehngs of awe, that he had not power to draw the trigger of his pistol.

His old soldiers were provoked beyond en- durance at the malice and sedition of the conspirators ; they gained admittance to his bed side, and importuned him to give them only the word, and they would bring him the heads of the boldest that had the temerity to resist his commands.

He thanked them for their friendly warmth, but appeased their resentment. His bodily sufferings became more grievous, and know- ing that his presence and activity were neces- sary to suppress the factions in the colony^ and range the country for provisions, he was determined to leave it ; and was carried on board one of the ships returning to England, where he hoped he might recover by more skilful treatment than he could meet with in Virginia.

It was on Michaelmas day l609jthat Capt. Smith bade farewell to that shore, on which he had founded a c^^lony, that was decreed in the progress of time to become an independ-

164

ant empire, and, confederating itself with otlier colonies, to tiold a distinguislied rank among the nations of the earth.

He was much regretted by his few friends, one of whom has left a character of him which deserves to be held up to the imitation of manlvind.

'* In all his proceedings he made justice his " first guide, and experience the second. He ** was ever fruitful in expedients to provide *' for the people under his command, whom " he would never suffer to want any thing he " either had, or could procure. He rather " chose to lead,^ than send his soldiers into " danger ; and upon all hazardous and fa- " tiguing expeditions, he always shared every " thing equally with his company, and never " desired any of them to do or undergo any " thing which he was not willing to do or un* " dergo himself He hated baseness, sloth, ** pride,, and indignity, more than any danger.;^ ** he would sutler want rather than borrow, *' and starve sooner tlian not pay. He loved ** action more than words, and hated false- *' hood and covetousness- worse than death ; " his adventures gave life and subsistency to " the colony, and his loss was its rum and des- " tructiou.

165

" There are many Captains who are no '^ soldiers -, but Capt. Smith was a soldier of " the true old English stamp, who fought not " for gain or empty praise, but for his couu- " try's honour and the public good. His wit, " courage and success in Virginia are worthy " of eternal memory ; by the mere force of " his virtue and courage, he awed the Indian " Kings, and made tiiem submit and bring " tributes.

" Yet notwithstanding such a stern and in- " vincible resolution, there was seldom seen a " milder or more tender heart than his was. " He had nothing in him counterfeit or sly, " but was open, honest and sincere ; and " there was, perhaps, never a soldier before " him so free from those military vices of wine, " tobacco, debts, dice and oaths."

Mr. Percy bad also taken his passage in one of the ships to go to England, but when captain Smith's resolution to embark was known, many came about the young noble- man, and by their entreaties and persuasions prevailed on him to stay, and take upon himself the government. But there were settlers up in arms calling themselves presi- dents and counsellors, of whom several be-

166^

gan to fawn upon Smith and solicit hTm to give up his commission to them. And after much refusal and many bitter repulses, that their ruin and confusion might not be attri- buted to him, he permitted his commission to be stolen, but could never be induced to resign it into such vile contaminated hands. The ship in which he embarked was, however, detained three weeks, till his en- emies couid write letters, and frame com- plaints against him. The mutineers at the falls complained that he caused the Indians to assault them. The Dutchman whom he had spared swore he had sent rats-bane to poison him. Coe and Dyer, who undertook to assassinate him, made oath they had heard him say that if Powhatan did not give him all his corn, he should not long enjoy his copper crown nor his robes of royalty ; which justified the presumption that he as- pired at sovereignty himself. A number concurred in charging him with a design to reign over the whole country, by marrying Pokahontas, to whom the scepter of Powha- tan would remotely descend ; and hence his extraordinary labour to bring the Indians to subjection, and the blandishments he practi-

167

sed to conciliate the affections of the prin* cess. In a word every thing he had uttered either in passion, or mirth, was recollected and stated.

It may not be uninteresting to exhibit a picture of James Town, or rather of the Fort, which had attained to some dignity at the departure of Smith. A low and level lot of ground of about half an acre on the north side of the river was palizaded in a traiiigular form; the south side next the river compre- hended one hundred and forty yards ; the west and east sides respectively a hundred. At every angle or corner where the lines intersected, a bulwark or watchtower was raised, and in each bulwark was mounted a piece of ordnance. On every side, at a pro- portionable distance from the pallisade, was a settled street of houses, which were so laid out, that, each line of the angle had its street-. In the center st-^od the market-house, store- house, guard- house and church.

Thus was the town inclosed with a palis- ade of planks and strong posts four feet deep in the ground ; composed of young oaks and walnuts. The principal gate from the town through the palisade opened on the river ; at

168

each bulwark there was also a gate, and at everj gate, and in the market-place, a demi- culverin.

Such was the form of the town ; and the co- lony under the fostering hand of its parent and savior was not less flourishing. For the captain left behind him three boats and four hundred and ninety people j the harvest newly gathered ; twenty four pieces of ord- nance, three hundred muskets and a propor- tionable quantity of powder and shot ; a sufficient supply of swords and pikes : nets for fishing, tools of all sorts, and an abundance of apparel ; five or six hundred swine, as many hens and chickens, some sheep and goats ; and the Indians, their language and habitations well known to a hundred soldiers expert in their evolutions.

Though the breast of the lady Pokahon- tas cherished the deepest affection for Capt. Smith, yet such is the innate modesty of wo- men in all countries, that her timid lipsconld not summon resolution to tell him of her love j though her looks and sighs developed the conscious flame. The discernment of Capt. Smith could not but read the passi'^n in her eyes. Yet, like a true soldier, unwil-

169

ling to put his unhoused free condition int« circumscription and confine, though he be- haved to her with marked attention, he never dropped the slightest hint about marriage. Averse to any solemn engagement with Pokahontas, yet conscious of her own ardour for such an union, captain Smith devised an