Ten American Girls From History | Page 5

the reason. In reply she only flung back her head with an indifferent
gesture, and walked away from them. Later when the great fires blazed
in Council Hall and Long House, she sought the trusty warrior who had
accompanied Captain Smith to Jamestown, and he gave her such news
of the settlers as he had heard from the Indians who loafed about
Jamestown. They were on friendly terms with the white men, who let
them come and go at will as long as they were peaceful and did not try
to pilfer corn or firearms.
Winter came with its snow and zero weather, and Pocahontas heard of
great hunger and many privations among the colonists. She held a long
secret conversation with the Indian warrior who knew of her interest in
the pale-faced Caucarouse, then, at twilight of a bitter cold day, she
stole out from her wigwam, met the warrior at the beginning of the
Jamestown trail, and after carefully examining the store of provisions

which she had commanded him to bring, she plunged into the gloomy
wood trail with her escort, hurrying along the rough path in the
darkness, until she reached the rough stockade guarding the entrance to
the settlement.
The man on watch, who had heard many glowing descriptions of the
maiden who had saved his Captain's life, recognized her at once and
admired her exceedingly as she stood there in her dusky imperiousness,
demanding to see the Captain. Astonished, but pleased at her coming,
Smith quickly came to greet her and was enthusiastic in his thanks for
the provisions she had brought. Then by the flare of a torch he showed
his eager guest as much of their little village as could be seen in the
fast-falling darkness, enjoying her questions and her keen interest in
such buildings and articles as she had never seen before. She responded
to the Englishmen's cordiality with shy, appreciative glances and would
have liked to linger, but it was too late for her to remain longer, and the
colonists crowded around her with expressions of regret that she must
leave and renewed thanks for her gifts. Then Pocahontas and her Indian
escort started back toward Werewocomoco, taking the trail with flying
feet that her absence might not be discovered.
From that day she often found her way to Jamestown, carrying stores of
provisions from her father's well-filled larder, sometimes going in
broad daylight, with rosy cheeks and flying hair, after her morning
swim in the river, at other times starting out on her errand of mercy at
twilight, always protected by a faithful warrior who was on terms of
intimacy with the settlers and felt a deep pride in their admiration for
Pocahontas, whom they called "The Little Angel," and well they might,
for they would have gone without food many a time during that bitter
winter but for her visits.
As for Powhatan, he was too well accustomed to the forest excursions
of his "dearest daughter," and to having her roam the neighboring
country at will, to watch her carefully. He knew that his daughter was
safe on Indian territory, never dreaming that she would go beyond it,
and as her guide was loyal, there was no one to prevent her from
following out her heart's desires in taking food to her Captain and his

people.
But as time went on and Powhatan heard more of the wonderful
firearms and useful articles possessed by the white men, he became not
only bitterly jealous of them, but determined to secure their arms and
articles for his own use. "So when the valiant Captain made another
visit to Werewocomoco and tried to barter beads and other trinkets for
corn, the old chief refused to trade except for the coveted firearms,
which the Captain declined to give. But he did give him a boy named
Thomas Salvage, whom Powhatan adopted as his son, and in exchange
gave Smith an Indian boy, Namontack. Then there were three days of
feasting and dancing, but of trading there was none, and Captain Smith
was determined to get corn." He showed Powhatan some blue beads
which took the Indian ruler's fancy and he offered a small amount of
corn in exchange for them, but the Captain laughed scornfully. Those
beads were the favorite possession of Kings and Queens in other
countries, why should they be sold to Powhatan? he asked. Powhatan
became eager--offered more corn. The Captain hesitated, shook his
head, and played his part in the transaction so well that when at last he
gave in, he had secured three hundred bushels of corn for the really
worthless beads!
In the following months the Indians threw off their mask of friendliness
for the colonists and began to steal the firearms so coveted by
Powhatan. For some