Ten American Girls From History | Page 6

time the white men were patient under the
annoyance, but when knives and swords began to go, a watch was set
for the thieves, and nine of them were caught and detained at the
Jamestown fort, for Captain Smith suspected treachery on Powhatan's
part and determined to hold them until all the stolen articles were sent
back. In return the Indians captured two straggling Englishmen and
came in a shouting throng to the fort clamoring for the release of the
imprisoned Indians. Out came the bold Captain and demanded the
instant freeing of the settlers. His force and tactics were so superior to
those of the savages that they were obliged to give up their captives.
Then the Captain examined his Indian prisoners and forced them into a
confession of Powhatan's plot to procure all the weapons possible from
the colonists, which were then to be used to kill their rightful owners.

That was all the Captain wanted of the Indians, but he still kept them
imprisoned, to give them a wholesome fright. Powhatan, enraged at
hearing of the failure of his plot against the white men, determined that
his warriors should be freed at once. He would try another way to gain
his end. From his rustic throne in the Council Hall he sent for
Pocahontas. She was playing a game of Gawàsa (snow-snake) with two
of her comrades, but left them instantly and ran to the Council Hall.
Long and earnestly Powhatan talked to her, and she listened intently.
When he had finished a pleased expression flashed into her black eyes.
"I will do what you wish," she said, then ran back to join in the game
she had left so suddenly.
The next morning she went swiftly along the forest trail now so
familiar to her, and at length approached the settlers' stockade and
demanded audience with the Captain. He was busy chopping trees at
the other end of the settlement, but dropped his ax at the summons and
hurried to bid the little maiden welcome with the courtly deference he
always showed her, whether he really felt it or not. With folded arms
and intent silence he listened to her plea:
For her sake would he not give up the Indians detained in the fort as
prisoners? Powhatan was very anxious that the pleasant relations
between himself and the Englishmen should not be disturbed by such
an unfriendly act as holding his men captive. Would the noble
Caucarouse not free them for the sake of that maiden who had saved
his life?
Captain Smith listened with a set expression and soldierly bearing and
tried to evade glancing into the girl's eager eyes, but found it
impossible. One look broke down his iron determination, and bending
over her hand with his Old World chivalry, he said:
"Your request shall be granted. They shall be freed, but not in justice,
simply as an act of friendship for you, who saved my life."
His intention was clear, though his words were not understood. Joyfully
Pocahontas beamed and blushed her rapturous thanks. Smith, none too

happy over the result of Powhatan's shrewd move, called forth the
sullen warriors from the fort, and sent them on their way back to
Werewocomoco, led by victorious Pocahontas.
But the Indian girl did not spend all of her time in such heroic deeds as
this, nor in dreaming of the pale-faced Caucarouse. She was usually
the merry, care-free child of the forest and daily led her mates in sport
and dance. Once when the Captain went to Werewocomoco to confer
with Powhatan on matters concerning neighboring tribes, and found the
great Chief away from home, Pocahontas did the honors of the village
in her father's place. After sending an Indian runner to request the old
ruler to return, she invited Smith and his companions to be seated in an
open space before the huge fire which had been built for their benefit.
There, with the clear starlit sky over their heads, and the forest on all
sides, they awaited the pleasure of their dusky hostess. But she
remained away from them for so long that they grew uneasy, fearing
some plot against them. While the Captain was wondering what to do
in case of treachery, the woods suddenly resounded with wild shrieks
and hideous yells. All jumped to their feet, but stepped back at sight of
Pocahontas, who darted from the woods to the Captain's side and said
that there was nothing to fear, that she would not allow a hair of the
white men's heads to be injured, but had merely arranged a masquerade
to amuse her guests while they awaited Powhatan's coming. Then she
flitted back into the forest, and presently she danced out, leading a band
of thirty young Indian girls, whose bodies