Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
History
Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
United States -- History
Two dayes after, Powhatan having disguised himselfe in the most
fearefullest manner he could, caused Captain Smith to be brought forth
to a great house in the woods, and there vpon a mat by the fire to be
left alone. Not long after from behinde a mat that divided the house,
was made the most dolefullsst noyse he ever heard; then Powhatan more
like a devill than a man, with some two hundred more as blacke as
himselfe, came vnto him and told him now they were friends, and
presently he should goe to Iames towns, to send him two great gunnes,
and a gryndstone, for which he would giue him the Country of
Capabowosick, and for ever esteeme him as his sonne Nantaquoud.
So to Iames towne with 12 guides Powhatan sent him. That night they
quartered in the woods, he still expecting (as he had done all this
long time of his imprisonment) every houre to be put to one death or
other: for all their feasting. But almightie God (by his divine
providence) had mollified the hearts of those sterne Barbarians with
compassion. The next morning betimes they came to the Fort, where
Smith having vsed the Salvages with what kindnesss he could, he shewed
Rawhunt, Powhatans trusty servant, two demi-Culverings and a millstone
to carry Powhatan: they found them somewhat too heavie; but when they
did see him discharge them, being loaded with stones, among the boughs
of a great tree loaded with Isiekles the yce and branches came so
tumbling downe, that the poore Salvages ran away halfa dead with
feare. But at last we regained some conference with them, and gaue
them such toyes; and sent to Powhatan, his women, and children such
presents, as gaue them in generall full content.
Now in Iames Towne they were all in combustion, the strongest
preparing once more to run away with the Pinnace; which with the
hazzard of his life, with Sakre falcon and musket shot, Smith forced
now the third time to stay or sinke.
Some no better than they should be, had plotted with the President,
the next day to haue put him to death by the Leviticall law, for the
liues of Robinson and Emry; pretending the fault was his that had led
them to their ends; but he quickly tooke such order with such Lawyers,
that he layd them by the heeles till he sent some of them prisoners
for England.
Now ever once in foure or fiue dayes, Pocahontas with her attendants,
brought him so much provision, that saved many of their liues, that
els for all this had starved with hunger....
Thus you may see what difficulties still crossed any good indevour;
and the good successe of the businesse being thus oft brought to the
very period of destruction; yet you see by what strange means God hath
still delivered it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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