The Stronghold: A Story of Historic Northern Neck of Virginia and Its PeopleHaynie, Miriam
History
The Stronghold: A Story of Historic Northern Neck of Virginia and Its People
Haynie, Miriam
Northern Neck (Va.)
The sympathy which Pocahontas had shown for the colonists had caused an
estrangement between her and her father, Powhatan. She lived with him no
longer and was staying in some secrecy with her relations, the King and
Queen of Patowmeke.
For the trip Pocahontas probably wore her robe of deer skins, which was
lined with pigeons' down, and her royal jewels of shell, and the white
feather in her hair which signified that she was a princess. Though
slight of stature, she was doubtless impressive when dressed in her
regalia.
In April, Captain Samuel Argall was sent to the Potomac to trade for
corn. There, he became acquainted with Chief Japazaws, an old friend of
Captain Smith, and learned from him that Pocahontas was his guest.
This knowledge gave Captain Argall an idea. Since Captain Smith had left
the colony at Jamestown the Indians had again become troublesome. If,
thought Captain Argall, Powhatan's favorite daughter could be captured
and held as a hostage peace might be made. The idea grew, and he plotted
to steal the little Indian princess.
Captain Argall bargained with Japazaws--a copper kettle in exchange for
his guest. The chief agreed, but how could he get Pocahontas aboard the
English ship?
Japazaws turned the details of the plot over to his wife. It was up to
her to lure the princess into the hands of Captain Argall.
The chief's wife told Pocahontas that she had a great desire to see an
English ship and that her husband had promised to take her aboard if
the princess would go with her. Although she had no idea that her
identity was known to Captain Argall, Pocahontas refused to go. She had
seen "great canoes" before and did not care to see this one.
Japazaws threatened to beat his wife unless she could persuade
Pocahontas to go aboard the ship. In tears the chief's wife again begged
Pocahontas to go with her. The kind-hearted girl finally consented.
Captain Argall welcomed his three guests and ushered them into the
ship's cabin where a feast had been spread for them. While the banquet
was in progress, Japazaws stepped often on the Captain's foot, under the
table, to remind him that his part had been done.
At an opportune time the Captain persuaded Pocahontas to go into the
gun-room, pretending to have something to talk over in private with
Japazaws. Presently, he sent for her and told her, before her friends,
that she must go with him and "compound peace betwixt her countrie" and
the English before she should ever see her father again.
Pocahontas began to weep and Japazaws and his wife joined in, howling
and crying louder than the girl they had betrayed. Soon the chief and
his wife, with the copper kettle, went "merrily on shore."
A messenger was sent to Powhatan by Captain Argall, to tell him that he
must ransom his beloved daughter with the "men, swords, peeces, tools,
&c. hee trecherously had stolne."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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