The next voyage hee proceeded so
farre that with much labour by cutting of trees in sunder he
made his passage, but when his Barge could passe no farther,
he left her in a broad bay out of danger of shot, commanding
none should goe a shore till his returne: himselfe with two
English and two Salvages went up higher in a Canowe, but hee
was not long absent, but his men went a shore, whose want of
government, gave both occasion and opportunity to the Salvages
to surprise one George Cassen, whom they slew, and much failed
not to have cut of the boat and all the rest. Smith little dreaming
of that accident, being got to the marshes at the rivers head,
twentie myles in the desert, had his two men shine (as is supposed)
sleeping by the Canowe, whilst himselfe by fowling sought them
victuall, who finding he was beset with 200. Salvages, two of
them bee slew, still defending himselfe with the ayd of a Salvage
his guid, whom he bound to his arme with his garters, and used
him as a buckler, yet he was shot in his thigh a little, and
had many arrowes that stucke in his cloathes but no great hurt,
till at last they tooke him prisoner. When this newes came to
James towne, much was their sorrow for his losse, fewe expecting
what ensued. Sixe or seven weekes those Barbarians kept him
prisoner, many strange triumphes and conjurations they made
of him, yet hee so demeaned himselfe amongst them, as he not
onely diverted them from surprising the Fort, but procured his
owne libertie, and got himselfe and his company such estimation
amongst them, that those Salvages admired him more then their
owne Quiyouckosucks. The manner how they used and delivered
him, is as followeth.
The Salvages having drawne from
George Cassen whether Captaine Smith was gone, prosecuting that
opportunity they followed him with 300. bowmen, conducted by
the King of Pamaunkee, who in divisions searching the turnings
of the river, found Robinson and Emry by the fire side, those
they shot full of arrowes and slew. Then finding the Captaine,
as is said, that used the Salvage that was his guide as his
shield (three of them being shine and divers other so gauld)
all the rest would not come neere him. Thinking thus to have
returned to his boat, regarding them, as he marched, more then
his way, slipped up to the middle in an oasie creeke & his
Salvage with him, yet durst they not come to him till being
neere dead with cold, he threw away his armes. Then according
to their composition they drew him forth and led him to the
fire, where his men were slaine. Diligently they chafed his
benummed limbs. He demanding for their Captaine, they shewed
him Opechankanough, King of Pamaunkee, to whom he gave a round
Ivory double compass Dyall. Much they marvailed at the playing
of the Fly and Needle, which they could see so plainely, and
yet not touch it, because of the glasse that covered them. But
when he demonstrated by that Globe-like Jewell, . . . they all
stood as amazed with admiration. Notwithstanding, within an
houre after they tyed him to a tree, and as many as could stand
about him prepared to shoot him, but the King holding up the
Compass in his hand, they all laid downe their Bowes and Arrowes,
and in a triumphant manner led him to Orapaks, where he was
after their manner kindly feasted, and well used.
. . . Drawing themselves all in
fyle, the King in the middest had all their Peeces and Swords
borne before him. Captaine Smith was led after him by three
great Salvages, holding him fast by each arme: and on each side
six went in fyle with their Arrowes nocked. But arriving at
the Towne (which was but onely thirtie or fortie hunting houses
made of Mats, which they remove as they please, as we our tents)
all the women and children staring to behold him . . . All this
while Smith and the King stood in the middest guarded, as before
is said, and after three dances they all departed. Smith they
conducted to a long house, where thirtie or fortie tall fellowes
did guard him, and ere long more bread and venison was brought
him then would have served twentie men, I thinke his stomacke
at that time was not very good; what he left they put in baskets
and tyed over his head. About midnight they set the meate againe
before him, all this time not one of them would eate a bit with
him, till the next morning they brought him as much more, and
then did they eate all the old, & reserved the new as they
had done the other, which made him thinke they would fat him
to eat him. Yet in this desperate estate to defend him from
the cold, one Maocassater brought him his gowne, in requitall
of some beads and toyes Smith had given him at his first arrivall
in Virginia.
Two dayes after a man would have
slaine him (but that the guard prevented it) for the death of
his sonne, to whom they conducted him to recover the poore man
then breathing his last. Smith told them that at James towne
he had a water would doe it, if they would let him fetch it,
but they would not permit that; but made all the preparations
they could to assault James towne, craving his advice, and for
recompence he should have life, libertie, land, and women. .
. .
At last they brought him to Meronocomo,
where was Powhatan their Emperor. Here more then two hundred
of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had beene
a monster; till Powhatan and his trayne had put themselves in
their greatest braveries. Before a fire upon a seat like a bedsted,
he sat covered with a great robe, made of Rarowcun skinnes,
and all the tayles hanging by. On either hand did sit a young
wench of 16 or 18 yeares, and along on each side the house,
two rowes of men, and behind them as many women, with all their
heads and shoulders painted red; many of their heads bedecked
with the white downe of Birds; but every one with something:
and a great chayne of white beads about their necks. At his
entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout.
The Queene of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to
wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers,
in stead of a Towell to dry them: having feasted him after their
best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held,
but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before
Powhatan: then as many as could layd hands on him, dragged him
to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their
clubs, to beate out his braines, Pocahontas the Kings dearest
daughter, when no intreaty could prevaile, got his head in her
armes, and laid her owne upon his to save him from death: whereat
the Emperour was contented he should live to make him hatchets,
and her bells, beads, and copper; for they thought him aswell
of all occupations as themselves. For the King himselfe will
make his owne robes, shooes, bowes, arrowes, pots; plant, hunt,
or doe any thing so well as the rest. . . .
Two dayes after, Powhatan having
disguised himselfe in the most fearefull manner he could, caused
Capt. Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods,
and there upon a mat by the fire to be left alone. . . . That
night they quarterd 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 [at Jamestown], where Smith having
used the Salvages with what kindnesse he could, he shewed Rawhunt,
Powhatans trusty servant two demi-Culverings & 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 Isickles, the yce
and branches came so tumbling downe, that the poore Salvages
ran away halfe dead with feare. But at last we regained some
conference with them, and gave them such toyes; and sent to
Powhatan, his women, and children such presents, as gave them
in generall full content.
