CHAPTER XII.
“I hold him great who for love’s sake
Can give with earnest, generous will;
But he who takes for love’s sweet sake,
I think I hold more generous still.”
Proctor.
News came from Ranteo, just as Iosco was starting on his return to Croatoan, that the whole tribe had risen up against him for helping his father’s murderers to escape, and they would not have him for their chief. This was the doing of the medicine-men, who had lost much of their former power since Manteo’s visit to England, for he had given up many of the old superstitions. Ranteo strongly urged Iosco to go on to Powhatan, and if he were received kindly, to stay there for a while; if his people needed him, Ranteo would let him know. He felt certain they would soon want him, for Meninosia, Manteo’s brother, who was now to be chief, was hard and cruel. So it came about that Iosco reached the camp of the great Powhatan on the Youghianund flu at Werowocomoca, in company with the miserable remnant of the English Roanoke Colony. It was at dusk when he made known who he was, and they were admitted into the camp, and told that the great Werowance would see the son of the brave warrior, Manteo, when the sun next stood over the tall pine-tree. The next day was rainy, so the medicine-men said the sun was not there, as they could not see it, and Iosco was obliged to wait till the following day, when the sun came out bright and clear, and the whole world seemed shining with unusual lustre. The fugitives would know their fate soon. At noon Iosco would be summoned to the great Werowance.
The sun had just come above the horizon as Virginia stepped out of the wigwam, the birds were singing their morning hymn, the little squirrels were scampering to and fro getting food for their young; a few of the women were beginning to work at skins, others were preparing food. They looked curiously at Virginia as she passed them, but did not speak, for she looked sad, and they were sorry for her. She must be the wife of the young chief, they thought. But where did he find a squaw with eyes like the sky, and hair like the sun? She passed under the shadow of the great pines alone. All the world seemed to be in families, or at least to belong to some one, while she was all alone. She had never known a relation but her mother. Oh, for that mother! why could she not have gone with her?