Whilst the Town was rebuilding, Smith set Sail in an open Barque with fourteen Men, and discover’d two Isles before Point Charles, to which he gave his Name; then ran into the Inlet Chesapeack, in the midst of which lay several Islands, by the Sea-men call’d Russels. Before the River Wighcomoco they found a disturbed Sea, and more Northerly a Bay with fresh and hot Water, and at last he met with two Virginians, which conducted the English along a Creek to Onawmoment, where some hundreds of them lay in Ambuscade, according to Powhatan’s appointment, to cut off Smith; who leaping forth on a sudden appear’d like Devils, all painted; but the Bullets flying about made them all run away. Smith, whose Design was onely to discover the Countrey, and the Silver Mine of Patawomeck, ten Leagues up into the Countrey, found the Metal to be of little value, so that he return’d with little Success, being newly cur’d of a poysonous Wound in the Arm, which was given him by a Fish not unlike a Shark, whilst he lay aground near Toppahanock.
A while after being inform’d of Powhatan’s Design to destroy the English, (though he had been lately Presented by Newport with a Silver Basin, a rich Chair, Bed, and Furniture belonging to it, with other things of value) he, to prevent him, chose forty eight out of two hundred Men which were Garrison’d in James-Town, then going to Werowocomoco, Landed with much trouble, the River being frozen above half a Mile from the Shore.
A German Soldier amongst Smith’s Company giving private notice to Powhatan of the Design of the English, made his Escape by flight: But Smith going on to Pamaunke, found King Opechancangough with seven hundred Men in Arms, threatning a fierce Battel; but Smith making directly up to him, set his Pistol on his Breast, and forc’d him to lay down his Arms. Powhatan by this time provided with Swords and Musquets by two Dutch-men, also began to bestir himself afresh; but his Intentions being too soon known, he was again quieted, and forc’d a second time to send Smith a String of Pearl; after which a Peace was concluded between all the Natives and the English.
Many other Quarrels and Encounters there were in the Infancy of the Plantation between the Indians and the English, wherein it would be endless to recount all the Treacheries and Ambuscades of the Salvages, some of which had prov’d very pernicious to the Planters, had they not been betray’d to Captain Smith by Pocahonta, King Powhatan’s Daughter, who upon all occasions shew’d her self a great Friend to the English, having sav’d the Captain’s Life, when, being her Father’s Prisoner, he was just brought to Execution.
This Lady was afterwards brought into England, Christned by the Name of Rebekah, and Married to one Mr. Rolf, and died at Gravesend in an intended Voyage back to her own Countrey.
Nor did their Cruelties and Treacheries end when the Plantation came to be more setled, for on the two and twentieth of March about the Year 1621. in the time of Sir Francis Wyat’s Government, they generally combin’d to destroy all the English there; and carried on this devilish Design with such dissimulation and dexterity, that in one day they cut off seven hundred Men, Women, and Children, there being at that time not above fifteen hundred in the Countrey.
Since which time, in the Year of our Lord 1643. there hapned another bloody Massacre, wherein near five hundred English were in one Night miserably butcher’d by those barbarous and perfidious Salvages: whose Blood the present Governor, Sir William Berkley, nobly and justly reveng’d the Year following, utterly destroying most of them, and taking Prisoner their chief Emperor, Opichancono, who died not long after in Prison.
Having given but a small hint, in its proper place, of the Story of Captain Smith’s Imprisonment by Powhatan, and his deliverance from Death by Pocahonta; we have thought not improper to reserve the Story of it, being very remarkable for a particular Relation, before we conclude our Description of Virginia, since otherwise we should have interrupted the Series of our former Discourse.
The Relation of Captain Smith’s being taken Prisoner by Powhatan, and of his being deliver’d from Death by his Daughter Pocahonta.
The Salvages having drawn from one George Cassen, whither Captain Smith was gone, prosecuting that opportunity, they follow’d him with three hundred Bowe-Men, conducted by the King of Pamaunkee, who in divisions, searching the turnings of the River, found two of his Men by the fire side, whom they shot full of Arrows, and flew. Then finding the Captain, who, as is said, us’d the Salvage that was his Guide as his Shield, (three of them being slain, and others sore gall’d) the rest would not come near him: Thinking thus to have return’d to his Boat, regarding them as he march’d, more than his way, he slipp’d up to the middle in an Osier-Creek, and his Salvage with him, yet durst they not come to him, till being near dead with cold, he threw away his Arms: Then according to their composition, they drew him forth, and led him to the Fire, where his Men were slain; diligently they chaf’d his benumm’d Limbs, he demanding for their Captain, they shew’d him Opechankanough, King of Pamaunkee, to whom he gave a round Ivory double compass Dyal. Much they marvel’d at the playing of the Fly and Needle, which they could see so plainly, and yet not touch it, because of the Glass that cover’d them; but when he demonstrated by that Globe-like Jewel, the roundness of the Earth, and Skies; the Sphere of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and how the Sun did chase the Night round about the World continually; the greatness of the Land and Sea; the diversity of Nations, variety of Complexions, and how we were to them Antipodes, and many other such like matters, they all stood as amaz’d with admiration: Notwithstanding, within an hour after they ty’d him to a Tree, and as many as could stand about him prepar’d to shoot him; but the King holding up the Compass in his Hand, they all laid down their Bowes and Arrows, and in a triumphant manner led him to Orapaks, where he was after their manner kindly Feasted, and well us’d.