Pocahontas to the rescue.

In December 1607, Captain John Smith was exploring the uncharted upper regions of the Chickahominy River. Suddenly, there came "a loud cry ... of Indians," Smith later wrote. A hail of arrows pierced the air. "Beset with 200 savages," Smith fought stubbornly, until he fell into a swamp and was captured.

Soon, Smith found himself before the great Chief Powhatan. What happened then was one of the great stories--or myths--of America's founding: Smith's "rescue" by Pocahontas. (See "Did Pocahontas Save Jamestown?" JS September 4, 2006.) The following passage is adapted from Smith's 1624 book, Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles. Smith had written about this meeting with Powhatan before, but had not mentioned the rescue. Historians are divided over whether the incident actually happened. Read the passage below, then answer the questions. (Note that Smith refers to himself in the third person.)

At last they brought Smith to ... Powhatan, their Emperor. Here more than 200 of those grim courtiers stood wondering at Smith, as if he was a monster.... Before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead, Powhatan sat covered with a great robe, made of raccoon skins, and all the tails hanging by.... At Smith's entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout. The Queen of Appamatuck [one of Powhatan's wives] was appointed to bring Smith water to wash his hands. Another brought him a bunch of feathers, instead of a towel, to dry them.

Having feasted him after their best barbarous manner, a long consultation was held. The conclusion was: two great stones were brought before Powhatan. Then as many people as could laid hands on Smith, dragged him to the stones, and thereon laid his head. They were ready with their clubs, to beat out his brains. [Then] Pocahontas, the King's dearest daughter, when no plea [of hers] could prevail, got Smith's head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death ...

Two days after, Powhatan ... came unto Smith and told him now they were friends. Presently, Smith should go to Jamestown, to send Powhatan two great guns, and a grindstone. For this, Powhatan would give Smith the country of Capahowosick, and forever esteem Smith as his son.

Words to Know

* barbarous: uncivilized; like a barbarian.

* courtiers: people who are members of a royal court,

* grindstone: a large stone used to crush corn and other grains.

* prevail: to prove to be effective.

Questions

1. How did John Smith come to appear before Powhatan?--

2. According to Smith's account, how did members of Powhatan's tribe react to his entrance?--

3. What details in Smith's story show that Powhatan was an impressive figure when Smith first met him?--

4. What custom of Native American cleanliness did Smith find notable?--

5. What kindness did Powhatan show his captive?--

6. What topic were the Indians likely discussing during their "long consultation"?--

7. What detail suggests to readers that, at least to Smith's mind, many of the Indians wished to kill him?--

8. According to Smith, Pocahontas made two efforts to save him. What were they?--

9. What deal did Powhatan offer Smith?--

10. What emotions do you think Smith experienced when Powhatan said that he considered Smith a son. Why?--

Skills Reproducible 6: Using Primany Sources

1. He was captured by Indian warriors while exploring the Chickahominy River.

2. They gave "a great shout."

3. Seated before a fire, he was "covered with a great robe" and surrounded by a large number of courtiers.

4. They used feathers for drying their hands, rather than a towel.

5. Powhatan "feasted" Smith (gave him a big meal).

6. What to do with Smith.

7. "As many people as could" dragged him to the stones and "were ready with their clubs to beat out his brains."

8. First, she pleaded for his life. When that plea did not "prevail," she took Smith's head in her arms.

9. In exchange for "two great guns" (cannon) and a grindstone, Powhatan offered to give Smith "the country of Capahowosick," and promised to "forever esteem" Smith as his son. (The chief was offering Smith the opportunity to resettle the English on territory that Powhatan controlled.)

10. Answers will vary. Possible answers include: relief that he was not about to be killed; suspicion that Powhatan wanted more than he was saying; nervousness, because Smith knew that he was not going to fulfill his part of the deal.