As we are not endeavoring to write the early history of Virginia, butonly to trace Smith's share in it, we proceed with his exploits afterthe arrival of the first supply, consisting of near a hundred men, intwo ships, one commanded by Captain Newport and the other by CaptainFrancis Nelson. The latter, when in sight of Cape1 Henry, was drivenby a storm back to the West Indies, and did not arrive at James Riverwith his vessel2, the Phoenix3, till after the departure of Newport forEngland with his load of "golddust," and Master Wingfield and CaptainArthur.
In his "True Relation," Smith gives some account of his explorationof the Pamunkey River, which he sometimes calls the "Youghtamand,"upon which, where the water is salt, is the town of Werowocomoco. Itcan serve no purpose in elucidating4 the character of our hero toattempt to identify all the places he visited.
It was at Werowocomoco that Smith observed certain conjurations ofthe medicine men, which he supposed had reference to his fate. Fromten o'clock in the morning till six at night, seven of the savages6,with rattles7 in their hands, sang and danced about the fire, layingdown grains of corn in circles, and with vehement8 actions, castingcakes of deer suet, deer, and tobacco into the fire, howling withoutceasing. One of them was "disfigured with a great skin, his headhung around with little skins of weasels and other vermin, with acrownlet of feathers on his head, painted as ugly as the devil." Sofat they fed him that he much doubted they intended to sacrifice himto the Quiyoughquosicke, which is a superior power they worship: amore uglier thing cannot be described. These savages buried theirdead with great sorrow and weeping, and they acknowledge noresurrection. Tobacco they offer to the water to secure a goodpassage in foul9 weather. The descent of the crown is to the firstheirs of the king's sisters, "for the kings have as many women asthey will, the subjects two, and most but one."After Smith's return, as we have read, he was saved from a plot totake his life by the timely arrival of Captain Newport. Somewhereabout this time the great fire occurred. Smith was now one of theCouncil; Martin and Matthew Scrivener, just named, were alsocouncilors. Ratcliffe was still President. The savages, owing totheir acquaintance with and confidence in Captain Smith, sent inabundance of provision. Powhatan sent once or twice a week "deer,bread, raugroughcuns (probably not to be confounded with therahaughcuns [raccoons] spoken of before, but probably 'rawcomens,'
mentioned in the Description of Virginia), half for Smith, and halffor his father, Captain Newport." Smith had, in his intercourse10 withthe natives, extolled11 the greatness of Newport, so that theyconceived him to be the chief and all the rest his children, andregarded him as an oracle12, if not a god.
Powhatan and the rest had, therefore, a great desire to see thismighty person. Smith says that the President and Council greatlyenvied his reputation with the Indians, and wrought13 upon them tobelieve, by giving in trade four times as much as the price set bySmith, that their authority exceeded his as much as their bounty14.
We must give Smith the credit of being usually intent upon thebuilding up of the colony, and establishing permanent and livablerelations with the Indians, while many of his companions in authorityseemed to regard the adventure as a temporary occurrence, out ofwhich they would make what personal profit they could. The new-comers on a vessel always demoralized the trade with the Indians, bypaying extravagant15 prices. Smith's relations with Captain Newportwere peculiar16. While he magnified him to the Indians as the greatpower, he does not conceal17 his own opinion of his ostentation18 andwant of shrewdness. Smith's attitude was that of a priest who putsup for the worship of the vulgar an idol19, which he knows is only aclay image stuffed with straw.
In the great joy of the colony at the arrival of the first supply,leave was given to sailors to trade with the Indians, and the new-comers soon so raised prices that it needed a pound of copper20 to buya quantity of provisions that before had been obtained for an ounce.
Newport sent great presents to Powhatan, and, in response to the wishof the "Emperor," prepared to visit him. "A great coyle there was toset him forward," says Smith. Mr. Scrivener and Captain Smith, and aguard of thirty or forty, accompanied him. On this expedition theyfound the mouth of the Pamaunck (now York) River. Arriving atWerowocomoco, Newport, fearing treachery, sent Smith with twenty mento land and make a preliminary visit. When they came ashore21 theyfound a network of creeks22 which were crossed by very shaky bridges,constructed of crotched sticks and poles, which had so much theappearance of traps that Smith would not cross them until many of theIndians had preceded him, while he kept others with him as hostages.
Three hundred savages conducted him to Powhatan, who received him ingreat state. Before his house were ranged forty or fifty greatplatters of fine bread. Entering his house, "with loude tunes23 theymade all signs of great joy." In the first account Powhatan isrepresented as surrounded by his principal women and chief men, "asupon a throne at the upper end of the house, with such majesty24 as Icannot express, nor yet have often seen, either in Pagan orChristian." In the later account he is "sitting upon his bed ofmats, his pillow of leather embroidered25 (after their rude manner withpearls and white beads26), his attire27 a fair robe of skins as large asan Irish mantel; at his head and feet a handsome young woman; on eachside of his house sat twenty of his concubines, their heads andshoulders painted red, with a great chain of white beads about eachof their necks. Before those sat his chiefest men in like order inhis arbor-like house." This is the scene that figures in the oldcopper-plate engravings. The Emperor welcomed Smith with a kindcountenance, caused him to sit beside him, and with pretty discoursethey renewed their old acquaintance. Smith presented him with a suitof red cloth, a white greyhound, and a hat. The Queen of Apamatuc, acomely young savage5, brought him water, a turkeycock, and bread toeat. Powhatan professed29 great content with Smith, but desired to seehis father, Captain Newport. He inquired also with a merrycountenance after the piece of ordnance30 that Smith had promised tosend him, and Smith, with equal jocularity, replied that he hadoffered the men four demi-culverins, which they found too heavy tocarry. This night they quartered with Powhatan, and were liberallyfeasted, and entertained with singing, dancing, and orations31.
The next day Captain Newport came ashore. The two monarchs32 exchangedpresents. Newport gave Powhatan a white boy thirteen years old,named Thomas Savage. This boy remained with the Indians and servedthe colony many years as an interpreter. Powhatan gave Newport inreturn a bag of beans and an Indian named Namontack for his servant.
Three or four days they remained, feasting, dancing, and trading withthe Indians.
In trade the wily savage was more than a match for Newport. Heaffected great dignity; it was unworthy such great werowances todicker; it was not agreeable to his greatness in a peddling33 manner totrade for trifles; let the great Newport lay down his commodities alltogether, and Powhatan would take what he wished, and recompense himwith a proper return. Smith, who knew the Indians and theirostentation, told Newport that the intention was to cheat him, buthis interference was resented. The result justified34 Smith'ssuspicion. Newport received but four bushels of corn when he shouldhave had twenty hogsheads. Smith then tried his hand at a trade.
With a few blue beads, which he represented as of a rare substance,the color of the skies, and worn by the greatest kings in the world,he so inflamed35 the desire of Powhatan that he was half mad to possesssuch strange jewels, and gave for them 200 to 300 bushels of corn,"and yet," says Smith, "parted good friends."At this time Powhatan, knowing that they desired to invade or exploreMonacan, the country above the Falls, proposed an expedition, withmen and boats, and "this faire tale had almost made Captain Newportundertake by this means to discover the South Sea," a project whichthe adventurers had always in mind. On this expedition theysojourned also with the King of Pamaunke.
Captain Newport returned to England on the 10th of April. Mr.
Scrivener and Captain Smith were now in fact the sustainers of thecolony. They made short expeditions of exploration. Powhatan andother chiefs still professed friendship and sent presents, but theIndians grew more and more offensive, lurking36 about and stealing allthey could lay hands on. Several of them were caught and confined inthe fort, and, guarded, were conducted to the morning and eveningprayers. By threats and slight torture, the captives were made toconfess the hostile intentions of Powhatan and the other chiefs,which was to steal their weapons and then overpower the colony.
Rigorous measures were needed to keep the Indians in check, but thecommand from England not to offend the savages was so strict thatSmith dared not chastise37 them as they deserved. The history of thecolony all this spring of 1608 is one of labor38 and discontent, ofconstant annoyance39 from the Indians, and expectations of attacks. Onthe 20th of April, while they were hewing40 trees and setting corn, analarm was given which sent them all to their arms. Fright was turnedinto joy by the sight of the Phoenix, with Captain Nelson and hiscompany, who had been for three months detained in the West Indies,and given up for lost.
Being thus re-enforced, Smith and Scrivener desired to explore thecountry above the Falls, and got ready an expedition. But this,Martin, who was only intent upon loading the return ship with "hisphantastical gold," opposed, and Nelson did not think he hadauthority to allow it, unless they would bind41 themselves to pay thehire of the ships. The project was therefore abandoned. The Indianscontinued their depredations42. Messages daily passed between the fortand the Indians, and treachery was always expected. About this timethe boy Thomas Savage was returned, with his chest and clothing.
The colony had now several of the Indians detained in the fort. Atthis point in the "True Relation" occurs the first mention ofPocahontas. Smith says: "Powhatan, understanding we detained certainSalvages, sent his daughter, a child of tenne years old, which notonly for feature, countenance28, and proportion much exceeded any ofhis people, but for wit and spirit, the only nonpareil of hiscountry." She was accompanied by his trusty messenger Rawhunt, acrafty and deformed43 savage, who assured Smith how much Powhatan lovedand respected him and, that he should not doubt his kindness, had senthis child, whom he most esteemed44, to see him, and a deer, and breadbesides for a present; "desiring us that the boy might come again,which he loved exceedingly, his little daughter he had taught thislesson also: not taking notice at all of the Indians that had beenprisoners three days, till that morning that she saw their fathersand friends come quietly and in good terms to entreat45 their liberty."Opechancanough (the King of "Pamauk") also sent asking the release oftwo that were his friends; and others, apparently46 with confidence inthe whites, came begging for the release of the prisoners. "In theafternoon they being gone, we guarded them [the prisoners] as beforeto the church, and after prayer gave them to Pocahuntas, the King'sdaughter, in regard to her father's kindness in sending her: afterhaving well fed them, as all the time of their imprisonment47, we gavethem their bows, arrows, or what else they had, and with much contentsent them packing; Pocahuntas, also, we requited48 with such trifles ascontented her, to tell that we had used the Paspaheyans very kindlyin so releasing them."This account would show that Pocahontas was a child of uncommondignity and self-control for her age. In his letter to Queen Anne,written in 1616, he speaks of her as aged49 twelve or thirteen at thetime of his captivity50, several months before this visit to the fort.
The colonists51 still had reasons to fear ambuscades from the savageslurking about in the woods. One day a Paspahean came with aglittering mineral stone, and said he could show them great abundanceof it. Smith went to look for this mine, but was led about hitherand thither52 in the woods till he lost his patience and was convincedthat the Indian was fooling him, when he gave him twenty lashes53 witha rope, handed him his bows and arrows, told him to shoot if hedared, and let him go. Smith had a prompt way with the Indians. Healways traded "squarely" with them, kept his promises, and neverhesitated to attack or punish them when they deserved it. Theyfeared and respected him.
The colony was now in fair condition, in good health, and contented;and it was believed, though the belief was not well founded, thatthey would have lasting54 peace with the Indians. Captain Nelson'sship, the Phoenix, was freighted with cedar55 wood, and was despatchedfor England June 8, 1608. Captain Martin, "always sickly andunserviceable, and desirous to enjoy the credit of his supposed artof finding the gold mine," took passage. Captain Nelson probablycarried Smith's "True Relation."
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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elucidating
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| v.阐明，解释( elucidate的现在分词 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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ostentation
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| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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orations
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| n.（正式仪式中的）演说，演讲( oration的名词复数 ) | |
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monarchs
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| 君主，帝王( monarch的名词复数 ) | |
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peddling
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| 忙于琐事的，无关紧要的 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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hewing
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的现在分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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requited
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| v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 )；酬谢；回报；报复 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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