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The story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith

Chapter 13: 11–12. POCAHONTAS SAVES CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH’S LIFE
By E. Boyd Smith
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AdventureAmerican LiteratureRomance

About This Book

A vividly illustrated narrative retells the early encounters between a young indigenous Virginian girl and an English adventurer as colonists establish a settlement along the river. It follows their separate origins, the arrival of the newcomers, escalating tensions and skirmishes, the explorer's capture and dramatic rescue by the girl, and her efforts to aid the struggling settlers. Later episodes cover her capture by other colonists, a marriage to an Englishman and a visit to the royal court in England, a reunion with the explorer, and her nostalgic longing for home, concluding with a sober reflection on the personal costs of cultural collision.

11–12. POCAHONTAS SAVES CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH’S LIFE

At last, after long deliberation, the Indians decided that, since he had killed one of their tribe, Captain John must die, for this was their law. So they dragged him, bound, before the great chief Powhatan, who sat in mighty state surrounded by his warriors. They stretched the prisoner on the ground with his head on a large stone, to beat out his brains with their cruel clubs. And it seemed as though at last the gallant Captain’s time had come. But just as the Indian brave was about to strike, his great war club swinging high in the air, Pocahontas rushed forward and threw herself between him and his victim. With her own body she shielded the Captain from harm, for her heart was moved to pity for the stranger, and she could not bear that he should die. And now aroused, with flashing eyes she waved the executioner back. Then she pleaded with her father that the captive’s life be spared.

At once there was wild confusion of shouting and threatening, many crying, “Kill, kill!” while but few were willing to spare his life, for the Indians feared the white men, and wished to drive them from the land.

But Pocahontas, as Princess of the tribe, claimed her right, and would not yield them up their victim. Then Powhatan, who ruled them all, raised his hand and stopped their clamor. In sullen silence the angry warriors awaited his decision. For a moment he hesitated, and the fate of Captain John hung wavering in the balance. Then, to please his favorite daughter, whom he dearly loved, he decreed that she should have her will.

“Let Pocahontas keep the stranger as her own, to make her toys,” he said, for Captain John, during the idle days of weary captivity, had often whittled curious playthings for the little maid.

And thus was Captain John Smith’s life saved by the gentle Indian girl, and with it the Jamestown colony, for without their sturdy and resourceful leader the settlers would have lost courage and abandoned the town.