The story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith

Chapter 20: 19. THE MARRIAGE OF POCAHONTAS

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

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.

19. THE MARRIAGE OF POCAHONTAS

She was never allowed to go back to her people, though Nantaquaus came often to see her at Jamestown. And here she grew to be a woman, and learned the ways of the English women, and dressed as they did.

At last a young Englishman, John Rolfe, captivated by her dark beauty and gentle ways, wooed the Indian maid, and as years had passed since Captain John had gone away, and she had long since thought him dead, she listened to Rolfe, and consented to marry him, that peace might reign between her people and the white men.

So they were married in the Jamestown church, and Nantaquaus and a body of chiefs from her tribe, as well as all the settlers, came to the wedding. There was great joy in the town, for now the colonists felt that a good understanding with the Indians was at last established. And Pocahontas, as before, was the tie that bound them.