He was rescued in an unexpected manner. Po-ca-hon'-tas, Powhatan's daughter and the favorite of the whole tribe, had become warmly attached to the kind and friendly prisoner, who had amused his leisure hours by making toys for the beautiful child and setting the wonders of nature before her inquiring mind. Though only twelve years old, Pocahontas was distinguished for ready wit and generosity of spirit. As the savage executioner lifted his war-club, she threw herself between it and the prisoner, placed her head upon his, and, entreating her father to spare the life of her friend, declared that she would save him or perish. Powhatan's heart relented; and Smith was not only spared, but allowed to return to Jamestown with assurances of friendship on the part of the Indians. From this time Pocahontas was the devoted friend of the colonists. She often visit

ed them and relieved their distress with presents of corn.

104. On his return from captivity, Smith found the colony reduced to forty men, the strongest of whom were preparing to desert their companions and embark in a career of piracy. This desperate act was prevented by the return of the commander; and soon after Newport arrived with 120 immigrants. Some of these were goldsmiths; who, finding what they took for an ore of gold, quickly enkindled among the colonists an insane passion for that precious metal. Newport returned to England with a cargo of the new-found treasure, which proved to be but glittering sand.

Three months of the year 1608 were spent by Smith in exploring Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna. Here he first heard of the Mo'-hawks, who "dwelt upon a great water, had many boats and many men, and made war on all the world". He discovered the harbor of Baltimore, passed up the Potomac above Mount Vernon, met the natives, whether friendly or hostile, in a way that commanded their

he saved? For what was Pocahontas distinguished? How did she afterwards treat the colonists? 104. On his return, in what state did Smith find the colony? What were some preparing to do? What prevented this desperate act? Who soon after arrived? What delusion distracted the colonists for a time? How did Smith spend part of the year 1608? How many miles did he go, and what did he discover and ac

1608]

SMITH'S ADMINISTRATION.

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respect, and made an accurate map of the whole region. Three thousand miles were thus traversed in an open boat.

Smith's superiority as a leader was now so evident that he was elected president of the council; and the colony was soon increased by the arrival of Newport with 70 immigrants. The new comers, however, were not accustomed to labor or hardship, and Smith wrote home, "When you send again, I entreat you rather send but thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gardeners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons, and diggers up of trees' roots, well provided, than a thousand of such as we have.”

En 165. In 1609, a new charter was granted to the company, which extended the limits of the colony and endowed the council and governor with fuller powers than they had before enjoyed. Lord Del'-a-ware was appointed governor, and nine vessels containing supplies and 500 men were sent out under Gates, Newport, and Somers [sum'-erz], who were to manage affairs till Delaware should arrive. A violent storm off the Ber-mu'-das stranded the vessel that bore the three leaders; but the rest of the fleet for the most part reached Jamestown in safety. It was nine months before Gates and his shipwrecked companions joined their countrymen; and in the mean time it required all Smith's genius to suppress dissensions and prevent the dissolution of the colony. Many of those who had recently arrived were loose in their habits and averse to toil; they refused to comply with Smith's regulations and denied his authority. The Indians, too, began to be jealous of the growing numbers of the English, and formed a plot for surprising and murdering them. This was defeated by Pocahontas; who, at the risk of her own life, came through the woods at midnight, and with tears warned the colonists to be on their guard.

Despite these trying circumstances, Smith was not dis

complish during the voyage? What honor was next conferred on Smith? How was the colony soon after increased? What was the character of the new comers? What did Smith write home about them? 105. In 1609, what change was made in the company's charter? Who was appointed governor? How many vessels and men were sent out? Under whom? What happened to the fleet and the leaders? What difficulties beset Smith meanwhile? What plot was formed by the Indians? How was it defeat

couraged; and it is probable that he would have triumphed over every difficulty had he not been wounded by an accidental explosion of powder, which rendered his return to England necessary. Though he was several times after this in New England, Capt. Smith never revisited Jamestown; and, notwithstanding his services, he received no reward from the home government. He died in 1631, leaving a name as honorable as any that the history of his age pre

sents.

106. With Smith's departure began a series of disasters for the colonists. They were now 490 in number; and, too indolent to raise their own supplies, they made extravagant demands of the Indians, while their overbearing conduct added insult to injury. Open quarrels arose. Small parties of whites were cut off, and a plan was laid by the Indians for a general massacre. Famine ensued. Thirty of the settlers seized a ship and sailed away as pirates; and, in six months from Smith's departure, the colony was reduced to a feeble remnant of 60, and these were on the point of perishing. This period of suffering was long remembered as "the starving time".

- On the arrival of Gates from Bermuda, so discouraging was the state of affairs that it was resolved to abandon the settlement. They had nearly reached the mouth of the river, when Lord Delaware's boat came in sight with abundant reinforcen ents and supplies. The sufferers were persuaded to return, and prosperity once more smiled on the little colony. Labor was required of all, and new forts were erected as a defence against the Indians. But hardly were the good effects of Lord Delaware's wise and energetic measures beginning to be felt, when ill health obliged him to return to England.

107. Sir Thomas Dale succeeded as governor, and further

od? What accident befell Smith? What became of him? What is said of his character? 106. With Smith's departure what commenced? How many were left in the colony? How did they conduct themselves towards the Indians? What was the consequence? Six months after Smith's departure, what was the state of the colony? Or the arrival of Gates, what resolution was formed? What prevented them from carrying it out? Describe Lord Delaware's administration. What put an end to it?

1611]

POCAHONTAS'S VISIT TO ENGLAND.

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arrivals added much to the size and strength of the colony. Several new settlements were made higher up the river. In 1611, cattle and hogs were introduced from Europe.

108. In 1613, Pocahontas, the ever true and affectionate friend of the English, was purchased by Capt. Argall, from a tribe that she was visiting, for a copper kettle. Her father refused to ransom her on the terms proposed, and prepared for war. This was averted by John Rolfe [rolf], an English planter, who offered to marry the gentle Indian girl, and instruct her in the doctrines of Christianity. The proposal was gladly accepted by Powhatan, who was ever afterwards a firm friend and ally of the English. Pocahontas, having renounced the religion of her fathers, was baptized as a Christian believer and married to Rolfe. Three years afterwards he took her to England. In London, she was an object of general interest. An apartment was allotted her in the palace, where she was visited by crowds. Among others came her old friend, Captain Smith. She had heard that he was dead; and, on seeing so unexpectedly a man bound to her heart by tender recollections, she was overcome with emotion, and buried her face in her hands to conceal her tears. When about to return to America with her husband and infant son, she suddenly died, at the age of 22. This son, Thomas, was educated by his uncle, and became a man of wealth and distinction. From him some of the leading families of Virginia derive their descent.

109. An attempt was made by the colonists in 1614 to obtain aid from Parliament, but without success; and Virginia had to rely on the exportation of tobacco as a source of revenue: even the streets of Jamestown were planted with it. Tobacco thus became the staple; and, as coin was scarce, it even passed for money.

In 1619, after several years of mismanagement and tyranny, George Yeardley [yurd'-le] became governor of Virginia.

107. Who succeeded as governor? What took place during his administration? 108. In 1613, what happened to Pocahontas? What seemed likely to be the result? How was war averted? Give an account of Pocahontas's visit to England, and meeting with Smith. At what age did she die? What became of her son? 109. In 1614, what un successful attempt was made by the colonists? On what were they obliged to rely

Within a few months after his appointment, a colonial assembly was established. It was known as "the House of Burgesses", and convened at Jamestown. This was the first representative body in America. It consisted of two members from each of the eleven boroughs into which the colony was divided.

110. Hitherto there had been but few women in the col ony; but Sir Edward San'-dys, convinced that pleasant homes were necessary to give permanence to the settlement, induced ninety young women to cross the ocean at the expense of the company; and they were soon disposed of as wives to the settlers, at the rate of 100 pounds of tobacco (worth about $75) each. The next year, sixty more were sent over, and the price of a wife rose to 150 pounds of tobacco. From 1619 to 1621, 3,500 persons found their way to Virginia. A written constitution was obtained, and trial by jury and a representative government became acknowledged rights.

Up to this time, the company had expended about $400,000 on the colony; and the result was thus far unsatisfactory, though there was a good promise for the future.

CHAPTER V.

DUTCH DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS.

111. VERRAZZANI, during his voyage in 1524 in search of a northwest passage to India, passed along the coast of New Jersey, and came near discovering the harbor of New York. He reached the adjacent islands, but was driven to sea by adverse winds; and the discovery of the Hudson River and

This same year, what What makes this body

For what was tobacco used? Who became governor in 1619? was established? What was it called? Where did it convene? worthy of particular mention? Of what did it consist? 110. How did Sandys contribute to the prosperity of the settlement? Give an account of the importation of wives. How many persons came to Virginia between 1619 and 1621? What did the colonists now obtain? How much had the company expended in colonizing Virginia? What is said of the result thus far?

111. Who, in 1524, came near discovering the Hudson? What prevented his doing