Delaware gazette and American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1837, 1832-12-14

age barge, and smaller boat proper fol the nav
| igatlon of the upper streams. He assembled the
Chickahominy with the barge as far as it could be
forced up by dnt of great labor in cutting away
trees and clearing passage. Then leaving it in
broad bay or cove, out of reach of the savages
on the banks, Captain Smith, with two other white
men, and two friendly Indians, proceeded higher
up in the smaller boat. Those who were left
meanwhile in possession of the barge, were order
ed on no account to go shore until his return.
The order was disobeyed, for he was scarcely out
Of sight and hearing when the whole of the crew
went ashore. They were near FORGETTING their
lives for their rashness. The Indians, to the
number of two or three hundred, lay in wait for
them among the woods on the bank of the river,
under the direction of Opechancanough, Sachem
Of the Pamunkies, and reputed brother of Pow
hatan. One George Cassen was taken prisoner,
and the savages soon compelled him to tell them
which way Smith had gone. They then put him
to death in the most cruel manner and continued
the pursuit.
The captain, meanwhile, little dreaming of any
accident, had gone twenty miles up the river, and
was now among the marshes at its source. Here
his pursuers came suddenly upon the two En-.
glishmen, who had hauled up their boat, and laid
down 10 sleep by fire on the dry land, (while
Smith himself went out some distance TO kill
game with his musket for supper.) The unfor-
tunate wretches we're shot full of arrows and des.
patched. The savages then pressed after
Smith aid at last overlook him. Finding him.
self beset by the multitude, he coolly bound to his
arm, with his garters, the young Indian who had
attended him guide, for bucker-{what had
become of the other, does not appear)-and re.
ceived the enemy's onset so briskly with his fire.
| arms, that he soon laid three of them dead upon
the spot, and wounded and CALLED many others SO
inns IN annrnar
him. He was himself wounded slightly in the
thigh, and had many arrows sticking in his
clothes; but he still kept the enemy at bay. His
next movement was TO endeavor to sheer off to his
boat; but, taking more notice of his foe than his
path, as he went he suddenly slipped up to his
middle in an oozy creek. Hampered as he was
in this awkward position, not an Indian dared VEN
ture near him, until, finding himself almost dead
with cold, he threw away his arms and surrender.
ed. Then drawing him out, they carried him to
the fiie where his men had been slain, carefully
chafed his benunbed limbs, and finally restored
him TO the use of them"
Con his arrival in the village, Smith was de.
tanned until the emperor, las we shall call him fol
convenience) and his train could prepare them
selves TO receive their ilustrious captive in pro-
per state and meanwhile more than two hundred
of these grim courtiers gathered about him, to
satisfy their curiosity with gazing. He was then
hailing him with tremendous shout, as he walked
in. Powhatan-a majestic and finely formed sa'
wage, with marked countenance, an air of haugh-
tiness sobeTed down into gravity by life of sixty
vears-was seated before fire, upon seat some
thing like bedstead, robe of RGropcun skins
with all the tails hanging over him. On each side
sat young wench, sixteen or eighteen years old
and along each wall of the house two rows of wo-
men in the rear, and two rows of men in 'front.'
had thair IehO, tpfoI
Many had their hair decked with the white down
Of birds. Some wore great chain of white bead:
about their necks. But no one was without orna
ment of some kind.
Soon after Smiths entrance, a female Of rank.
said to be the queen of Appomattuck, was direct
ed to bring him water to wash his hands; and
another brought bunch of feathers, to answer
the purpose of towel. Having then Toasted him,
(as he acknowledges in the best barbarous man
ner they could, a long and solemn consultation was
held to determine his fate. The decision wal
against him. The eonclave resumed their silen
gravity two great stones were brought in before
Powhatan; and Smith was dragged before them
and his head laid upon them as preparation fo
beating out his brains with clubs. The fatal wea
pons were already raised, and the savage multitude
stood silently awaiting the prisoners last moment
But Smith was not destined thus to perish. Poca
hontas, the beloved daughter of Powhatan, rushet
forward ana earnestly enueated with tears, tnat IN
victim might yet be spared. The royal savage re
ected her request and the executioners stood read
for the signal of death. She knelt down, put he
arms about Smith, and laid her head over his, dc
claring she would perish with him or save him. Tn
heart of the stern Sachem was at length melted
The decree was reversed and the prisoner wa
spared for the purpose-as the emperor explained
it-of making hachets for himself, and bells an,
beads for his daughter.
AN OTTER HUNT.