The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-26

,!''n just 'oucned the Dase OF the rock. His
little son seems to be warning him against
venturlng among the savages, while his wife,
with eyes upturned, places her trust in heav-
en-, and restraints the anxious child. An
Indian, seated on the rock, holds an ear of
corn in his hand, and presents it to the ad.
vancing pilgrim as III emblem of peace and
! friendship. The boat has inscribed on it
the figures 1890" commemorative of the
era OF this great event, which has left its
impress and its influence on all succeeding
time.
i. Captain iSmiM und P0cahontas.-
Over the Western door OF the Rotunda is
beautifully sculpturel, bv Capalano, the
rescue Of Captain John Smith Ly the l,e-
role yet gentle pocahontas. Smith is rep.
resented as laying at the feet of King Pow
haitian, with his head and the upper part of
his body somewhat raised, as it watching
the savage, armed with raised club, in front
OF him; another Indian stands behind po-
caliontas, also with his war club raised; the
Young pocallontas, only ? years Of age, in
; kncclng posture, leans forward with her
arms and part of her body over Smith, as if
to shield linn from the meditatcd murlcrous
blow OF the threatening savage, and at the
same time, imploring her royal father to
spare the haplcss captive; willie Powlattau,
with Indian crown on his head, and with
other regalia, sits on the Judgment seat,
between the two executors, with one hand
raised, us if to forbid the death stroke. in
gentle yielding to his daughters cntreaties,
tears and agonies. Thus Pocahontas and
humanity trinmphcd, and she was rewarded
for her benevolcnce by being soon converted
to the Christian faith, and received as a
lamb into the fold of the Good Shepherd.
In Goodricll's or Peter Pareys Pictorial
History Of the United States, his version of
the story differs widely from the represent
alton in the sculpture, in making Powhat-
tan himself the intended executor, Instead
Of his attendants.
After a" account of the capture and
wounding of Smith, and the passing Of the
se:. .tence of death OH him, it is there said -
1.-Two large stones were brought in and
laid at the feet Of tho savage King, and
Smiths head Was place, on one Of them,
while the savagcs gathered around to wit
ness the execution. powhat,an's club was
raised, and every one was waiting, in silent
suspense, to see it fall on the victim"
AT this critical moment, l'ocahontas,
the eldest of the girls, aud tho most beloved
by the King, now scarcely twelve Years of
age, rushed forward and threw herself with
Il Sllrck on Smith. Her hair was loose,
and her eyes wild AMI streaming with tears.
She raised her hands to her father, and be-
sought him, with all the powers of Iulian
cloqnence, to spare his captive"
"Powhattan, though little used to pity,
could not resist her entreatics and tears
He. dropped his uplifted club, and looked
round upon his warriors, as if to gather
new courage. They, too, were touched with
pity, though they were savages. At last he
raised his daughter, and promised her to
spare the prisoners life. IIc was According
ly spared, and the very next day, conducted
10y Il guard Of twelve men to jamestown"
How melancholy the reflection that one
SO lovely aud so humane, such an angel Of
! charity as Pocal,onlas was; and that having
become Christian convert, and the wife OF
! and English husband and matron of an
English family, she should not have found
that peace on earth, which she so richly
deserved. "Slic became" says Goodrich,
~ faithful wife and an exemplary and pious
mother" In the year 1915, she accompa-
MED her husband to England, and became
unhappy there at unexpected neglect, and
cool treatment, OH account Of her color,
when she expected princely reception.
Even Smith (alas for poor humanity y
proved temporarily ungratcfu, but soon re-
pented Of his sin aud made reparation for
it. Goodrich records as follows:-
"Caplain Smith, who was in London, at
the time Of her arrival, called to see her,
but, on account of her color, was little re.
served in his manner OF treatment. This
added to the intensity Of her feeling, and
slIe wept like child. Captain Smith .,in-
quired the cause Of her grief. "Did / not
save thy life," said she, "in Americaa When
| was torn from the arms Of my father, and
conducted amongst thy friends, diist thou
not promise to be father 70 me2 Ddst
thou not say that, i'll went into thy coun-
try, thou wouldst be my father, and Ishould
be thy daughter Thou hast deceived me"
Captain Smith could not resist such elo-
quence. He introduced her to many fami-
lies Of respectability, and did all he could,
while she remained in England, to make
her happy, except that he did not venture
to bring her before the King. She fell q
victim to the united influence Of grief and
the climate, and died at the age Of twenty
two, MS she was about TO embark for Amer
ica." .3 4'H a~IaLg ,,.t- .l.
Bot her reward was on high. The neg
lected and tawny Indian matron, while yet
lin early prime, winged her fight from earth
to Heaven, and became bright seraph in