Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1897-11-26
A Reproduction Story.
THE TALE OF PoCAHoNrAs.

A Reproduction Story.
THE TALE OF PocAHoNTAs.
Once there was a little Indian girl
whose name was Pocahontas Her
father was the great Indian chief
named Powhatan. They lived in that
part of our country whichis now called
Virginia. One day some white people
came up the river in a great ship,
much larger than any canoe. They
built houses on the bank of the river,
and they did SO many wonderful things
that the Indians were filled with won-
der and were afraid of them. AT that
time there were no pleasant farms or
busy cities, nothing but swamps and
woods and lovely prairies. The In
dians watched the white men as they
began to build queer houses of logs on
the shore. Then king Powhatan grew
bold; he asked them where they came
from and what they were doing in his
country. The strangers pointed to the
east and said, "We .came from Eng
land, on the other side of the great
sea, and we are building homes for
ourselves in this country, which does
not belong to you but to our good
king James ~. 81 don't see how that
can be-" said Powhatan. ''We have
always lived in this country, and il
must be ours; yet there is room for
you also, and you are welcome.
Little by little the Indians made
friends with the white people. On some
days the Indians carried them corn,
which they sold for beads and other
trinkets, at other times they carried
them game which they had killed in
the woods. Sometimes king Powhatan
himself went to visit the little town of
white men. Once or twice the little
maiden, Pocahontas, went with him.
She was filled with wonder at what she
saw. The white men were kind to her
and gave her some presents to carry
home Soon the white men began to
treat the Indians badly. They began
to think that the red people had no
rights. But Captain Smith was kind
to them at all times and never tried to
cheat them, but lie punished his men
who had done SO. One day Smith with
two men went to explore the river and
woods. ''The white men are looking
at our land," said the Indians. "We
must not let them; we must drive them
back to their own Places" said tile
others. Accordingly, some Indians
lay in wait for Captain Smith and tile
two men. They killed the two men
and took Smith prisoner. They led
him from one Indian town to another.
They did pot know what to do with
him. At last they took him to the
great chief, Powhatan. The queen
gave him water to wash in; anolher
lady gave him a bundle of feathers to
use as a towel. After that they gave
him such a dinner he had not had for
many days. After that they talked
about what to do with him. At last it
was decided that Captain Smith should
die. Two large stones were rolled into
the room. and placed before Powhatan.
Then Smiths head was laid on one oi
them. All at once a cry was heard
among the women. and Pocohontas
ran up and threw herself at the father
feet. She asked him to spare the
white mans life. The king seemed
very cross, and did not seem to hear
her. Two tall warriors stepped for.
ward, each with heavy club in his
hand. Then Pocahontas threw herself
beside Smith. She took his head in
her arms, and said: ''You cannot kill
him without first killing me-" The
heart of the old chief was touched.
He told his warriors to lay down their
clubs. Smith was taken from the
ground, the cords were taken off his
arms and he was treated with great
kindness. 81 and my warriors shall
always be you friends, said Powhatan.
We know that Pocahontas was always
kind to the white people. Many times
she would let them know if there was
danger even at the risk of her own
life, Often when her father wanted to
make war upon them, she would say,
"they are our friends; let us live in
peace with them.' II it had not been
for Pocahontas our history would
have been different if these people
could not have stayed in Virginia.
| JULIA ERICKSON.
] Fourth Grade.