St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-11-30
HISTORICAL NOVEL In BRIEF.
Thrilling Tale Of ocahontas and
Captain John Smith Brought
Up to Date. .

Milling Tale OF Oc1hOntos ana
| Captain John Smith Brought
Up to Date. /
In the temples Of the Virginia Tor.
ests the mighty Indian king, Pow
hatan, sat on his throne melting out
his kind of justice to several pale faced
he had met on the warpath. His
bronze skin glinted and cleaned be-
meath the barbaric decorations OF
beads and feathers and fur which
adorned his magnificent person in be-
wildering bedazzlement. Surely It the
poet had seen this Charlemagne in
copper he never would have written:
$40, the poor Indian" writes William
J. Hampton, in Woman's Home Conn
panion.
At the foot of the throne, in her own
little chair of state, sat his beautiful
daughter Pocahontas. She was her
fathers pride and the hope of her
people, the dusty denizens of du-
bious domain. The sunlight, slipping
through the trembling leaves OF the
protecting trees, fell softly on her
raven locks and touched caressingly
the deeper red of her rounded cheeks.
The fierce blood Of her race was tenn
pered in her veins, and there was in
her liquid eyes that look which angels
have who hover about the beds of lit
tie children.
AS the king passed sentence upon
the helpless prisonerst before him
Pocahontas looked away to hide her
tears, and as they were removed from
the presence of the throne she pressed
her hands over her throbbing heart
and gazed appealingly up to her ia.
tier. But Powhatan, stern in his
sense of right as he saw the right
gave no heed to womanly feelings,
and his daughters silent suppliance
met no response in mercy.
The common herd being disposed Of,
the case of Capt. John Smith was
called, and the prisoner appeared be-
fore the throne. Naughty, imperious,
full of the insular insolence not yet
obsolete among Englisfmen, he stoo1
fearlessly in the presence Of Pow
hatan.
$780," said the king, .you are the
pale face chief?"
II am, your majesty" responded
Smith, trained in the customs of the
court, and remembering that king
was king in whatever soil his throne
might be planted.
"And you have come with irons that
thunder from the land beyond the
great water to take mine away from
me, who have never done you harm?'' {
said Powhatan, suppressing his rising
rage but lily.
"That's about the size Of it, maj
esty," admitted the captain, smiling
at the excellent guess the untutored
savage had made.
"You are guilty, then, on your ow9k
confession" said the king.
'From your point of view, majesty,
presume am Capt. Smith admit
ted, with polite bow.
Powhatan suppressed desire to
argue the question, and proceeded
with the business of the court.
Have you anything to say why sem
tence of death should not be pro-
upon your he asked.
'Well. yes, your majesty" replied
the captain, scratching his head as il
perplexed, II have a good deal to say;
but as you don't understand English,
and l don't speak Indian, and you 4
seem to be shy on interpreters, I don't
see any good in saying it. Proceed
with your rat-killing, majesty and
Capt. Smith made a sweeping obeis-
ance.
"Um-er," hesitated Powhatan, Il
hadn't thought Of that. However, 7
perceive that your point is well taken,
and will proceed as you suggest"
The king arose, and clutching his
great club in his hand with fifmer
grip, advanced toward the intrepid
Four ictors seized the Eng.
lishman and held his head down ON 4
sawlog. The king app
preached and drew back his club to J
strike the fatal blow. It was q mo-
ment OF intensest interest to all. Tho
silence of the sleeping forest grew
denser; the leaves on the trees quav-
cred moment and were at
rest; the birds among the branches
held their piping breaths; all
nature seemed to be suspend-
ID, intent upon the tragedy about
TO be enacted in her midst; the king
oraced himself for the effort Of his
life, and twirled his club for the blow. /
suddenly Pocahontas threw herself
between her dear father and the VIC
i'm of his wrath.
Stay, father; stay your hand!" she
'ried, grasping his club in her shapely.
'inuous arms.
what mean you, girl - he shouted.
,rying to break away.
Don't do it, father; please don't!
Put up your club, J" she pleaded, in pas
'ionate earnestness; "you do SO re-
mind me of an ordinary policemanls
)ver the face of the dusky chief
A blush Of shame was spread,
md Captain Smith was spared that day
A looked-for broken head.
Frixx1ed Beef
u