40 AINDIANS CAPTUKE SMITH PI. north-west should be followed up, in order to find a P'D. II. passage to the South Sea. Smith was superior to the CH. II. company in intelligence, but he knew the duties of a subordinate; and he therefore prepared to explore the can obey head waters of the river Chickahominy, which answeras well as ed as nearly as any one, to their description. Smith com mand. an and on 10. Powhatan, the chief of the savage confederacy the waters of the James and its tributaries, had been visited by the colonists early after their arrival His imperial residence, called from its beautiful location, Nonesuch, consisted of twelve wigwams near the 160%. Powhat- Site of Richmond. Next to him in power was his brother, Opechacanough, who was chief of the Pa Drother. munkies on the Chickahominy. Smith embarked in a barge on that river, and when he had ascended as far as possible in this manner, he left it, with the order that his party should not land till his return; and, with four attendants, he pursued his objects twenty miles farther up the river. his Indian 11. The Indians who had watched his movements, fell upon his men, took them prisoners, and obliged them to discover the track of their captain. He, in pursuit of game, soon found himself hunted by swarms of savage archers. In this extremity he bound to his capture breast, as a shield, an Indian youth, who was with nim; and then he shot three Indians, wounded others, and kept the whole party at bay. Attempting to retreat to his canoe while yet watching his foe, suddenly he sank to his middle, in an oozy creek. The savages dared not even then touch him, till, perishing with cold, he laid down his arms and surrendered. Smith dress. 12. They carried him to a fire, near which, some of his men had been killed. By his Indian guide and His ad interpreter, he then called for their chief. Opechacanough appeared, and Smith politely presented to him his pocket compass. The Indians were confounded at the motions of the fly-needle, which, on account of the 9. What did he know, and what do? 10. Whom had the colonists' visited? Where? Who was chief of the Indians on the Chickahominy? What was the beginning of Smith's adventures on that river?-11. Relate the circumstances of his capture? 3 41. mysterious glass, they could see, but could not touch, P'T. I. His treat 13. Their minds seemed to labor with the greatness of the thought, that a being so superior was in their power; and they vacillated in their opinion whether or not it was best to put him to death; and as often changed their conduct. They took him to Powhatan, thence led him round from one wondering tribe to the sava another; until, at the residence of Opecnącanough, these superstitious dwellers of the forest, employed their sorcerers or powows, for three days, to practice incantations, in order to learn, from the invisible world, whether their prisoner wished them well or ill. ges. His res 14. The decision of his fate was finally referred to Powhatan. At his residence, that majestic savage received him in state, but he condemned him to die. Two stones were brought and laid before the chief, and two savages stood with uplifted war-clubs. Smith cue by was dragged to the spot, and his head placed upon the Pocahon stones. Pocahontas, a young Indian girl, rushed forward, and with cries and tears begged of Powhatan, her father, to spare him. He refused. She then ran and knelt beside the victim, and laid her young head upon his. Then the stern savage relented, and Smith was saved. tas. brought 15. Smith having now learned much of the Indians, their country, modes of warfare, dispositions and lan- 1608 guage, and having also by his great address and honor- Good able bearing, won their affection and confidence, his captivity proved, under Divine Providence, a means of establishing the colony. 16. During his absence, however, there had been 12 Of the manner in which he gave the natives a great idea of his knowledge?-13. Of their thoughts and behaviour towards him ?--14. Relate the circumstance of his sentence and doliverance? -15. What view may be taken of Smith's captivity? from evil. 42 NEWPORT ARRIVES-BAD SETTLERS. PT. I. disorder and misrule; and when he returned to James PD. II. town he found only thirty-eight persons remaining CH. III. The spirits of the people were broken; and all, filled with despondency, were anxious to leave a country so State of inhospitable. He prevailed upon them, however, partly by force and partly by persuasion, to remain till the next year; when Newport arriving from England, with some supplies and one hundred and twenty emigrants, hope again revived. the colony, 1608. Smith 17. During the year 1608, Captain Smith explored the Chesapeake bay to its head, discovered its fine streams, and gained new information concerning the native productions and inhabitants of the country. In explores an excursion which he made up the Rappahannock, the Ches he had a skirmish with the Mannahoacks, a tribe deapeake. scended from the Delawares, and took prisoner a brother of one of their chiefs. From him he first heard of the Iroquois, who, the Indian told him, "dwelt on a great water to the north, had a great many boats, and so many men, that they waged war with all the rest of the world." ion and 18. Immediately on his return he was chosen president of the council. He found the recent emigrants "goldsmiths and gentlemen." But he promptly gave His decis them their choice, to labor for six hours a day, or have wisdom. nothing to eat. He represented to the council in England that they should send laborers; that the search of gold should be abandoned, and that "nothing should be expected except by labor." Early settlement of Virginia-continued. 1. THE London Company had gradually become enlarged by accessions of men of influence, some of 16. What had happened during Smith's absence? What was the effect of his return?-17. What did Smith explore? What learn from report? 18. What happened on his return? What course did he take? What was his advice sent to England! CHAPTER III.-1. What had been the progress of the London Company? SIR THOMAS GATES SHIP-WRECKED. 43 whom were of the nobility and gentry. Without at PT.I. all consulting the wishes, and against the interests of P'D. II. the colony, they now obtained from the king a new сH.. charter, by which they were to hold the lands in fee; Governand all the powers of government formerly reserved ment to the crown, were hereafter to vest in the company. worse. The council in England, chosen by the stockholders, was to appoint a governor, who was to rule the colonists with absolute sway. made five hun 2. The company now collected five hundred adven- Newport turers, many of whom were men of desperate fortunes sent with and abandoned characters. They appointed as gover-dred. nor for life the excellent Lord Delaware, and freighted with the emigrants nine ships, of which Captain Newport was to take the command. 3. As Lord Delaware was not ready to embark with the fleet, the admiral, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, were empowered to govern the colony until his arrival. Newport took into his own ship Gates and Somers. Arriving at the Bermudas, a terrible storm separated the fleet. The admiral's vessel was stranded on the rocky shores of Bermuda; a small ketch perished, and only seven of the vessels reached Jamestown. Wreck ed at Bermuda Smith 4. Smith now found himself without authority; and the three persons who alone possessed it, were per- 1699. haps in the depths of the ocean. His genius, however, sustained him; and he compelled to submission head. the disorderly gallants who had just arrived. yet at the 5. Pocahontas repeatedly saved the life of Smith, and preserved this earliest English settlement from destruction. In the various fortunes of the colony, she Native was its unchanging friend, often coming with her at- kindness tendants to bring baskets of provisions in times of scarcity, and sometimes giving notice of hostile designs. 1. What did they obtain? What was the character of the instrument obtained?-2. What was the number, and what was the description of the persons sent out? What office had Lord Delaware? What Capt. Newport?-3. What was the fate of Newport's ship? What persons had he on board? -4. As neither the governor, or his substitutes were there, what was the position and conduct of Sinith? —5. What is said of Pocahontas? P'T. I. 6. At length, an accidental explosion of gunpowder P'D. II. so injured Smith, that no medical skill there, could CH. I properly manage his case; and delegating his au Smith thority to George Percy, he returned to England.leaves After his departure, all subordination and industry Virginia ceased among the colonists. 7. The Indians, no longer afraid, harassed them, and withheld their customary supplies. Their stores were soon exhausted. The domestic animals were Great devoured; and, in two instances, the act was perpescarcity and die trated of feeding on human flesh. Smith left four hundred and ninety persons. In six months, anarchy and vice had reduced the number to sixty; and those so feeble and forlorn, that in ten days more they must all have perished. tress. 8. In the meantime, Sir Thomas Gates and his companions, who had been wrecked on the rocks of Bermuda, had found there the means to construct a vessel; and now approaching Jamestown, they anticipated a happy meeting with their friends. But, instead of this, but few remained, and they wasted to skeletons. Gates Departwas obliged to yield to the universal cry, desert the are of the settlement, and re-embark with the whole colony. They colony. departed in the morning, and falling down the stream with the tide, they descried, at evening, near the river's mouth, three ships. Lord Delaware, their paternal 1610. governor had arrived with supplies; and their hearts were cheered with the consoling thought that God had delivered them. And then the residue returned, a chastened, and a better people. June, its re turn. 9. The colony again became flourishing; but in 1611. March, 1611, the governor's health declined, and he May 10, was obliged to leave the country. On the departure as Dale of Lord Delaware, Percy was again at the head of af Sir Tho arrives. fairs, until the arrival of Sir Thomas Dale, in May.' Although good order and industry now prevailed, yet 6. What now happened to Smith? What was the conduct of the colonists?-7. What consequences ensued?-8. Relate the circumstances of Sir Thomas Gates arrival? What was he obliged to do? Where were the people, and what their feelings on Lord Delaware's arrival? -9. How long did Lord Delaware remain in the country? |
