The daughter of Virginia Dare

f

Sibrarij of
(Il]e Unirersiti} of Hortl] (Carolina

C O L L K C TI O X O F

NORTH CAROLINIANA

K N D O W ED BY

JOHN SPRUNT HILL
of the class of 1889

UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL

00017475411

^*5

This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS
ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE
CENTS a day thereafter. It was taken out on
Lhe day indicated below:

/

The Daughter of Virginia Dare

The
Daughter of Virginia Dare

By

Mary Virginia Wall

New York and Washington

The Neale Publishing Company

1908

Copyright, 1908, by
Mary Virginia Wall

. TO

My Mother, Virginia

AND

My Grandmother, England

THE DAUGHTER OF VIRGINIA

DARE

PRELUDE

The sunbeams were playing hide and
seek with the ripples aronnd the prows
of three small vessels lying at anchor in the
harbor of Portsmouth. Their decks were
crowded with the colonists going to seek
a home on the soil of Virginia. On the
wharf all was bustle and confusion. The
songs of the sailors loading the vessels
with the goods of the voyagers mingled with
the whip and snap of the sails as they were
given to the breeze.

At last the creaking of the capstan as
the anchors were hoisted on board sounded
the warning note of departure. Leading the
diminutive fleet was the good ship Admiral,
having as her master Simon Ferdinando.
Closely in her wake followed a pinnace and
a flyboat, and from the masthead of all
three fluttered the English flag. They were
not to leave England, however, until they
had stopped at two of her ports on their
way out.

10 The Daughter of Virginia Dare.

For eight days they tarried at the Isle
of Wight, and two more in the harbor
of Plymouth. As they sailed out of
this quaint old harbor the balmy air of
May wafted the fragrant farewell of the
hawthorn blossoms even to the water's
edge.

**How hard it is to bid farewell to home
and friends and turn my face to this un-
known land/' said Eleanor Dare to herself
as she stood on the deck of the Admiral.
** There is a strange fear welling up in my
heart as if some unknown shadow were
falling upon us.

**But I must not even breathe such a
thought to my husband, it would dampen
the hope of home and fortune which is
buo^dng him up. I must rather cheer and
encourage him ; I must hide the heart sick-
ness, and leave our future in the hands of
God.''

Fainter and fainter grew the outlines
of old England's shores, until only the
dim bluffs of Cornwall, like a mirage,
lay on the horizon. As Eleanor Dare
strained her eyes to catch the last glimpse
before the curve of the earth hid them from
view, her husband drew her to him.

^^Dear heart, turn your eyes to the west,
to home and happiness. See how the sun

The Daughter of Virginia Dare. 11

is making a pathway of light for our ship.
Is it not a good omen?"

She smiled up into his face bravely and
was rewarded by a look of love and
reverence.

^'You know, my husband, that my home
is in your heart."

Skirting southward for seven days the
little fleet came into the Bay of Portugal,
where they took on a supply of fresh water
for the long journey to the West Indies.
Ferdinando, the master of the Admiral,
gave secret orders to the captains of his
ship and the jDinnace to set sail at the com-
ing of night. No such commands reached
the little flyboat. Basely deserting her, the
Admiral turned his prows to the south-
west.

For two long months the frail ships
tossed on the troubled waters of the Atlan-
tic. Only the sullen swish of the waves and
the scream of the seagull broke in on
Eleanor Dare's reveries.

Fragrant June was waning, when she
saw the waving palms and orange groves
of Santa Cruz rising beyond the foam-
capped billows. Just before the ships
reached this island of gorgeous bloom from
the lookout at the masthead rang the cry,
' ^ Sail ho ! " and, ploughing her way through

12 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

the choppy sea, there came the courageous
little flyboat. For, undaunted by ignorance
of the trackless waste and by the base
desertion of the admiral in command, she
had pluckily followed her consort.

No sooner had they landed than the
merry laughter and joyous shouts of the
little children filled the air as they chased
the crimson and gold butterflies sipping
hone}^ from the orchids which hung from
the tall fern trees. No cares or longing
troubled their light hearts, but their parents
were eager to reach their new home, so
the sails were again spread.

tF tt tP

July had numbered twenty-two days
when the vessels came in sight of a long
fringe of islands guarded by dangerous
reefs. The white foam of the breakers
tossed high in the air and the moan of the
surf filled the children with fear.

Down rattled the anchor of the Admiral,
and the sails were close-furled, as the pin-
nace came alongside to take the colony
through the dangerous entry to Roanoke
Island. Safely passing through the hungry
mouth of Trinity harbor, they glided into
the quiet waters of the Occam.

Would the fifteen men left by Sir Richard

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 13

Greenville come to meet them? A loud
halloo brought back no answering hail.

''We must search for them/^ said Gov-
ernor White. ''Perhaps they are farther
inland. ' '

As the pinnace grounded her nose the
Anglican priest stepped on the land, bear-
ing aloft the Sign of Redemption. Around
his feet were grouped the children, their
tiny hands clasped together, and guarded
by a circle of kneeling men and women.
Deep and fervent was the thanksgiving
prayer, and clear and sweet came the chant
of the amen.

Rising from their knees they eagerly
explored the land around them. A living
landscape, vivid and beautiful, lay spread
before their eyes. Great yellow pines like
the masts of ships towered above them.
Cedars, the rivals of Lebanon, mingled
their branches with the live oak, tulip, and
walnut trees, while closer to mother earth
clung the sassafras and witch hazel. Scup-
pernong grapes flung their vines, loaded
with ripening fruit, from limb to limb of
the copper beeches and bathed their trailing
branches in the brinv waters of the Oc-
cam.

Dotted all around were the log-cabins
left by the previous settlers. Melon vines

14 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

with luscious fruits festooned the windows
and carpeted the floors, and in their open
doors stood the startled deer poised for
flight. The gardens were overgrown in
weeds and fences were broken down. The
little children ran hither and thither chas-
ing the '*Lazy Lawrence'' as it danced in
the sun, and over all hung the langorous air
of July, steeped in the fragrance of blos-
soming jasmine and magnolia.

Soon the bright blades of the axes made
flashes in the sun, and down came the pine,
filling the air with the perfume of its
crushed needles. Manv another cabin was
added to the ''City of Raleigh."

Meanwhile, a party headed by Governor
White had searched the island for the miss-
ing men. Far in the heart of the forest
they came upon their bleaching skeletons,
and they decently interred them.

Eleanor Dare chose the cedar cabin,
which Lane had used, as a home for her-
self and her husband, and she occupied her-
self busily in transforming its interior into
a restful abiding-place; in one corner was
a mahogany chest with shining brass
handles ; over the wide fireplace hung a bit
of landscape of her girlhood's home; and
the pewter plates upon the dresser reflected
the dancing flames leaping up the chimney.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 15

In the center of the room stood a table of
English oak.

One evening the table was spread for the
evening meal, and now and then Eleanor
Dare paused at the window to watch the
swaying of the wonderful gray moss drap-
ing the mighty live-oaks.

As she bent over the fire stirring the con-
tents of a copper kettle hanging on the
crane, her husband entered and gently
chided her for too much exertion.

^ ^ Come rest beside me on the settle, dear
heart, and let us talk of the future. Soon
your tender hands will have new duties to
perform, '' and sitting side by side they
talked together as the twilight shadows fell.

* * *

In the hush of the August morn, just
as the mocking-birds chanted ^'The Crea-
tion,'' a tiny babe— a babe with Eleanor's
eyes— nestled in the hollow of Eleanor
Dare's arm. Her husband bending over
her mingled his kisses with the Magnificat
breathing on her lips, and soon came the
women of the colony to inciuire after
mother and child and offer their congratu-
lations to the happy father.

Little children, peeping in at the door of

16 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

the cabin, shyly laid their offering of red
clover and honeysuckle upon the sill. Many
were the questions they asked of the smiling
father of the new-born babe.

''Is it a boy or a girl/' asked Ambrose
Viccars.

''I'm glad it is a girl," said tiny Robert
Ellis. "There will be somebody to play
with me. Can she talk and eat? How soon
will she be able to play Puss in Corner 1 ' '

Seven days had the little babe lain on
her mother's breast, and on the eighth day
she was to be christened. The Sunday sun
shed its gorgeous rays over the simple
church, where the priest, clad in surplice
and stole, awaited her coming. With the
babe went Manteo of the Croatans, the
faithful friend of the English, for he too
was to receive baptism as Sir Walter
Raleigh had commanded.

Hither had come the men of the colony
clad in brightly hued doublet and hose,
their wives and sisters wearing gowns
with long pointed stomachers and high
standing ruffs. Near the door was Win-
ginia and his Catawbas, their long scalp-
locks decorated with the feathers of the
eagle. Grouped around the white-robed
pastor stood Governor White, Roger Bailey
and Joyce Archer, sponsors for Manteo.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 17

Behind them was Ananias Dare holding his
little daughter.

Rising from his knees with the conse-
crated drops still glistening on his brow,
Manteo turned to Dare and said:

''I too am a* follower of the God of the
English. The totem of His tribe is tattooed
on my brow. Let me hold the little pale
face to be received into the tribe. '^

^ ' Joyfully will I give her into your keep-
ing/' replied her father. ^^She shall be
as your daughter, ' ' and he placed the babe
in his arms.

Then came the sonorous voice of the
priest :

^^ Virginia, I baptize thee in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holv

ft/

Ghost. We receive this child inta the con-
gregation of Christ 's flock, and do sign her
with the sign of the cross, in token that
hereafter she shall not be ashamed to own
Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under
His banner against sin, the world, and the
devil, and to continue Christ's faithful
soldier and servant unto her life's end.
Amen. ' '

Then reverently he gave her back into
the Indian's keeping.

Forth stalked Manteo into the sunlight
with the little Virginia held close in his

18 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

armSj and went straightway to the bedside
of Eleanor Dare.

^^I have brought yon the little papoose.
The Great Spirit has bound us together,
and dear shall she be to Manteo as the
ruddy drops of his'hearf

* * *

But all was not well with the ' * City of
Raleigh.'' Food and supplies which the
country did not as yet produce were needed.
Some one must go back to the mother
country for them. When it came to select-
ing a proper person no one wished to go.
One and all they urged Grovernor \A^ite
to go as the one most fitting to represent
their needs, to take the task upon himself.
He too was unwilling to leave.

* ^ Men will say that with fair words I have
enticed you to this land, and now in your
need desert you and leave you to face the
the enmity of the Indians."

But the pleadings of the colony finally
prevailed, and with a heavy heart he con-
sented to go.

*^Keep strict watch' and ward while I
am gone. I do not like the sullen look of
Winginia and his Catawbas. It is but a
few weeks since George Howe's mangled
body was found some two miles distant.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 19

Winginia took his life in revenge of the
cruel treatment of Ealph Lane's men. If
you abandon this settlement, as we have
purposed doing, carve the name of your
destination upon a tree or post. If danger
threatens, place a cross above the name/'

He kissed his daughter, and taking the
little Virginia in his arms, gave the child
his blessing.

Standing on the beach with her baby at
her breast, Eleanor Dare waved a last f are>
well to the father whom she was never to
see again.

^* 'TF 'fr

After a voyage beset with one accident
after another. Governor White arrived in
England, only to find himself caught in the
maelstrom of war.

Under Her Sovereign Majesty Elizabeth,
England was rising to a position where she
would soon be a formidable rival to the
countries of Europe. Her ships had pene-
trated to the Wliite Sea of Northern Russia ;
the dusky tribes of Guinea traveled many
miles through the tropical forests of the
Soudan to sell their ivory and gold to the
trading vessels of England. Antwerp and
Bruges merchants settled in London, there-
by transferring much of the trade of India
and the Far East from Flanders to Eng-

20 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

land; and Sir Francis Drake had circum-
navigated the globe.

Not only had commercial enterprise filled
the coffers of Elizabeth, but the nntilled
recesses of men's minds were beginning to
flower again.

Sir Philip Sidney had enriched the world
with his Arcadia, and immortal sonnets.
Edmund Spenser was fighting out the battle
between good and evil in his Faerie Queen,
and Francis Bacon was delving into the
secrets of nature.

Behind the fame of commercial enter-
prise and the glory of the Literary Renais-
sance loomed the struggle with Philip of
Spain. He was burning with the desire to
crush the power of Elizabeth and to revenge
the death of Mary Queen of Scots. Already
the Spanish Armada was hovering oif the
coasts of England.

Sir Walter Raleigh tried ineffectually to
obtain ships for Governor White, and even
succeeded in fitting out two which were
later seized and impressed into service.
Every bark and pinnace was needed to keep
Philip and the Inquisition out of England.
No one had time to remember the colonists
shut away in Virginia, for all were watch-
ing Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter
Raleigh scuttle the Spanish galleons.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 21

About a month after Governor White
sailed away a wasting sickness broke out
among the colonists in Virginia. The
fields lay untilled and the corn and vege-
tables withered up under the hot breath
of the sun. No drop of water fell to cool
the parched earth; daily the store of food
dwindled away.

Graunt starvation stalked through the
island, and in his footsteps crept Winginia
and his Catawbas.

At length Eleanor Dare's husband fell
ill and lay dying.

"0 dear heart, my soul is filled with
anguish when I think of leaving you and
the child, ' ' he moaned. ^ ^ Wlio will protect
my defenceless ones ! Look again from the
window. Is there no sail in sight? Noth-
ing! And my strength is ebbing fast. Put
the little one beside me that I may kiss
her. ' '

^^My husband, let us put our trust in
God, and help me say, ' Though He slay me,
yet I will trust him. ' It will be but a little
while before Virginia and I will join you.
There is no ending to our love. Can you
hear me, dear one ! ' ' Then came a cry :

^'0 my Father, the light has gone out of
his eyes and his lips are dumb ! ' '

Sinking beside his body, she swooned

22

The Daughter of Virginia Dare-

away, while the wonderfilled eyes of baby
Virginia gazed long and gravely on the
pallid face of her dead father.

Regaining consciousness, Eleanor feebly
raised herself and tried to perform the last
duties for her dead. Through the long
night that followed she watched by his side.
Lovingly and gently she talked to him of
the happy past, caressed his cold face, and
smoothed back the hair lying upon his brow.

^'No priest is left, dear, to bless you as
you go on your long journey, but you shall
not lack. Faithful in life, I shall be faitli-
ful in death. The pitying Father will give
me strength for this last duty. Soon we
shall be together again, even as we now
are in spirit.''

On the following day the body of her
husband was laid to rest and Eleanor, with
unearthly calm, read the burial service.

#

Day after day passed and few were left
to answer the roll call. Only one hope lay
between the colonists and starvation. Per-
haps the Croatans, their faithful friends,
had some corn left and would share it with
them. Manteo would go and ask for food.

As the sickly sun sank to rest on the
colonists crawled to the beach and turned

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 23

fourth day after Manteo^s departure, the
their faces to the south to watch for his
coming.

Presently his canoe rounded a bend in the
stream. Fear gripped their hearts as they
watched his bowed form. Every now and
then his paddle churned the water into
foam, and then relapsed into idleness. As
his canoe touched the beach they saw that
it was empty.

Stepping on the shore he paused before
them. Then fell an awful silence as they
looked upon his face. In that face Chris-
tianity and primeval passion were waging
deadly warfare. The zigzag lightning shot
from his eyes, and his voice was as the mut-
tering thunder dying away in the distance.
Finally he spoke:

"Listen, O brother of the Rising Sun,

To the woeful tale of Manteo.

Down the sparkling waters of the Occam

Leaped the bounding canoe ;

All night the paddles made music

On this side and on that ;

Joy sang in the breast of the 'real man'

As he thought of the corn for the pale face.

The smiling island of Croatan

Beckoned him onward and onward;

Nearer and nearer came Manteo

^To the home of his tribe and his father.

Why curled not the serpent of smoke

Up from the wigwam of bark?

24 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Why came not his brethren to greet him
As he stepped on the sandy shore?
The leaping fire of fear
Burnt to ashes on his lips.
There the moccasin of Winginia
Had left its picture in the sand.
In the heart of the sheltered island
Lay the speechless lips of his people.
No more will the shout of the Croatans
Rock the somber leaves of the cedars.
Only Manteo is left as an echo
Of all their greatness and glory."

No moan from the colonists answered
the lament of Manteo. They had drunk to
the dregs of the cup of sorrow. Eyes in
which the light of hope had been frozen
into stony despair gazed out upon the east-
ern horizon, but no sail broke the blank
expanse of water.

* * ^

Night had put on her robe of black vel-
vet and the stars had embroidered it in
arabesques of silver, when Eleanor Dare
laid her head on her pillow and drew Vir-
ginia to her breast.

Soon the hamlet was hushed in sleep;
only the booming waves and the step of
the starving sentinel broke the stillness.
Exhausted, he finally sank to the ground
and sleep overpowered him.

Then long shadows flitted from tree to

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 25

tree, and on the breath of the night rose
the death-cry of the Catawbas. Bearded
men fell like corn before the sickle and the
agonized cry of the women was crushed
in their throats. Flames from the burning
cabins threw the ghastly scene into bold
relief.

Eleanor's cabin was untouched as yet by
the flames. In its door stood Manteo, fight-
ing for her life and that of the child, when
swift as a swallow came the arrow of Win-
ginia and sucked the lifeblood from his
loval heart.

^' Spare the squaw and her papoose,"
said Winginia. '^They shall be slaves in
memory of the wrong done us in the past.
We will take them to Croatan, our con-
quered island. Bind the squaw to the live
oak yonder and place the papoose upon her
lap. We will sleep until the daylight
comes."

Through the rest of the night Eleanor
Dare worked desperately, and succeeded
finally in loosening the thongs enough
to free one hand and slightly twist her
body.

In the cold gray of the morning she took
a knife from her pocket, and low down on
the trunk of the oak carved the word
^'Croatoan" in Eoman letters. Just as

26 The Daughter of Virginia Dare.

she raised her hand to add the cross, Win-
ginia stood over her.

*^Hold thy hand, thou pale-face squaw!
Darest thou call down the anger of Okee
upon usT' and he sank his tomahawk into

her brain.

* * *

Then rose the wail of the only English
being upon American soil, the cry of the
little Virginia. The echoes took up the
sound and sent it reverberating from the
flowery banks of Roanoke to the ice-bound
shores of Nova Scotia, and from the
rounded tops of the Appalachians to the
beetling crags of the Rockies.

'^Thou too shall follow thy kindred,''
said Winginia, and again the tomahawk was
raised aloft.

A smile broke through the April tears
upon the baby's cheek as she held out her
wasted arms to him. Slowly the tomahawk
sank to the ground. The angel of God
stayed the hand of the destroyer. Bending,
he lifted the baby from the groimd.

Soon the scooped paddles sent the canoes
swiftly down to Croatan. Only the waves
were left to chant a requiem over the ^ ' City
of the Dead."

^* "T^ "W

Three years had passed when Governor

The Daughter of Virginia Dare, 27

White came again to Roanoke to seek his
daughter and her child. As the boat
neared the shore he saw a colmnn of smoke
rising above the trees on the north end of
the island, some distance away from the
settlement of the colonists. His heart beat
joyfully as he pictured the meeting with

his loved ones.

4^ # #

Quickly landing, he made for the place
where he had seen the smoke, but no one
was there. A few smoldering embers (left
by some Indians who had fled on hearing
the booming of the cannon on the Admiral)
sputtered and fmned.

^ ^ Sound a signal blast upon the trumpet, '"^
said White to his men.

Over the stillness rang out the clarion
notes, but no answering shout came back.

'^Eleanor!" called her father in plead-
ing accents. ^^El-e-a-nor!'' answered the
hills in melancholv reiteration.

^^As we tramp down to the settlement
we will sing some of the old English songs.
Perhaps they will reach their hearts.'^

Weary and footsore they continued their
search, raising their voices at intervals in
some sweet old English song they had sung
in childhood.

At length they arrived at the ^^City of

28 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Raleigh." Nature, abhorring disfigure-
ment, had brought down sand from the
mainland and covered the charred remains
of the colonists, and had painted the ground
in great purple violets and crimson poppies,
whose roots sucked sustenance from the
noble and brave ones sleeping below.

Hunting for some clew, the despairing
father came upon the name which his
daughter had carved upon the oak. Stand-
ing in the violets above her, he deciphered
the word ^'Croatoan'' low down upon its
trunk.

^'God be praised, they are alive!" he
said joyfully. '^Doubtless they have gone
with Manteo to his home in Croatan. On
the morrow we will seek them there. My
heart gives thanks, for no cross is carved
above the name. Now we must hasten to
embark, for the clouds are banking up and
foul weather will soon be upon us. ' '

All night the storm raged, tearing the
anchors from their hold and beating the
ships out to sea. Having been unable to
bring casks of fresh water aboard on
account of the gale, and food supplies run-
ning low, the voyagers determined to make
for the island of St. John, and when prop-
erly provisioned, come again to Croatan.

After a perilous voyage they arrived at

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 29

the island of St. George, where the dis-
heartened sailors, wearied out by the loss
of some of their men, and lacking food,
refused to brave the perilous reefs around
Croatan again, and insisted on sailing for
England. AVhite's pleadings were stub-
bornly resisted. He was forced to give in
and they sailed for England.

Meanwhile, what had become of little
Virginia whom Winginia had taken cap-
tive?

Carried to conquered Croatan, she was
placed in the keeping of the women. What
a strange little one had been brought to
them to mother! Baby ringlets of sunny
brown, skin like the petals of a lily formed
a frame out of which looked eyes like pools
of water on a cloudy day when the shadows
drift over them. Her appealing eyes and
tender baby ways wound themselves around
the heartstrings of the squaws, and they
vied with each other in making dainty
moccasins for her little pink feet. Daily
she Was bathed in the cold waters of the
sound and her body smeared in paints and
ointment. Outwardly she became an Indian
girl, the Water Lily of the Catawbas.

Every year, as winter came on, the

'"^O The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Catawbas journeyed back to Dismongue-
peuc, their home on the mainland west of
the island of Roanoke.

Here and there flitted the Virginia Water
Lily, now watching the men burn out the
poj)lar logs for canoes and bend the witch
hazel branches into bows, now searching for
flint stones to be sharpened into arrow
heads. She talks with the birds of the for-
ests and with the cranes by the water
side. She knew the secret of the plants
with healing in their leaves.

Day by day her influence over the tribe
grew stronger. Did she possess some invis-
ible power! Her voice alone could soothe
the savage outbursts of Winginia's wrath
and cause him to spare the culprit.

It was written in the book of destinv
that she should repay the debt of life she
owed Winginia.

He had fallen upon the Tuscaroras, hop-
ing to exterminate them as he had done the
Croatans, but this time the fortunes of war
were against him. His warriors came back
bringing their chief grievously wounded by
a poisoned arrow. They laid him in his
house of poles and bark, and the medicine
men in all their hideous paint and feathers
came to chant their incantations.

The tender heart of the Virginia Water

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 31

Lily ached to see the stoical Wingiuia suf-
fer. Kneeling by his side, she bared the
wound, and placing her soft lips upon it,
sucked the poison out. Soon health and
strength returned to him.

Day by day she roved the forest ; but she
loved best the springtime when the Cataw-
bas went to Croatan for the herring fishing.
Her nimble fingers sharpened the poles
that were to spear the gleaming herring, or
fashioned the weirs of rushes to catch the
fish.

For hours she would sit on the beach and
gaze across the vast waste of waters. Then
a longing for something she could not
understand caused her breast to heave and
sink, but no distinct recollection of mother
or father remained to her. Sometimes a
voice crooning a few notes of melody would
float across her memory but it was gone in
an instant.

Twelve times she had seen the Indian
maidens hunt for the red ear amona: the
corn. A blush mantled her cheek when she
thought that at the next harvest she too
would join in the search.

Already the eyes of the bravest youth
among the warriors had marked her for
his own. Many a time he had given her the
seat next the fire when the icicles rattled

32 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

on the branches of the trees, and she felt
that she would gladv go to the wigwam
of Ensinore the Swift One.

•^ tP ^r

Spring had come ! The sap was rising
in the veins of the trees and the blood of
the Indian answered the call. It was time
to be on the warpath.

Far away on the Powhatan River the
king of the Powhatans and his warriors
w|ere stringing their bows, sharpening their
arrows, and making their canoes ready for
a raid upon Winginia at his summer home
on Croatan. *•

^^ Twenty warriors to each canoe,'' was
the command of Powhatan.

At lenorth all was readv. Swiftlv the
canoes glided down the Powhatan, out into
the waters of the Chesapeake, and then,
skirting down the coast, fell upon the
Catawbas.

Fiercely and long the warfare raged.
Finally the tribe of Powhatan gained the
day, and carried off the Virginia Water
Lily as a captive, over the dead bod}^ of
Ensinore.

Many of Powhatan's warriors were
worsted in their encounter with the Cataw-
bas, so they proceeded only as far as
Roanoke Island, where thev halted for rest.

The Daughter o£ Virginia Dare 33

The breezes were soft from the ocean,
there were many deer in the forest, and
Powhatan lingered there twelve months.

As he looked upon the Virginia Water
Lily she was fairer than all the maidens
of his tribe and a fit mate for the grave
and stately Powhatan, then just in his man-
hood's prime. But no entreaties or com-
mands could win a smile from her, for the
heart of the Water Lily lay in the grave
of Ensinore.

As the twelfth moon rounded out its last
quarter the Water Lily folded up her petals
and sank to sleep, leaving to Powhatan a
little daughter.

A grave was dug under an old and
gnarled tree bearing the word ^^Croatoan'^
carved upon its trunk, and Virginia Dare's
body rested beside the bones of her mother
Eleanor.

All the tenderness of Powhatan's nature
had been lavished upon the unresponsive
Water Lily, so the little daughter she had
left him became dearer to him than all of
his children.

^'Call her Pocahontas," he said. '^She
shall be as a bright stream between two
hills. Nations yet unborn and strangers to
our tribe shall hail her as ^The Blessed
Pocahontas.' "

CHAPTER I.

As night descends on the tragedy of
Roanoke the sun is rising on the land of
England.

The victory over the Spanish Armada
has given the English a sense of security
which they have never felt before. They
have become a composite nation, not only
able to defend their country in time of
invasion, but able to seek out Philip in his
Spanish home, plunder his towns and
ships, and also carry on the subjugation of
Ireland which Henry II. had begun.

The golden flower of literature has burst
into full bloom. Grammar schools for the
education of the masses are rising all over
the land. Universities are diligently study-
ing the classics of Italy and Greece. Edu-
cation is no more confined to the nobility,
and the genius of the ^^poor scholar'' is
giving England her greatest son, Shake-
speare. His wonderful mind is raising to
the height of splendor the English drama
begun by Sackville and Marlowe. Bacon
is proclaiming the Philosophy of Science
and Gilbert is investigating the mysteries of
electricity.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 35

Action, action is the watchword of the
nation.

Elizabeth's wars abroad have depleted
her exchequer. She must now economize
and wait for a more auspicious moment
for planting a new colony in her dominion
of Virginia. But the Angel of Death waits
at the threshold, to carry her where she ib
to give an account of the deeds done in the
body. Elizabeth— Essex— Mary, Queen of
Scots— what did they have to say to each
other when they met in the dim world of
spirits f Ambition, power, and the worship-
ing love of her people could not till the
hungry heart of Elizabeth, embittered by
the perfidy of Leicester. Lonely she lived •
lonely she died. ' '

' ' The Queen is dead, long live the King ! ' '

James I, son of Mary, Queen of Scots,
sits on the throne, while Sir Walter Ealeigh
the ' ' shepherd of the ocean, ' ' lies a prisoner
m the Tower of London, spending his last
days m an effort for the good of mankind-
he is writing his History of the World.

Shadows, which the glory of Elizabeth's
reign had hitherto hid, are overcastino-
the sky of England. Thousands of dis"
banded soldiers are returning home from
the wars. The farmers have abandoned
agriculture and taken to sheep raising

36 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Everywhere there is distress. Is there
nothing for the unemployed to do!

Yes, God has opened the land of Virginia.

New hope and energy spring into life and
culminate in the formation of the London
Company for the permanent colonization of
Virginia, the territory between Cape Fear
and Maryland.

I

CHAPTER II.

New Year's Day, 1607. The god of win-
ter, holding high carnival in the vaulted
heavens, snatched the icy stalactites from
his frozen caverns, and crushing them in
his iron grasp, hurled them down upon the
shivering voyagers vainly trying to make
headway against the storm. His bellowing
laugh swayed the writhing trees until they
clashed their branches together in unbridled
furv. Countless millions of snowy flowers
whirled and rioted in the icy blast.

Huddled in the cabins of the Susan Con-
stant, the God-speed, and the Discovery
were one hundred and eight cavaliers of
fortune. Not yet out of sight of the spires
of home, discontent was already lifting its
hydra-head in search of food.

^'What fools we were ever to have lis-
tened to that conniving Smith,'' murmured
Kendall, addressing Martin standing near.
^^He is already hatching plots for making
himself King of Virginia. Watch him
seated yonder studying the map of Amadas
and Barlow. See how he is knitting his
brows and gazing far in the distance as he

38 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

sees in imagination his kingdom in his
power. I tell you, he is dangerous. Yes-
terday I saw him talking with that sancti-
monious parson Hunt. Doubtless his rev-
erence does not stand very well with the
Higher Powers, or there would be an abate-
ment of this cursed storm.''

George Maria Wingfield, strolling from
one port-hole to another, dreaming of the
vast wealth which he intended to store up
in this new land, overheard the speech of
Kendall and stored it up for future use.
He determined, as soon as they were
well out to sea, that he would stir up the
men against Smith and see what would
come of it. His malignant nature could
not bear to hear of the success of another.

Up on the deck Bartholomew Gosnold
paced back and forth, unheeding the hail
driving against his weather-beaten counte-
nance. As he swept the vast rolling billows
with his glass, he muttered to himself,
''Why couldn't they heed my advice, and
pursue the track which I have discovered,
instead of following the old route of Colum-
busr'

In the cabin of the Susan Constant sat
John Laydon, a young carpenter, with his
head buried in his hands. In mind he was
back again in a rustic cottage in Devon-

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 39

shire. Eoses clambered over it in summer
and the hawthorn blossoms whitened the
hedges enclosing it— a casket holding the
jewel of his heart's desire, pretty Anne
Burr as.

The dainty maiden has kept his honest
heart in a state of constant turmoil with
her coquettish wiles. He was never sure of
her, and even now knew not whether she
had returned his love.

Suddenly he clinched his brawny hands,
and a deep scowl ploughed his forehead as
he thought of that caititf Wingfield, whose
pretentious home lay only a short distance
from Anne's. Many a time John had
caught sight of him riding down the lane
and stopping at the gate of the cottage to
whisper flattering words into the shell-like
ears of Anne, and his honeyed words
had dazzled her and perhaps touched her
heart.

Wlien the day's work was done, John
had gone to see her, and as they sat upon
the porch with the moonlight filtering
through the meshes of the vines he had
remonstrated with her.

^^Anne, you know that he is a gentleman,
and will mate with one his equal in sta-
tion. He is only trifling with you to pass
the time. Better listen to an honest man's

40 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

love, who has your dearest interest at
heart. ' '

Anne tossed her head, and with the wis-
dom inherited from Eve avoided giving a
decided answer.

Perhaps if John returned with wealth
from that distant land, she might listen to
his suit— mind you, perhaps.

^^You cannot be a fine ladj, Anne. It
was an unfortunate dav when you took
service with Mistress Forrest, for although
she has been a kind mistress, your head has
been turned by the compliments of the
gentlemen who resort to her house. You
dream of fine clothes, a coach to ride in, and
a maid to wait upon you; but I tell you,
only grief will come of it. ' '

But no pleadings of her suitor had had
any effect on the pretty maiden, and, sore
at heart, he had left her to seek his fortune
in the New World. What was his surprise
to see Wingfield among the passengers
when he went on board the ship.

**Ha, it is you, Laydon. Pity you could
not bring the pretty Anne along,'' said
Wingfield with a sneer.

With a fierce scowl, Laydon flung a hot
reply.

** Leave her alone. Honest men do not
trifle with simple maidens, and if you ever

The Daughter of Virginia Dare. 41

do her a wrong, I will throttle you even if
I hang for it!''

Wingfield retorted with a contemptuous
laugh.

Finally the storm lulled, and the voy-
agers, pursuing the old track over which
Eleanor Dare had sailed, came to the West
Indies. There they landed in the bright
and fickle month of April, to rest their sea-
worn bodies and soothe their distraught
tempers.

Down in the hold of the God-speed lay
a young prisoner manacled in irons. Curly
brown hair waved over his forehead, long
mustachios adorned his upper lip and
eyes full of intelligence, together with
firmly closed lips, in the corners of which
lurked a smile, marked him as a man of
strong character.

He had been miraculously preserved by
Providence to be the connecting link be-
tween the lost ^^City of Ealeigh" and the
future settlement at Jamestown.

A coat of mail covered his body, fitting
down snugly over his Turk-like trousers
which were met by huge French boots, with
wide overturning tops, settling in deep
wrinkles around his ankles. No premoni-
tion of the part he was to play in the com-
ing drama of Virginia came to him as he

42 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

lay and listened to the men going back-
ward and forward to the tropical island.

Presently John Laydon came, bringing
the prisoner a luscious orange and soft
yellow banana gathered on shore. Sitting
down beside Captain Smith, he peeled the
tempting fruit and offered it to him.

^' Thank you, Laydon; it was very kind
of you to remember me. Now that we are
alone, I would like to ask you a question.
AVhat is the trouble between you and Wing-
tieldr'

His sympathetic tones unlocked the lips
of the young carpenter. He poured out the
recital of his wrongs at the hand of Wing-
field.

^ ^ Cheer up, Laydon ; things may turn out
better than you dream ; but keep a watchful
eye upon Wingfield. If I read him truly,
he is not above doing you a mischief out of
pure malice. It is owing to his efforts that
I am a prisoner. He and Kendall have
filled the men's minds with suspicion and
unkindness toward me.''

About the end of April the colonists
started northward along the coast of
Florida, where the Spaniard was disput-
ing the territory with the Indian, and
steered for the entry to Eoanoke Island.
But they had not reckoned on the fidelity

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 43

with which April pays her debts to May,
particularly on the sea. A fierce storm,
accompanied by its satellites of wind and
rain, came rushing out of the Gulf of
Mexico, and sent the ships speeding past
the '^City of Raleigh'' like helpless birds
scudding before the blast, into the mouth
of the Chesapeake Bay.

There two capes stretched out long pro-
tecting arms to break the fury of the sea,
and give the frightened voyagers time to
collect their scattered senses.

''Let us call the capes Charles and
Henry, after our sovereign's sons," said
Percy. ''May they prove as protecting to
their subjects when they come to the throne.
Yonder is a point of land, too, smiling
friendly welcome. Let us spend the night
there. ' '

This proposition met with ready assent,
and very soon their camp-fires were burn-
ing brightly, the evening meal prepared
and speedily devoured by the hungry colo-
nists, who had eaten little since the storm
arose.

"^Hiat a comfort it is to tread on dry
land once more," said Gosnold, between
mouthfuls of food.

"Ay, so it is," replied Martin. "Wliat
says this worthy company to calling this

44 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

spot Point Comfort? Let's put it to vote.
All in favor say *aye/ those opposed ^no.'
The ^ ayes' have it."

*^ Master Newport, read the sealed in-
structions for the government of the colony
which were entrusted to you. Let's hear the
conditions under which we are now to live, ' '
said George Percy.

Newport opened the sealed packet and
proceeded to read the laws of the London
Company for the new settlement. He was
constantly interrupted by exclamations of
astonishment.

^'Captain Smith appointed a member of
the council I Good ! now he will have to be
released from imprisonment, ' ' said Percy.

''He ought not to be allowed to have a
hand in the affairs of the colony; he is
too scheming," interjected Kendall.

' ' No house and land for each man, and all
to work for the common good!" exclaimed
Laydon in a disappointed tone. The hope of
winning Anne seemed farther away than
ever.

The newly appointed council conferred
among themselves, rejected Smith as a
member, and appointed Wingfield presi-
dent.

CHAPTER III.

Twenty years had the violets bloomed
over the grave of Eleanor Dare on the
island of Koanoke. In all that time the In-
dian had planted his corn and tobacco and
celebrated the harvest with feasting and
dancing unmolested by the white man.

Gentle May, with tender hands, was
removing the furry coats of the purple and
white hepaticas. The pink anemones, sway-
ing in the breeze, nodded to her as she
passed. Down by the pools of quiet waters
the beavers were building dams with their
racquet-shaped tails, while among the
rushes on the river's bank, slate-blue
cranes, standing on one leg, watched for the
unwary fish that were to make their dinner.

The rising sun sent its long slanting
beams to awaken the colonists to their first
day on Virginia's soil. Rubbing their eyes
and stretching their limbs, they set about
preparing the morning meal and getting
ready for the renewing of the voyage.

Leaving Point Comfort, they entered a
broad and pleasant stream, whose waters
traveled many miles before they emptied

46 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

their amber flood into the Chesapeake. As
they sailed up the stream their muskets
repeatedly awoke the echoes, frightening
the birds from their nest-building to whirl
in eddying circles above the tree-tops.
Curious Indians, frightened by the sound,
watched them from behind the trunks of
massive trees.

Forty miles up the river they came upon
a peninsula jutting into deep water. Tall
and stately trees covered its breast, and the
air was filled with the fragrance of blossom-
ing honeysuckle and wild roses. It seemed
an ideal spot for a settlement.

Sailing their ships close up to the shore
they landed upon the ground which in time
to come would be the most historic spot
upon the whole continent of America.

''We will call this citv Jamestown and
the river James, in honor of James, first
king of the United Kingdoms of England
and Scotland, '' pompously declared Wing-
field. ''As the weather is so pleasant, we
shall not need to build houses just at pres-
ent. Cut down some of the trees and make
room for your tents.''

"Shall we not set about building a fort
as a protection against the savages!" in-
quired Smith.

"No, do as you are told. The council

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 47

and myself are able to direct affairs with-
out your assistance. Bid the men lay aside
their arms and go to work. There is no
need for such precaution. ' '

Before long a city of tents spread its
white cones among the giant trees. A large
sail stretched between two drooping elms,
situated on a green knoll, became the church
where the colonists gathered daily to say
morning and evening prayers, led by their
faithful pastor, the Eeverend Eobert Hunt.

Each day the men were divided into com-
panies, some to cut down clapboards to load
the returning ships, others were busy clear-
ing the ground for gardens, while the rest
made nets to catch the fish of many kinds
which abounded in the stream.

Many Indians came to visit them, chief
of whom was the wily Opechancanough, and
numerous presents of bells and beads
gained his apparent good will. In return
he brought presents of corn and dried
venison, and gave much news of the
country.

^'The river vou call James, is the Pow-
hatan,'' he told them. ''It was named for
our king, who is a great and mighty chief.
When this river is filled with sturgeon he
comes to his home far up its banks. When
the swans and wild geese come northward

48 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

he goes to AVeriwocomoco on the Chicka-
hominy. ' '

Scarcely three weeks harl passed when
President Wingfield ordered Captain Smith
and Newport to take twenty men and sail
up the James to discover its source. Cap-
tain Smith was loath to leave, for discon-
tent was brewing among the colonists.

AAHien delicate hands were blistered and
unused muscles ached with unaccustomed
toil, the idle among them left oif work and
sat down to rest, until resting became a
habit. The whole of the burden fell upon
the persevering ones, who thus had to work
not only for themselves, but for the lazy
ones also.

^ ^ It is not fair, ' ' said John Lay don, ^ ' that
some should have to fish for food in the hot
sun, and work to load the vessels with clap-
boards, while others lie idle."

"We don't have to work, the common
storehouse will feed us,'' responded a man
lying among a group of idlers stretched
under a tree.

To all of their complaints Wingfield paid
no attention but spent his time in eating,
devising plans for gain, and plotting
against Captain Smith.

CHAPTER IV.

Where the beating heart of Virginia lies,
there nature has built a temple, and reared
seven hills as high altars to the One True
God. As the James, rushing swiftly down
its course, reaches this hallowed spot it
instinctively pauses and shatters its one
clear melody into a thousand exquisite
harmonies on its rocky banks of keys.

On a gently sloping hill, overshadowed
by huge forest trees, stood some ten or
twelve houses where the warriors of Pow-
hatan had their summer home. Somewhat
apart from the others was the house of
Powhatan, King of Virginia. Built of the
trunks of the cedar, and thatched with the
boughs of the pine, it formed a royal dwel-
ling place for that august chief. Nightly
four tall warriors stood guard around it to
prevent a sudden surprise from their
enemies who lay to the westward.

*'The pearl of Powhatan's daughters lies
sleeping within her shell," was the watch-
word passed at regular inter^^als from one
to the other. Dire was the vengeance of
Powhatan if one failed to answer the salute
of the other.

50 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

On this bright June morning all of the
inhabitants of the village were abroad. The
little embryo warriors, clad only in their
copper-colored skins, waged mimic warfare
with one another. From the low branches
of the trees swung the papooses, like co-
coons from which the gay-colored butterflies
were already emerging. Over the fires hung
many kettles in which the patient squaws,
young in years but old in hardships, were
cooking the morning meal for their lords,
while near the beach, stretched at full
length, lay the warriors, smoking their
long-stemmed pipes, and discussing the
news which Opechancanough had brought—
news of the pale faces who had pitched their
wigwams far down on the banks of the
river.

Calling him to them, he was again asked
to recite the wonderful tale. True, they
had heard that many years ago there
had been a tribe of pale faces far down on
Eoanoke Island, and the Hatteras Indians
even now told strange tales of a pale face
people who had once been there, but not one
of Powhatan's warriors had ever seen
them.

Sitting down, Opechancanough again
recited the tale of the wonderful tribe who
had come amoife them.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 51

'^They wear curious mantles of many
eolorSj" said he, *-and one among them has
his body covered with a hard shining shell,
which doubtless the Great Spirit has given
him. Their canoes have great white wings,
and hidden in each one is an evil spirit
which sends forth fire and thunder. ' '

In the midst of his story one of the war-
riors suddenly lifted his hand for silence,
and with head to one side and chin out-
stretched, turned his gaze upon the river.
The rest of the warriors followed his ex-
ample. Their keen ears quickly caught the
sound of oars beating the water with
measured strokes, and presently there came
into view a boat with twenty-two pale faces
in it, their gleaming muskets resting on
their knees.

^^ These are the pale faces Opechan-
canough has told you of. Eeceive them in
a friendly manner, for they are mighty
and powerful, ' ^ said that wily chief.

As the prow of the boat touched the beach
all of the warriors went down to meet it.
Many gestures on the part of the Indians
gave Captain Smith and his party to under-
stand that they were welcome.

^*We would speak with your great chief, '*
said Captain Smith, who instinctively acted
as spokesman for the rest of the party.

52 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

*'My brother Powhatan is not here/' said
Opechancanough. ^^He has gone to his
winter home at Weriwocomoco. His chiefs
and myself welcome yon in his stead.
Opechancanough has told them of your
coming and the presents you bring.

Still keeping their muskets by their side,
the voyagers seated themselves on the beach
near to their boat. Then the squaws, who
had been curiously watching them, came
forward at the command of Opechan-
canough with food for their refreshment.

Willow baskets tilled with flat cakes made
of crushed acorns, buttered with deer suet,
were flanked by hot corn pone and hoe cake.
Broiled venison and sturgeon, together with
wine made from last year's vintage, com-
pleted the repast.

With right good will the hungry voyagers
fell to and did full justice to the food set
before them.

^'Wbere is the source of this river you
call Powhatan?" said Captain Newport,
addressing Opechancanough.

^^Far away toward the setting sun,
among the great mountains, it begins, and
gathering other streams into its embrace,
swells into the river gliding by," he
answered.

After the meal was over pipes and tobacco

The Daughter of Virginia Dare. 53

were brought, and Indian and White man
smoked the pipe of peace together.

^^Who is your king, and where is your
country r' asked Nantauquas, son of Pow-
hatan.

^^Many days' journey across the great
waters lives a mighty chief called James,''
replied Captain Smith. ''Thousands of
warriors obey his commands and speed on
his errands. He has sent us to seek out the
friendship of his brother king, Powhatan,
and bring him presents as tokens of his
love. ' '

''It is well," said Opechancanough.
"Dearlv will Powhatan love his brother
and his presents. ' '

Just then came the sound of voices lifted
in song, broken now and then by shouts of
laughter. Not knowing what this might
portend, the white men grasped their mus-
kets and turned toward the direction from
whence came the sound.

A gently sloping, hill crowned with a
dense growth of sycamores, gradually thin-
ning out near the bottom, lay directly be-
hind them.

Forth from the trees on the brow came
a group of twelve maidens whirling and
bending in a sinuous circle around a young-
goddess in their midst. Raising their arms

54 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

aloft they showered her with great white
daisies inset with hearts of gold, then
bending their knees in homage, uplifted
their voices in plaintive chant, while she
in turn bent her body in graceful salute.
On went the whirling dance and battle of
flowers, in and out among the sycamores,
until they reached the foot of the hill.

Then, catching sight of the stranger
guests, the maidens paused with uplifted
arms as if stiffened into stone. Opechan-
canough went toward them and informed
them of the coming of the pale faces in
their absence.

Quickly the links of the chain fell apart
and ranged themselves behind the maiden
who had been in the center. Like a young
aspen against a background of autumn-
tinted foliage stood Pocahontas, daughter
of Powhatan and Virginia Dare. All of
the girlish abandon with which she had
whirled down the hill had vanished. In
its place was the royal bearing of the
queen.

Clouds of blue-black hair swept down her
back, bound about the temples with a rope
of pearl, which reached to her waist. A
short skirt of soft doeskin fringed with the
quills of the fretful porcupine met long
leggins embroidered in beads of many

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 55

colors, and on her bared arms gleamed
burnished copper bracelets. Her rounded
bosom still rose and fell with the exertion
of the dance.

Walking slowly forward with Opechan-
canough by her side, and her maidens fol-
lowing, she now came to greet the colonists.
Pausing before them she closely scanned
their faces, and as she held out her hands
to Captain Smith the tender smile of
Virginia Dare rippled like sunshine over
her features.

^^ Welcome to the home of Powhatan, 0
pale face brother. Have my people treated
you well, and served you with ioodV^

^^Well and kindly have we fared, ^' said
Captain Smith, * ^ and have also smoked the
pipe of peace. Let there be friendship
between your people and mine, and in token
of our love, receive this string of beads,
whose color is that of the sky.''

Instantly Pocahontas was the child again
as she eagerly accepted the blue beads and
turned to show them to her maidens.

^^We will also plant a sign of the love
there is between us.'' Turning to one of
his men. Captain Smith bade him bring
axe and spade from the boat. A young
aspen no higher than a man soon measured
its length upon the ground and was quickly

56 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

stripped of its branches, one of which, with
the silvery grey leaves still quivering upon
it, he nailed across the trunk. Then a hole
was dug and the ''Sign*' placed within it.
Turning to Pocahontas, he told her that
she must hold it upright while the men
banked the earth.

With a joyous laugh she threw her arms
over the beams of the cross and leaned her
weight against the trunk. A sob rose in
the throat of the young soldier as he looked
upon the picture of savagery clinging to
the Hope of all the world. Surely the Holy
Ghost was brooding over her on that
Pentecost Day.

Perceiving that they could not ascend
the James farther on account of the cata-
racts, the party prepared to return home.
Captain Smith turned to bid good-by to
Pocahontas. Taking her hands in his, he
smiled down into her uplifted eyes.

*'Will Pocahontas be mv friend and come
to Jamestown to see me ? There I will show
her many strange things and tell her of
the land of the pale faces.''

''Pocahontas will come, and she will also
be your friend. Already her heart turns
to your people, and much she loves them."

As they sailed down the river, Captain
Smith said to Newport, ''Did you notice

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 57

tlie bearing of Pocahontas? No maiden
of our court is more queenly. She has not
the cunning and wily look of her people;
frankness and kindness sit enthroned upon
her brow. If it were not for the color of
her skin and her Indian features I could
almost believe she was a daughter of our
people. ' '

CHAPTER V

Arriving at Jamestown, the exploring
party came upon a scene of utter confusion,
misery, and friglit. As they hastily landed
they were met by Chaplain Hunt, whose
sad face foreboded evil tidings.

^'Your prophecy has come true. Smith.
Want of proper vigilance and the lack of a
fort have been our undoing. Last night
while all were asleep we were surprised by
the Indians and many of our men are dead.
Fear has taken hold of the others to such
an extent they seem paralyzed, and will
not stir to provide protection. All are
determined to leave with Captain Newport
for home. I hope that your coming will
restore their courage. ' '

*'Why does not Wingfield compel the men
to go to work ! ' ' inquired Smith.

Mr. Hunt shrugged his shoulders, and
with a gesture of helplessness replied:

*' Wingfield, I am sorry to say, thinks
only of himself. He has no feeling of
responsibility or pity for his men. I know
you for a man of courage and a Christian.
My only hope lies in you.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 59

^^I can do so little. Every move or sug-
gestion I make is looked upon with
suspicion and jealousy. God knows I have
no selfish end in view, and I can only trust
Him and wait."

The coming of Captain Smith, with his
courage and perseverance, insensibly re-
stored the spirits of the colonists. After
he had talked to them and urged them not
to abandon the settlement they consented
to try a while longer, but no sooner was
order restored than Wingfield and his
satellites set to work to breed envy and
suspicion of the brave soldier.

One morning after daily prayer had been
said, the Rev. Mr. Hunt spoke to the
assembled men about their jealousy and
suspicion of Captain Smith.

^'My friends," said he, '^we have come
across to this land together, here to found
a home for ourselves and be a help to the
benighted savage. Let us put aside envy
and backbiting, and trust one another.
Each one of us has a duty to perform in
planting the English nation upon this soil,
and let us not forget the great end we have
in view, of bringing these poor savages
to love and serve their Maker. Let us treat
them with forbearance and patience,
making no retaliation for the wrong done

60 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

us. We must bear in mind that Kalph
Lane 's men, in killing a poor savage for the
loss of a paltry silver cup, first taught the
Indian hatred for the white man. Before
that time all was peace and love between
them. They listened gladly to the story
of the Heavenly Father's love, and even
stroked their bodies with the Word of God,
thinking in their simple way that mere con-
tact would bring a blessing. But I must
speak to you of one other thing.

*' There is one among you, courageous
and God-fearing, who has your interest
alone at heart. In return for all his kind-
ness you have given him pain and heart-
ache. Is this the spirit of a Christian?
Can we teach brotherly love to the savage
when we lack it among ourselves? Is it
honest and manly treatment? I speak to
you as man to man. Look into your hearts
and see if you have done as you would be
done by, and then repenting of your lack
of charity, extend the hand of comradeship
to him."

As they quietly listened to the words of
the priest, over many faces stole a look
of shame and repentance; but some still
sat with unmoved countenances, among
them Wingfield and his particular friends.

Captain Newport now made ready to re-

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 61

turn to England with his shipload of clap-
boards hewn from the virgin forests sur-
rounding the settlement. The pinnace was
to be left behind for exploring expeditions
as had been commanded by the London
Company.

On the voyage to Virginia much of the
food supply had been spoilt and what was
left was recklessly squandered. As long
as the returning ships stayed the sailors
exchanged the food, which they had for the
voyage back to England, for tobacco and
other possessions of the settlers.

After they left it became necessary to
place each man on an allowance of food.
A half pint of wheat and barley boiled in
water served as a day's allowance. Presi-
dent Wingfield, however, had taken care
to provide beef, oatmeal, and sack for his
private use.

He now saw fit to issue orders for the
building of the long-needed fort, and the
men were put to work cutting down pali-
sades and bearing them to the appointed
place. Few of them could be prevailed
upon to w^ork in their weakened condition,
and of those who did many died from
exhaustion.

The provisions of Wingfield were now
nearly spent, and as he had no intention

62 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

of sharing tlie lot of the colonists, he and
his friends plotted to seize the pinnace and
sail for the mother country.

One day John Laydon, returning from
work on the fort, overheard the conspir-
ators talking together behind a clump of
bushes, and he immediately reported the
matter to the Chaplain.

Hastily seeking out Captain Smith, Mr.
Hunt repeated the story told him by
Laydon.

''What shall we do, Smith I At all costs
such an outrage mnst be prevented."

''After evening prayer, when all of the
men are together, I will disclose the plot,'^
replied the Captain.

Wlien the clock struck four the idle and
the industrious alike assembled under the
stretched sail. There were the unsuspect-
ing and the plotters sitting side by side,
and as the priest looked upon them he could
not keep the tremor out of his voice as he
thought of the helplessness of some and the
treachery of the others. When the last
words of the blessing had been said, Cap-
tain Smith arose and told them of the plot.
As he pictured the selfishness of Wingfield,
his cruel treatment, and worst of all his
intention of seizing the pinnace, the anger
of the men rose to white heat.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 63

( i

He shall not be President any longer ! ' '
cried one. Immediately the cry was taken
up by the others, and Wingfield cringed in
fear of his life. A vote was then taken to
elect a new President. Surely Captain
Smith would be chosen; but no, the seed
of suspicion sown by Wingfield had taken
root. The colonists were not yet ready
to trust Captain Smith. Eatcliffe, the
accomplice of Wingfield, was elected in his
stead.

CHAPTER VI

Under the new President matters went
from bad to worse. Fall was now approach-
ing and the decaying vegetation was send-
ing up deadly miasmas to poison the air.

^^Food, food!'' was the daily cry of the
colonists. The deadly fear of Opechan-
canough and his men filled their dreams
at night with terrible crimes. Many a
man awoke with the cold perspiration bath-
ing his brow, only to find his dream come
true. A cry— a prayer— a silence!

Sitting idly around, they bemoaned their
fate and talked of the comforts they had
left behind. Would they had never left
the shores of England ! There at least they
might have found food.

But even as they sat and talked, a minis-
tering angel, sent by God, was on her way
to them. Sculling down the James caaie
Pocahontas for her first visit to Jamestown.
The bottom of her canoe was filled with
corn and wild turkeys which she was bring-
ing as a present to Captain Smith. Fear-
lessly stepping on shore, she came directly
toward a group of men sitting under a
tree.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 65

''"Where is your chief T* she asked.

Thinking that she meant Ratcliffe, one
of the men hastened to call him. But when
he appeared the little guest shook her head
and said, ^'Not the one of the lowering
brow, but the one with the shining body.'^
Then they knew she meant Captain Smith
and just then he appeared. Pleased
recognition lighted up her countenance as
she saw him.

** Pocahontas has come as she promised,
and to show her love has brought food for
the great chief."

^'Many times welcome, O Pocahontas,''
he replied. ^^The Great Spirit of the pale
faces has moved your heart to come to our
aid.''

Then he showed her the church where the
pale faces worshiped, and gave her pres-
ents of bells and beads, and she lingered a
long time with them and seemed loath to
depart.

CHAPTER VII

Fall, clad in gorgeous robes of crimson
and yellow, fled before the moaning chant
of winter as she wrapped her winding-
sheet of glistening snow around her skele-
ton form. Her biting breath had forced
the colonists to build log cabins for shelter.
E oaring fires in the great chimney places
gave warmth to their bodies, but could not
satisfy the cravings of hunger. Most of
their ammunition had been squandered
along with their provisions, and only the
daily visits of Pocahontas now saved them
from starvation.

Few among the colonists had any love
for Captain Smith. True, his popularity
had been great for a while after he had
forced Wingfield to abandon the pinnace a
second time; but it soon waned, and his
daj^s were made miserable with suspicion
and taunts.

^^I will leave them to their fate and go
in search of the South Sea, which men say
is only two hundred miles to the west-
ward,'' he said to himself.

Acting upon this determination, he took

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 67

SIX men and two Indian guides, and started
up the James. Soon he came to the Chicka-
hominy, upon whose chocolate-colored
breast the wild geese and swans were
floating.

At the same time he left Jamestown an
Indian was traveling with all speed to carry
a message from Wingfield to Opechan-
canough.

^'Father Smith comes your way. Kill
him, and twenty guns will be your reward, ' ^
was the message.

Seeing a column of smoke rising from
among the trees, Captain Smith com-
manded liis men to row him ashore. Per-
haps there might be an Indian village
there, where he could learn something about
the route to the South Sea. Taking with
him the two Indian guides, he ordered the
others to row to the center of the stream
and await his coming.

Hardly had he disajDpeared when his
orders were disobeved. Robinson and
Emry refused to row back. They would
do some exploring on their own account.

Opechancanough had received the mes-
sage sent by Wingfield. As soon as
Captain Smith was out of sight, his men
pounced down upon Robinson and Emry

68 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

and added their scalps to their belts. Then
they started in pursuit of Smith.

Not suspecting the danger dogging his
footsteps, Captain Smith was horrified to
see one of the Indians drop to the ground.
Catching hold of the other, he bound him in
front of himself, and turned to face the
enemy. Arrows flew like hail, wounding
him in the thigh. Throwing off the Indian,
he plunged into the stream, hoping to escape
his pursuers. In his disabled condition he
was soon captured, and taken by the gloat-
ing savages to Opechancanough.

Although expecting every minute to be
killed, he did not lose his presence of mind,
but began devising plans for delaying
death, if only for a short while.

Taking from his pocket a little ivory
compass, he handed it to the cunning chief.

^^Look at this, Opechancanough. Turn
it about and try to touch the little moving
point. ' '

Opechancanough did so, and tried to put
his finger upon the quivering needle, but
found a hard substance came between. Still
he could see through it, and turn it which-
ever way he would, the needle always swung
to the same spot.

A grunt expressive of admiring awe
burst from the chief and was echoed by his

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 69

men as they gazed in amazement upon the
wonderful thing.

Opechancanough and his warriors then
drew aside to hold a consultation as to the
disposal of their prisoner. At the end of
a few minutes four warriors came forward,
and seizing the prisoner bound him to a
tree. The rest then took their positions in
front of him, with arrows strung ready to
end his life.

Eesigning hope, and commending his
soul to God, the unhappy soldier awaited
the fatal signal from Opechancanough.
Just as the warriors raised their bows, the
chief held up the compass and they
unstrung their arrows.

' ^ We will take the pale face to Powhatan ;
unbind him,'' said Opechancanough.

Smith, with his hands tied behind him,
was placed between two guards and the
journey to Weriwocomoco was begun. This
place was the chief home of Powhatan.
Here he had his treasure-house filled
with skins, copper beads, and long ropes
of pearls, and bows, arrows, and the
deadly tomahawk lay heaped together.
On the one side lay greed; on the other,
death. The whole history of his deal-
ings with the colony lay in those two
piles.

70 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

When Smith arrived there he was car-
ried into a large room with mats of woven
rushes upon the floor. In the center a roar-
ing blaze sent its puffing breath in wreath-
ing clouds to form a canopy over the
bedstead throne placed beside it. Two hun-
dred warriors entered and ranged them-
selves in double rows around the walls.
From behind them peeped the squaws
dressed in fantastic garb. Their faces
and shoulders were crimsoned with the
juice of the pokeberry. Tufts of downy
heron feathers swayed above their jetty
locks, and strings of white beads encircled
their necks.

As Powhatan entered, an unearthly shout
split the air and sent cold shivers over the
prisoner.

Tall and gaunt as a blasted pine was the
King of Virginia. Sixty years had etched
their passing in numerous fine lines
upon his features. Crafty eyes, partially
obscured by half -closed lids, gave a sinister
look to his countenance. A magnificent
robe of raccoon skins covered his majestic
form, and the great bushy tails ringed in
black waved as he walked. Four youthful
maidens acted as his bodyguard, for the
decrepit chief greatly loved the young and

gay.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 71

As John Smith looked upon this living
piece of granite, hope died within him.

Calling around him the priests of Okee,
Powhatan inquired of them the will of the
Terrible One concerning the prisoner.

'^Let it be as Okee wills," said the King.
''Bring a stone and lay his head upon it."

A huge stone was placed in front of the
old war-horse. Dragging Smith forward,
his head was laid upon its cold bosom. The
savage warriors, with uplifted clubs,
crowded around to have a share in beating
out his brains.

From among the women in the back-
ground sprang Pocahontas, and threw her-
self at her father's feet.

"0 Powhatan, spare the life of the
stranger. Beware lest you anger the Great
Spirit of the pale face. He is mightier than
the Okee of the ' real man. ' Will Powhatan
not listen to Pocahontas, daughter of the
Water Lily!"

At the sound of that loved name, Pow-
hatan's eyelids flickered for an instant, but
no sign of relenting showed upon his face.

' ' The pale face shall die ; Powhatan has
spoken. ' '

Bending her body, she clasped the head
of Captain Smith to her beating bosom and
faced her father. Then the soul of Vir-

72 The Daughter of Virginia Dare,

ginia Dare battled with Powhatan for the
life of the captive.

*' Powhatan takes the life of the stranger ;
he shall also slay his best-loved daughter.
Pocahontas has spoken. ''

With a passionate movement she laid her
face against that of the prisoner, and her
clond of hair covered them both with its
dusky mantle.

For three long minutes a deathlike silence
hung over the crowded room. Only the
falling of a crackling branch sawn asunder
by the fiery tooth of the flame disturbed
the pulsating air. Powhatan moved on his
throne and the spell was broken.

^^ Pocahontas has saved the pale face
from death. He shall be kept a prisoner
to make hatchets for Powhatan and beads
for Pocahontas. ' '

Captain Smith was then removed to a
lonely house in the woods, under a guard
of four warriors.

Each day Pocahontas came with food for
the young soldier, and as he ate he told her
many stories of the lands across the sea.

*^To the eastward lies the land of the
pale faces. There they live in great houses,
tall as trees. Many openings for the sun-
light to come in are filled with a substance
clear as water, but hard and brittle. The

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 73

walls are hung in great pieces of cloth to
keep out the winter's cold. When the war-
riors go a-journey they ride upon a four-
legged animal called a horse. Also the
squaws and maidens cover their whole
bodies."

"Here and here?" said Pocahontas,
touching her bared breast and arms.

'^Yes," replied the courageous Captain.
^ * Not even an arm can be seen. ' '

"Tell Pocahontas what lies beyond the
setting sun."

"To the westward live a people whose
skin is much like that of Pocahontas. Per-
haps in the beginning of things your peo-
ple wandered from that land to this. There
they walk with their feet pressed against

ours. ' '

Pocahontas marveled much at his won-
derful narratives, and the cliild's love for
the pale face grew in strength every day.

"O Pocahontas," came in accents trem-
ulous with emotion, "you have saved my
life and given back hope to my heart. You
are as dear to me as a daughter to her
father ; hereafter I will be your father and
I shall call you child.

Seizing his hands, she pressed her lips
upon them and her happy heart made
answer.

74 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

^ ^ Pocahontas is content, for then she will
be a child of the pale faces."

x\fter two days' imprisonment a horrible
figure dressed as Satan ai^peared before
Smith. Unearthly yells, such as lost souls
doubtless utter, came from the throats of
two hundred black figures who accompanied
this apparition. Powhatan and his war-
riors had come to see if they could make the
Captain tremble before the terrors of the
devil.

Not a muscle of Captain Smith's face
moved, although an icy hand gripped at his
heart. His composure astonished Pow-
hatan. Truly this was a wonderful war-
rior whom not even Okee could force to
cringe. It were better to have his friend-
ship than his enmity. No doubt he was an
oracle of the Great Spirit.

So Powhatan left otf his incantations and
sat down before the prisoner. He was now,
he said, the friend of Father Smith, whom
he would henceforth love as a son, and
would give him land over which to rule.
He should go back to Jamestown and send
him two great guns and a grindstone.

This the Captain gladly promised to do.

CHAPTER VIII

In the cold light of a wintry morning
Smith appeared in Jamestown, escorted by
twelve warriors headed by Rawhunt. The
joyful shout of those who had stood his
friends warmed his heart. How sweetly
sound the voices of friends when one is
delivered from deadly peril! All came to
shake his hand and rejoice over him,
except the malicious Wingfield and the band
of plotters. ^Hiat evil combination of cir-
cumstances had brought back the main-
spring to set the watch to wlork again, and
destroy their well-laid plans for sailing for
home in the pinnace! Wingfield imme-
diately set to work again to hatch another
plot for getting rid of the hated Cap-
tain.

^'Ratclitfe, I have thought of a plan
whereby we may soon put an end to this
doughty soldier. We will say that accord-
ing to the Levitical Law his life should pay
the forfeit for the death of Robinson and
Emry. ' '

'^An excellent idea,'' returned Ratcliffe.
^'I tell you, man, your brains are worth

76 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

their weight in gold. We have enough men
on our side to condemn him. I, as gov-
ernor, will call the council together and
speedily settle matters, then we can return
home from this God-forsaken country.''

So Captain Smith was again brought
before his judges to plead for his life. No
protestations of innocence were of any
avail, for the Jeffreys of the court had
already decided on his doom. Wingfield,
as presiding judge, rose to deliver sen-
tence, his evil heart gloating over each
word he uttered.

^ ^ To-morrow at noon you shall be hanged
by the neck until dead.''..

Lying in the wooden fort, guarded by
grim and vengeful men, John Smith's
thoughts went traveling over the years of
his life. Again he was a slave in the land
of the Turks. God had rescued him
through His agent, the beautiful princess.
Perhaps He would again send a deliverer
if his faith remained strong.

Before the curtains of night parted to
let the sun-god roll his chariot through, the
ship of Captain Newport came sailing up
the stream. It was an answer to John
Smith's prayers.

A joyful clamor of voices mingled with
the barking of dogs greeted the tough old

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 77

sea captain as he made his way down the
ship's ladder.

^'What is the news from home! Whom
have you brought over? Have you food
and apparel on board, and where are the
letters!" The questions were eager and
numberless.

''One thing at a time," answered the
worthy old sea-dog. ''Do you expect us
to stand here in the freezing cold to give
you news! Lead the way to a fire where
we may thaw the marrow in our bones.
Gad, but you have the coldest ice-house
over here it has ever been mv lot to enter ! "

The whole procession then made its way
to the fort, as it was the largest house of
accommodation. Great sticks of jDitch pine
lighted up the interior and revealed the
prisoner lying in a corner.

"What is the meaning of this outrage!"
thundered iSTewport. "Why is Captain
Smith a prisoner?"

His questions were soon answered, and,
turning fiercely upon Ratcliffe, he hurled
maledictions upon him.

"Release him instantly or else some
other gibbering head will adorn the gal-
lows to-morrow! I will be answerable to
the London Company. ' '

Captain Smith's guards sullenly undid

78 The Daughter of Virginia Dare.

liis bonds, and he came forward to hear
the news from home. First he cast his
eyes upon the new adventurers, and he saw
that no liope for the settlement lay in them.
Soft, cushiony hands w'ere not going to
wield the axe and sight the gun.

Seating himself upon a rough stool
before the fire, the messenger from home
began to dole out his packet of mail.

''Two for you, Martin, three for Rat-
cliffe, and one for you, WingJffeld. Looks
like a woman's hand and an uneducated one
at that. Nothing for you, Laydon, I am
sorry to say.''

The fortunate ones eagerly seized their
letters and were soon deep in their contents.
Those who had received no mail clamored
for news.

''Fair and softly. Give me time to get
my breath, and one of you men fetch me a
cup of sack from yonder package near the
door. Ah," came his voice between his
gulps, "how liquor warms the cockles of a
man's heart. Now I will begin.

' ' First of all, the reading of the Word of
God"— here he lifted his hat reverently—
"is rapidly spreading among the poor as
well as the rich. Men's minds are more
set on serious things than in the reign of
our good 'Queen Bess,' God rest her soul!

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 79

The Puritan sect is making great headway,
but I do not like their sour looks and lank
hair. ' '

^'How are King Janies and Parliament
getting on!" said George Percy. '^And
what of my kinsman, Lord Percy!"

''Ill, man, ill. King James is driving
Parliament to distraction by his forced
lewing of taxes and reckless expenditure
of money without their consent. I do not
know how long they will hold out. To all
their remonstrances he replies, 'I am King
by divine right, and am under no duty to
consult anv will but mine own.' As for
your kinsman, Lord Percy, he still keeps
Sir Walter Ealeigh company in the Tower
of London. All the brilliant wits of the day
visit them. Chief among them is Will
Shakespeare. That canting Scotchman
Carr, now Earl of Somerset, if you please,
has the upper hand at Court. Strange
rumors are afloat concerning the murder
of Overby. It is whispered that Carr and
his wife, once Lady Essex, had a hand in
that; and hark, a word in your ear, the
London Company is mightily disgruntled
because no gold has been sent back from
the colony. You gallants get to work and
hunt for the precious metal.''

' ' Put not such thoughts into their heads, ' '

80 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

interposed Captain Smith in a whisper.
*'I tell you there is no gold in these parts.
Better exhort them to set to work and put
this settlement on a firm basis. Just now^
it is like a city built on shifting sand. Dis-
content and jealousy rock the government
like a ship in a storm. ' *

CHAPTER IX

''Fire, fire!'' The cry rang out over
the settlement.

Scurrying figures hastened from all
directions to the storehouse from whence
volumes of flame leaped in frenzy. The
wild wind swept the licking tongues over
to the fort, and explosions of gunpowder
shook the ground, scattering the sparks in
every direction. In two hours' time every
cabin lay a smouldering mass of spluttering
flames and charred embers. Poor, unfortu-
nate colonv! Was the relentless hand of
fate crushing them out with resistless
power! Those who make no effort to take
their part in the world's work she ever
pushes to the wall. Perhaps they were but
reaping as they had sown.

''Lose not your courage, my men!"
pleaded Chaplain Hunt. "God has not
deserted us. It is but a testing sent to
purify our hearts. Go to work and rebuild
vour cabins immediatelv and He will vet
smile ux)on your efforts."

Wliat a noble heart lay enshrined in the
body of this Ambassador of God. With
nothing left but the clothes he wore, and his

82 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

dearly loved books but blackened ashes, he
conld vet trust his Maker, and await with
loving faith the fulfibnent of His promises.

His words of encouragement found no
responsive echo in their hearts. They gave
themselves up to despair, and their utmost
efforts resulted only in the digging of holes
in the ground and covering them with pine
boughs as a sleeping-place.

A year has passed by, and here they are
in the bleak month of January without food
or shelter. Nothing gained and all lost
since they set sail from England.

The food brought over by Newport's
ships, together with two hundred bushels
of corn which he and Captain Smith had
gotten from Powhatan, have all gone to
feed the flames. A little meal doled out
from the ship's store is all they have.

CHAPTER X

A white, silent world, sliimmering under
the brilliance of a full moon riding high in
the lighted heavens. The gnarled boughs
of twisted trees cast their inky shadows in
fantastic tracery over its glistening surface.

Seated around a roaring fire were some
ten or twelve men, wrapped in their long
cloaks and vainly endeavoring to warm
their aching limbs. Among them was
a newcomer, Adam Clotworthy, a rol-
licking blade whom no misfortune seemed
to chill. His great round body, cov-
ered with a quilted doublet of scarlet
cloth, rocked from side to side on legs
so short there seemed no room for
joints at the knees. Stubby black hair shot
out around a face in which sly humor and
common sense were blended together by an
expression of human kindness. A brown
eye and a blue eye, never looking in the
same direction, stood sentinel on either side
of a huge nose that had a trick of working
at the end when he talked.

Coming now to the side of Kendall, he
poked him in the ribs with his elbow.

84 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

''Draw up your long shanks a bit and
give a man room to sit down.''

With a muttered growl Kendall made
room as Adam desired. Gathering his
cloak closely around him, Adam squashed
down upon the ground like a ripe tomato,
from under which two huge boots stuclv
out straight in front. His legs had dis-
appeared under his mountain of flesh.

Captain Smith could not forbear joining
in the shout of laughter that burst involun-
tarily from the rest of the company.

Not in the least disconcerted by their
laughter, Adam squirmed around until he
had made himself comfortable, and pro-
ceeded to open conversation with the grim
and scowling men around him.

''By my faith, Martin, you look like a
mourner at a funeral! Take heart, man;
perhaps the 'Injun' lady you told me
about will step over to-morrow with a
bushel or two of corn and a brace of
wild turkeys. Gad, I can smell 'em roast-
ing now."

"Quit your talk about food, or I will
break every bone in your body ; that is, all
that haven't turned to grease," said Ken-
dall with a scowl.

Misery again settled upon the faces of the
men as thev unconsciously licked their

The Daughter of Virginia Dare, 85

cracked lips at the mention of the savory
turkeys.

^'Jealousy, man; pure jealousy is your
disease/^ returned Adam with a sly wink
of his brown eye. ''If you had more flesh
on that skeleton of yours you would not be
looking through blue spectacles, and we
would not be compelled to study anatomy
all the time.

''I'll tell you a tale about a real fat
man I saw once. It happened down at the
'Three Swans' just at Christmas time. I
stopped there for dinner, and I tell you it
was worth eating. First there was a roast
pig—"

"Didn't I tell you to quit talking about
food!" bellowed Kendall.

' ' Marry, man, but you are hard to please.
Whoever heard of a tavern without food of
some kind, even if it were only a posset of
ale, with a roasted apple bobbing around in
it as it simmers beside the fireplace. As I
was saying—"

Crack, snap ! silence. Crack, snap ! again.

Hastily jumping to their feet, with their
muskets ready for action, the frightened
men peered into the shadows. A low, gasp-
ing sob floated out to them.

" 'Tis Pocahontas," said Captain Smith,
and hastened into the shadows. He soon

86 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

came into the light, half supporting her
almost frozen body as she stumbled into the
firelight. Her short deer skirt, soaked with
water, clanked its frozen folds together as
she walked, and her long black hair was
matted with ice. Forgotten were cold and
hunger as the men quickly threw their
cloaks upon the ground to make her a seat,
while George Percy wrapped his around
her. Captain Smith seated himself beside
her, and as he gently chafed her hands,
spoke soothing words in an endeavor to
check her hysterical sobs.

^^My little child, my doe, 3^our father is
with you. All is well. See, your friends
are all around you. There now, my little
one, do not speak until you are warm. ' '

Gradually the puckering lips smoothed
themselves into a trembling smile as he
wiped the tears away. For a moment Poca-
hontas forgot her errand in the delight of
being with him; but with remembrance
fear came rushing back, and springing to
her feet she gasped out :

'^Before another moon Powhatan will be
upon you ! Already men are on their way
bearing gifts. Do not be deceived. Two
hundred warriors are behind them armed
with the scalping-knife. Pocahontas has
traveled many miles through the snow

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 87

and waded streams to bring her father
warning. ' '

^^0 my little child, you have risked your
life again!'' cried Captain Smith as he
folded her in his embrace.

''Pocahontas loves the pale face better
than life," she answered, cuddling down
into his arms. ''Joy sings in her heart
when she dreams she is a maiden of your
people and the daughter of her pale face
father. ' '

The faces of the sternest men worked as
they leaned on their muskets and listened to
the recital of her brave deed.

"Faith,'' said Adam, "I haven't had so
much salt water in my eye since old Father
Neptune ploughed up his farm, coming
over. ' '

Running their hands into their capacious
pockets, the men brought forth bells and
beads and offered them to her in token of
gratitude. She shook her head, and great
tears welled up, splashing down upon the
presents lying in her lap.

"Pocahontas dare not take them,
although she likes them much. Powhatan
will kill her if he learns she has given
warning."

"I have something she will take," said
Adam, drawing forth a small mirror. "I

88 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

have yet to see the maiden who would not
look at herself every chance she got/* So
saying, he rocked himself forward and
started to lay it in her lap.

Catching sight of him for the first time,
she gave a shriek and buried her face in
Smith's breast.

^ ^ Okee, Okee ! ' ' she wailed.

*^Now whatever do vou make of thatT*
exclaimed the astonished Adam. ^*Who in
the devil is Okee V

' ^ That 's just what he is, the devil, ' ' said
Kendall, laughing grimly. ** Truly a fine
compliment from a primitive Eve to an
ardent Adam."

^'No, no, my child. No Okee,'' said Cap-
tain Smith, smoothing her hair. ^^He is a
good kind friend and likes Pocahontas."

** Likes," sniffed the discomfited Adam,
^^I never got as far as liking. She didn't
give me time."

Eeluctantly putting aside Captain
Smith's enfolding arms, she rose to her
feet.

* * Pocahontas must go. Already the moon
is seeking her bed."

* ^ You must not go by yourself, my child, ' '
remonstrated Smith. ^^If Powhatan's men
meet you, they will take you to him and he
will kill you. ' '

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 89

** Pocahontas is content. Has she not
saved her father and the pale faces? Also
she must go alone."

One moment she smiled upon them, and
the next she had gone.

CHAPTER XI

Relentless fate came yet again and blind-
folded the colonists with a veil of golden
gauze.

On a frosty morning, as one of the men
walked by a little stream, he saw a shining
substance glistening in the sand. Snatching
up a handful, he ran as fast as possible to
where George Martin was standing.

''Look, Master Martin; see if this be not
goldr'

Taking the earth into his hand, the refiner
of precious metals examined the glistening
mass carefully, turning it over and over in
his hand.

''Yes, it is gold," said he.

"Gold, gold!" veiled the man at the top
of his voice.

At the magic word every man started
into life, stumbling over one another in their
efforts to secure spade and pickaxe and
join the maddened crowd hastening to the
stream. Puffing and blowing like a seal,
Adam Clotworthy waddled along, bringing
up the rear, his spade dragging behind
him.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 91

Did unused muscles ache! Let them.
Cracked and bleeding hands smarted under
blisters. Who cared? Was not the precious
metal lying in tons before their eyes?

^^Try and put a stop to this digging of
fool's gold/' begged Captain Smith of
Robert Hunt.

**I can do nothing while this fever rages
in their veins. If you look at their frenzied
faces and bloodshot eyes you will see that
my efforts would be useless. Even New-
port has joined in the mad rush. His boat
will soon be loaded, and after his departure
we may be able to do something."

The warm breath of spring was upon
them before Captain Newport sailed down
the stream with his valuable cargo. All of
the gold diggers gathered on the beach to
witness his departure. Here and there the
superstitious ones threw a few beads into
the water for luck, as they had seen the
Indians do when starting on a voyage.

After the ships had drifted out of sight,
Captain Smith began to urge the colonists to
rebuild the fort and cabins.

'^Even if the cargo turns out to be gold,
you cannot leave this country unless you
receive a special passport from King
James, and that no doubt will be long in
coming. Perhaps if you prove industrious,

92 The. Daughter of Virginia Dare

the Company will in time give each of you
a house, and land to till for your own gain.
But until they see some fruit from you,
nothing will be forthcoming for your
benefit. ' '

This advice seemed reasonable, and as
summer was now approaching and fish
abounded in the stream, the colonists started
to rebuild the fort and cabins.

John Laydon, master carpenter and
wood-carver, superintended the work,
reserving for his especial care the erection
of a commodious church to take the place
of the old affair of rough logs and reed-
thatched roof, the successor of the sail
stretched between the elms.

Choosing two fair and goodly cedars, he
shaped them into an altar and carved upon
the front a cross with a grape vine clinging
to it, and the fragrant incense of the cedar
swept upward with the prayers of the colon-
ists when once a month they knelt to receive
the Holv Communion.

The tilled fields began to show tender
green shoots of corn and clinging bean
against the rich dark loam. Gradually
order was emerging out of chaos under the
energetic supervision of Captain John
Smith, who set the example of industry by
his own hard work.

CHAPTER XjX

On a briglit sunny morning in May the
dewdrops were still sleeping in the cups of
the flowers when Pocahontas arrived at
Jamestown. A subdued excitement sparkled
in her eyes and her parted lips could scarce
keep back the eager speech. Hastily seek-
ing out Captain Smith, she said, ^^Last
night a vision came to Pocahontas out of
the spirit-land. She comes to her father
to know its meaning.''

Leading her to a grassy knoll beside the
lapping w^aters, and drawing her down
beside him, he replied, ''Speak on, mv
child. ' '

''Listen and Pocahontas will tell you.

*Trom the north came the maiden of darkness

Floating on shadowy pinions,

To brood over the sleeping hamlet.

Now and then the bird of ill omen

Sent its melancholy notes through the forests,

Like the plaintive wail of the dying.

On her embroidered pillow of leather.

Made soft with the breast of the heron,

Lay Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan.

Softly the spirit of slumber

Lowered the curtains of vision,

And carried her forth .to the forest.

Down where the water willow

Washes her silver laces

94: The Daughter of Virginia Dare

A brawling brook was resting

In a hollow lined with lilies.

The blue-gQmmed dragon-fly

Rippled its ]facid surface

With touches light as a zephyr.

Kneeling over its brink to gather

The rounded pink and white pebbles,

Lining its soft sandy bottom,

She saw her laughing reflection

Bending its head in sweet greeting.

A chill of fear swept over her

Like an icy blast from the north.

Gradually her picture was changing

Into some one she knew and she knew not.

The blue-black veil of her hair

Faded away like a vision in dreams.

In its place long waves of sunshine

Swept its billows o'er her shoulders.

The copper-tinted skin of her .tribe

Gave place to the hue of the lily,

And eyes, gray like the coat of the pigeon,

Pleaded tenderly for love and compassion.

'Mother,' sprung to .the lips of Pocahontas

Like an arrow shot from the bow ;

And 'Daughter,' answered the vision.

In accents as soft as music.

As the picture slowly faded

And Pocahontas raised her head,

A wide plain stretched before her

Where the forest once had stood.

And the pale-faces of your people

Were as many as the sands of the sea.

Far away where the wintry sun

Sinks into its bed to rest.

There the diminished tribes of my people

Wandered alone and forsaken."

^' Truly a strange dream, my child,"
Smith slowly replied. '^The Great Spirit

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 9'5

5ends me no answer. We must look to the
coming years for its m_eaning. Of one
thing I am certain, the God of tlie wliite
man has you in His keeping. No harm
shall come to Pocahontas, His ministering
angel. ' '

CHAPTER XIII

In the meantime, another ship, the
Phoenix, arrived at Jamestown with a
large amount of provisions and more set-
tlers. Peace and prosperity sent their
flickering smiles to warm the hearts of all.

The honest captain of the Phoenix
brought with him a letter ordering Smith
to go again in search of the South Sea.
This command exactlv suited the adventur-

*'■

ous spirit of the gallant soldier, and taking
with him fourteen men, among them Adam
Clotworthy, he started up the Chesapeake.
Sailing along its low shores fringed with
fragrant verdure, and interlaced with sil-
ver ribbons, where the York and Potomac
pour in their waters, they met with many
adventures. Far up its waters they jour-
neyed until the mouth of the Susquehanna
was reached. Then turning southward
again, they entered a wide basin where in
time to come ships from many foreign
lands would disgorge their load of human
freight, gathered at every port beyond the
seas. Golden-haired, ruddy-cheeked giants
of the Norseland would tower above the
dark-eyed, small-statured sons of Italy.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 97

Fair Baltimore— set as a glowing ruby
between the diamonds of the North and
the opals of the South.

Journeying up the Potomac, they came
upon Japazaws, a werowance of Powhatan.
Just as the sun was lighting up the horizon,
Captain Smith moored his barge and
stepped ashore. Before even greeting the
chief, he and his men knelt for morning
prayer, then rising to their feet joined in
the second canticle. Instantly the crowd of
dusky savages turned as one man to greet
the rising sun, and a ''fearful song" to
Aurora blended its wail with the Te Deum
chanted to the Trinity. After this ''fear-
some chant" had ended, Japazaws made a
ring of dried tobacco upon the ground
into which the braves cast pieces of copper,
at the same time prostrating themselves
upon the ground.

Bidding good-by to Japazaws, our party
sailed down to the York River, and leis-
urely ascending its broad waters, came into
the Pamunkey.

CHAPTER XIV

Black billows of rolling clouds, their
ragged edges gold-rimined by the full-
orbed moon, raced with mighty speed
across the heavens. Hidden in a mass of
dense trees whose matted branches were
interwoven with tangled vines stood the
temple of Okee. The rank vegetation
exhaled poisonous vapors which were
absorbed by the stagnant waters of the
slimy marsh, and wild yells of demons
came in weird and faint echoes to the ears
of the English voyagers on the banks of
the Pamunkey.

' ^ Now what on earth can that be T ' cried
Adam. ''Surely all the angels of Satan
must be in that swamp."

''We will reconnoiter, ' ' said Smith.

"Have you gone daft, man! Do you
want them to seize you by the hair and bear
you otf to toast on a pitchfork?"

"You should not be afraid of your
familiar friends," returned the Captain,
his brown eyes twinkling. "Pocahontas
said you were the chief of the terrible tribe.
Who will go with me to reconnoiter?" he
added.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 99

^'I will go/' spoke up Adam, ^'I might
just as well be scalped there as here,''

-'I thought yon were afraid!" taunted
a fellow voyager.

^^I am safer with Smith than with you.
He is worth all the rest of the colony put
together. ' '

'^Now listen to my instructions, men,"
said the Captain. ^ ' If any danger threatens
us, I will cry ^ Saint George,' and do four
of you fellows come to our aid, while the
rest stand ready to push off the boat. ' '

Armed with their muskets and powder-
horns. Captain Smith and Adam Clot-
worthy started on their perilous adventure
through the dark swamp. Knowledge of
danger was to Captain Smith like the
scent of battle to the pawing war-horse.
His spirits rose at every step. Not so the
worthy Adam; his courage drained down
to his toes as he stumbled along over
deceitful hillocks showing dimly under the
fitful light of the moon. Choosing an emi-
nence covered with lush grass, he stepped
upon it. Immediately it gave away and
he slid down into a pool filled with black,
slimy ooze.

''They have got me!" he wailed under
his breath. ''I can feel their icy claws
upon my feet. Lord have mercy upon my

100 The Daughter of Virginia Dare.

sinful soul! Don't let the devil have me!
You know I am not fit to die. Only let me
get out and I swear T will never utter
another oath, and I will go to church regu-
larly every day. Indeed I will !' '

Captain Smith caught him by the
shoulders just under the arms, and bracing
himself against a tree, gave a mighty jerk.
Forth came the bedraggled Adam, smeared
in slime up to his breast. The ludicrous
sight filled the Captain with, silent mirth
as he plodded along beside him and lis-
tened to the slimy water slushing in his
boots at every step.

After an hour of arduous toil they came
out upon firm ground. There before them
rose the temple. Trees planted thickly
together formed the walls; their branches
twisted and matted together, the roof.
Countless passion-flowers crept in and out
among the trunks, and spread their purple
flowers in a thick coverlet over the entire
structure. A yellow glare from pitch-pine
torches within gleamed through the many
crevices, like millions of fireflies.

Adam would not stir a step until with
much labor he had gotten off his boots and
emptied out the mud and slime.

Not an Indian was to be seen as they
stole toward the house, and, avoiding the

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 101

door, made for an oi^ening in tlie wall
through which a broad beam of light
streamed out. This opening was so large
that both Smith and Adam could gain a
clear view of the interior without being
seen themselves.

As Adam opened his mouth to utter a
groan of horror, Smith clapped his hand
upon it and whispered, ^'Do you want to
be scalped? Keep still if you value your
life. ' '

Such an awful picture they had never
looked upon before. Here in the midst of
the American wilderness was Dante's
Inferno. At the end of the temple opposite
the door, high up on a framework of reeds,
lay the shriveled remains of past kings and
priests. The bodies were painted and
decorated in a fearful manner, their claw-
like fingers still grasping the bow and
arrow. At their feet crouched the stutfed
bodies of favorite hounds. Occupying the
center of the room was the image of Okee,
his frightful face painted in red and black
stripes. Eopes of pearls as large as peas
hung around his neck, and from the crown
of his head stood up a tuft of eagle feathers
dyed green and red. His staring eyes, en-
closed in broad white circles, gazed unwink-
ingly upon the priests surrounding him.

102 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Their naked bodies, clothed only in an
apron of skin, were painted red and black
in imitation of the god. Writhing green
snakes, hanging in holes bored in their
ears, hit viciously with arrow-head tongues
at their foaming lips as they whirled in the
devil's dance.

Rattling pebbles shut up in conch shells,
together with the hollow boom of mem-
brane stretched over gourds, added their
deafening din to the confusion.

In the background knelt the squaws with
buckhorns bound to their heads. Their sobs
and lamentations rose to shrieks as the
frenzied warriors, black as midnight, tore
the suckling babes from their clinging
arms to offer them in sacrifice to Okee.

''Let me get behind you. Smith, for
mercy's sake! I see a howling devil glar-
ing right in this direction. Your armor
will blunt his arrows before they get
around to me, ' ' whispered the irrepressible
Adam.

Again the whirling dance and sacrifice
went on until the exhausted madmen fell
to the ground. In the lull that ensued,
Powhatan, seated near hig departed ances-
tors, raised his hand for silence.

''The priests of Okee crave another

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 103

offering, else the Terrible One will send
the warriors when they die to Popagosso
under the fiery sun, burning low in the
west. The pale face has come among us,
taken our lands, and killed our warriors.
Okee demands the blood of the white cap-
tive at our hands."

Captain Smith's hair stood on end with
horror, for he realized that the little white
boy, given by Newport to Powhatan, was
to be the propitiatory victim. The Cap-
tain's mind traveled like lightning over
various plans for the release of the
child.

While Powhatan was speaking, Poca-
hontas, sick with the sight of flowing blood,
crept noiselessly out. Would not the Great
Spirit of the pale face send succor to the
unfortunate boy, soon to be slaughtered?
she wondered. She would pray to Him.
Perhaps He might heed the prayer of an
Indian maiden. Her ^^father" had said
the Great Spirit could do all things.

Kneeling down and clasping her hands
as she had seen Captain Smith do, she
lifted pleading accents to the God of the
Indian and the white man.

"0 Great Spirit of my ^father,' let not
Powhatan take the life of the little pale
face brother. Pocahontas will give in

104 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

return the blue beads her 'father' gave
her. ' '

'' Pocahontas," whispered Smith, '*it is
I, your father. Do as I bid you and the
boy will be saved." Then he rapidly
whispered directions in her ear.

'^ Pocahontas understands and obeys.
My father will not hurt Powhatan and her
people?"

''No, Powhatan and your jDeople shall
live," he answered; but to himself he mut-
tered, "If it were not for the women and
children, I could murder every fiend."

Looking now through the crack, he saw
the lad dragged forth toward the priests.
His cries for mercy were met by the taunt-
ing "Ohe, Ohe," of his tormentors. No
time was to be lost. Turning to Adam he
said, ' ' Give me your podwer-horn. ' '

"Take heed what you do. Smith,"
implored Adam, his teeth clashing together
like castanets, and the knob on his nose
working like a pig's snout with excite-
ment.

"Keep still, and hand me your horn.
Stir not from this spot, no matter wliat
happens." So saying. Captain Smith and
Pocahontas disappeared, leaving Adam
alone. Now and then curiosity over-
powered fear, and he would look again

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 105

through the crack, only to fall back and
begin petitions for deliverance.

Kunning around to a spot in full view of
the door, Captain Smith emptied the
powder in Adam's horn into a piece of
clay pipe lying near. Then inserting a
lighted fuse, he took to his heels. Fleeing
around the corner he ran full tilt into the
unconscious Adam, with his eye glued to
the crack, and both rolled to the ground.
Not knowing what had assaulted him,
Adam let out a yell that would have
wakened the dead kings lying in state, had
it not been drowned in the explosion of the
gunpowder.

A roar of thunder split the air, followed
by blinding flashes of flame. For a moment
a deathly silence hung over the Indians,
then shrieks and yells burst from the
painted demons. Pandemonium reigned as
they fled from the temple. Leading the
vanguard was Powhatan, clinging to a
litter borne on the shoulders of four
warriors who sped away in the dark-
ness.

In the midst of the confusion, Pocahontas
snatched the white boy up and made for the
place where Captain Smith was vainly try-
ing to pacify the terrified Adam, who was
now wallowing on the ground.

106 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

^^Stop your howls, or I will leave you
to the mercy of the Indians! Get up, we
have not a moment to lose. Pocahontas is
here with the bov. We must hasten to the
boat for our lives.''

Leading the way as guide, with the boy
clasped in her strong young arms, Poca-
hontas plunged into the swamp. Over
morass, through matted vines, she went
with unerring instinct, followed by Smith,
trundlino^ the unwieldv form of Adam
before him. Down into a hole went Adam
for the second time, leaving a boot as a
memento of the adventure. As he hobbled
painfully along, sick with misery and fear,
his strength gave out, and with a moan
he pitched forward. Losing no time in an
examination of the unfortunate man. Smith
merely rolled him over, and catching him
in the back of his collar, dragged him along
in his flight.

He heaved a sigh of thankfulness as he
saw the boat through an opening in the
trees. ^^ Saint George!" he shouted, and
the men on the beach ran forward to meet
him. Picking up the body of Adam as if
he were a log of wood, they sped to the
boat and dumped him in. Pocahontas
placed the boy in Smith's arms and
vanished.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 107

'^Eow for vour lives, men! Death lies
in the swamp," urged Smith.

Bending to their oars, they sent the ])oat
plunging down the stream in reckless
haste, nor did thev cease to row until the
broad York was left behind, and the prow
of their barge dipped its nose in the salty
waters of the Chesapeake.

CHAPTER XV

Drifting down the Chesapeake at night!
AVhat exquisite beauties of earth and sky
wrapped the weary voyagers in their
embrace, soothing their aching bodies and
exhausted nerves! Drifting on the moon-
kissed ripples, into the waves of liquid sil-
ver slowly changing into gold under the
alchemy of the rising sun! In the open
glades, stretching away into forests still
draped in the morning mists, antlered
monarchs of the wilderness led the herd of
doe and bounding fawn to the pools of
fresh water for their morning bath.

As the barge swung around into the
James that morning, the voyagers descried
the flag of Saint G-eorge, bidding defiance
to the Indian as it fluttered in the sum-
mer's breeze from the mast of a ship just
ahead.

^'Look, there is Newport come again,''
said Captain Smith. *' Rouse up, Adam;
the danger is long past."

Uttering a hollow groan, Adam raised
himself from the bottom of the boat where
he had lain since the mad race down the
Pamunkey.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 109

''Lord, but I am thankful to see civiliza-
tion again! If I am forgiven for this
exploit, I will never be caught among those
devils again; and if I only had a cup of
sack, I swear I would feel like a human
being once more. '^

"How about those vows vou made never
to swear again, when you fell into that
hole!" inquired Smith.

"There were reservations, man; mental
reservations. I took care to put them in,'^
said the now courageous Adam.

With swift strokes they came alongside
the English ship and hailed her, and as she
slowed down, Captain Newport came to the
side and called out to Smith:

"I have something on board that will
delight your eyes. A fair gentlewoman.
Mistress Forrest, and her maid, Anne
Burras. ' '

With courtesies and smiles, the lady and
her maid came forward to acknowledge the
greeting of the voyagers.

"Beside such a pleasant sight, madam,
the whole of His Majesty's dominions in
this land pale into insignificance, ' ' said
Captain Smith, sweeping his soft hat
almost to the bottom of the boat as he stood
to greet her.

Then gaily proceeding up the stream, the

110 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

barge leadingj they came to anchor at
Jamestown.

AVhere were all the settlers who should
have been upon the beach to greet them?
Hardly a dozen could be seen strolling
around idly or lolling under the trees.

"AVhere are all the men?" was Smith's
first greeting.

^'Tliey are at work in the woods, build-
ing a palace fit for the habitation of the
President of this magnificent settlement,'*
ironicallv answered Percy.

Meantime, Wingfield had caught sight
of Mrs. Forrest and her maid. ' ' Shade of
Henry VIII., I do believe it is the wilful
Anne ! ' ' Hastening forward, his plumed
hat swept the ground as he bent to Mrs.
Forrest. Not quite so low was its sweep
to Anne, but there was enough gallantry
in his action, and admiration in his eye,
to set the foolish little maid's heart to
fluttering. Not only in our day do maidens
dream of being elevated to rank above the
station in which they are born.

''Anne," said Mrs. Forrest sharply, not-
ing the confusion of her maid, and having
no mind to encourage this unequal flirta-
tion, "look to the bales in which my gowns
are packed, and have a care for the packet
containing my ruifs."

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 111

With a slight toss of her curly chestnut
head, Anne obeyed the bidding of her
mistress.

The most commodious cabin was set
apart for Mrs. Forrest and her husband,
and during the ensuing days that thrifty
lady speedily had her lares and penates
safely housed.

It was a touching sight to see the home-
longing in the eyes of the men as they
passed her open door. No matter in what
direction they were bound, their path
always lay directly past her door and win-
dow^, where they could see the dainty
Anne standing before the spinning-wheel,
or bending over the fire tasting the con-
tents of some savory mass bubbling and
singing upon the crane.

Captain Smith had lost no time in seek-
ing out the men engaged in building Rat-
cliffe's house in the woods, under the direc-
tion of Laydon. Adam Clotworthy had
alreadv arrived there.

Toiling under the weight of huge logs
and straining to lift them into position had
worked the men up into mutiny. Mutter-
ings of strange torments in the way of
revenge were whispered from one to
another. Adam, who had no liking for
Eatclitfe, egged them on.

112 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

''You fellows might just as well be slaves
in Africa, toiling and moiling for some
wooly-headed chief. Why not choose a
President for yourselves? I have the very
man in my eye.'' Then he launched into
a description of Smith's exploits on the Pa-
munkey, embellishing the tale with such
wonders as would have put Don Quixote to
the blush. ''I can tell you a few little
tricks, I learned up there, of dealing with a
traitor, that are uncommon good."

This recital acted as a lighted fuse to the
guni30wder of their feelings, and the
explosion took place just as Smith arrived.
Throwing down axes, hammers, chisels and
spades, they gave themselves up to fierce
anger against Eatcliffe.

When he judged the moment to be ready,
Adam threw up his hat and yelled,
''Smith! Smith for President!" The cry,
was taken up on every side as they moved
in a body back to the settlement, carrying
Smith in their midst.

So dark were their scowling looks, and so
fierce their gestures, that Eatcliffe made
haste to scuttle aboard Newport's ship
and place himself behind the protection of
the guns. A vote was then taken, and by
an overwhelming majority Captain Smith
was elected President of the colony.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 113

As soon as the excitement quieted down
a bit, Captain Smith drew John Laydon
aside.

^'Did you know a Mistress Forrest has
arrived with Newport, bringing a maid
called Anne Burras with herf he said.

^^Anne here?'' John replied in bewilder-
ment.

"Yes, I suspect it is that bewitching
damsel. Have an eye upon Wingfield.
AVatch over her whenever possible. ' '

"With his heart palpitating between love
and fear of his reception, the young car-
penter hastened to the cabin of Mrs. For-
rest, where he found Anne looking through
the window at the excited men and wonder-
ing what the trouble was.

"Anne, Anne!" he cried, his rugged face
beautiful with the strength of his great
love.

"Good-day to you, Master John Lay-
don," responded Anne, eyeing with dis-
favor his coarse woolen jerkin and rough,
toil-worn hands.

"Is that all you have to say to me, Anne
after our long separation?" he pleaded, a
hurt look creeping into his eyes. "My girl,
I have dreamed of you day and night out
here under the stars and glare of the sun.
At first I longed to have you with me; but

lltt The Daughter of Virginia Dare

when cold and starvation killed off our
men, and many died at the hands of the
savage, I thanked God you were safe in
England. ' ' .

^*You do me too much honor, Master
Lay don," replied the damsel, imitating in
manner and gesture the carriage of her
mistress.

'' 'Master Laydon, Master Laydon,' ''
echoed the indignant John. "Your tone
smacks too much of the fine lady, child."
Then changing his tone to one of per-
suasion, he drew nearer and attempted to
take her hand. "It used to be 'John' and
'Anne," when we strolled through the lanes
at home." Snatching away her hand, and
drawing her little body up, Anne scorn-
fully replied:

"A child does many things which it
leaves off when it comes to know better. I
must bid you good-by, as my time is of
too much importance to idle it away."

Turning away with a haughty inclina-
tion of her head, she went into another
room and made straight for a window
where she could see the disconsolate John
moving away.

Her eyes sparkled with, excitement. It
was truly delightful to have a handsome
gentleman like Wingfield paying her com-

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 115

pliments, and at tke same time the despair-
ing John was not to be despised. He served
as a somber background to her glowing
dreams.

As the summer ripened, many stealthy
meetings with Wingfield, filled with com-
pliments and airy nothings, alluring as a
mirage and as tangible as a will-o-the-wisp,
kept the ambitious maiden's heart in a
turmoil of excitement. That accomplished
flatterer was too skilful a navigator to
run his ship upon the rocks of definite
words, although keeping in full sight of
the green fields of her untutored heart.
His jDleasurable enjoyment in balking John
changed into pure malice as the weeks
drifted by. Everywhere he turned, the
stern watchful eyes of the carpenter were
upon him, and he often found him dogging
his footsteps. This unceasing shadowing
irritated the cowardly Wingfield. ^'If he
keeps up this espionage on my movements,
I will rid the colony of him,'' he would
mutter to himself.

CHAPTER XVI

Adam Clotwortliy had watched the grow-
ing drama with Laydon, Wingfield, and
Anne in the title roles, with keen interest.

'^Sail in, sail in, John, and take the ship
by storm. I tell you a maiden likes a man
who overcomes obstacles, instead of pot-
tering around, mooning like a calf. You
leave her too much alone, and it is no tell-
ing what fancies she will get into her giddy
pate. ' '

^^I am not going to furnish food for her
mirth with Wingfield,^' answered John
angrily, recollecting the previous attempts
to see her which had been met by a drastic
snubbing. "I shall guard her in every
way I can, but I have made the last
advances I intend to.''

^^John, you are what I call a simon-pure
fooL''

'^Fool or no fool, I am a man.'' And
with that unanswerable argument Laydon
walked away.

Turning over various plans in his head
whereby he might help John, Adam was
startled as the shadow of Wingtield fell
in front of him.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 117

^^Take your hulking carcass out of the
path of a gentleman/^ said Wingfield to
Adam.

* ' Gentleman ! ' ' inquired Adam. ^ ^ Where
is he? I do not see him.''

^ ' Do you dare to insult your betters, you
base-born cub?"

^ ^ Base-born ! ' ' yelled Adam. ^ ' My ances-
tors come from better stock than yours,
seeing they were honest men."

** Honest men! ^^ly, you cannot look
an honest man in the face."

^'I will tell you how that happened,"
replied Adam, restored to good humor by
the thrust he had given Wingfield.
^'Originally both eyes looked in the same
direction, but whenever I was talking to
an honest man I had to keep one eye upon
the rogue. The strain was too much and
they parted company. The blue eye, being
the keener, I keep fixed on rogues, and if
you observe closely, you will see that my
brown eye is looking up the stream. I leave
you to guess the direction of the blue one.
I'll tell you something else. If you do not
keep your paw out of a certain little mat-
ter we both know of, John Laydon will
send you to feed the fishes."

Ripping out his sword, Wingfield made
a thrust at Adam. Laydon, who had just

118 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

come up behind, caught the sword as it
descended, and wrenching it out of his
hand, hurled it into the bushes. Without
further parley, he fell upon Wingfield and
pounded him unmercifully. The ex-Presi-
dent's rage made him forget the social dis-
tance between the carpenter and the
gentleman, and he gave blow for blow in
return. Adam, watching every advantage,
and with head lowered, charged upon
Wingfield from behind like a battering-
ram.

The noise and scuffle brought President
Smith hurriedly to the spot.

' ' Stop ! ' ' I command you, ' ' he thundered.

The enraged combatants sullenly parted,
and Wingfield began a tirade of abuse
against low-born scullions who presumed
to strike a gentleman.

^ ' It is no use for you to talk to me, Wing-
field. I know you and haven't forgotten
the message you sent Opechancanough.
Better look to yourself or else you will
find that a dungeon in England is much
worse than a residence here.''

CHAPTER XVII

Pocahontas, having heard of the arrival
of the white squaw's at Jamestown, soon
came to see them for herself. Seeking out
Smith as usual, she plied him with ques-
tions concerning them.

'^Pocahontas wants to see the white

? J

squaws.

''So you shall, my child,'' replied her
"father.'' Taking her hy the hand he led
her to the cabin of Mrs. Forrest. ' ' This is
my little Indian maid, madam, of whom you
have heard me speak."

Motherly Mrs. Forrest tried by signs to
make her understand that she was glad to
see her. Helped out by Pocahontas's
imperfect English and Smith's interpreta-
tions, the conversation proceeded to the
mutual satisfaction of both.

"Here is a maiden of the pale faces, my
child," said Captain Smith as Anne came
tripping up with rutfs in her hands, fresh
from the clear starching. "Well, Mistress
Anne, how is your health this bright morn-
ing!" said Smith, at the same time tilting
the winsome little face upward with his
finger.

120 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Instantly the fires of jealousy blazed in
the eyes of Pocahontas, and she stamped
her foot upon the ground.

^^Why, my child, what means this
unseemly behavior T' exclaimed Smith.
*^Come, show your kindly smile to the
white maiden. '^

^^ Pocahontas likes not— she hates— she
will kill!" exclaimed the Indian maid, her
voice rising in frenzy at every breath.

'^Mind her not, Anne, it is but the jeal-
ousy of a child.

^^My little one, your father is yours, he
belongs to you," he soothingly said, draw-
ing the trembling Pocahontas into his
encircling arms and feeling her beating
heart fluttering like a caged bird.

With much coaxing she consented to
smile upon Mrs. Forrest, but any advance
upon the part of Anne was met by a fierce
scowl. Poor Indian maid! Her loving
heart could not bear the pain of seeing her
hero give even a fleeting caress to another.

CHAPTER XVIII

The sultry August sun was slowly dying
in the west as Anne Burras, standing
before her small mirror, gave the finishing
touches to her toilet. When the stars came
out she would slip down to the ill-fated
gold stream to meet Wingfield.

Her mistress came in and noted the
preparations, glancing at the chain of gold
around her neck.

^'^^lere got you that chain, Anner^

^'It was given me by Mistress Hardcastle
when she stayed at your house last winter. ' '

^'She never was noted for sense,'*
replied her mistress. '* Servants have no
business decked in jewelry. It does not
become their station."

Pursing up her pretty lips, Anne made a
grimace at the back of her unconscious
mistress.

'^Go and attend to the setting of the
table for supper, while I look out wool for
the carding, to-morrow," continued Mrs.
Forrest.

After the supper dishes had been cleared
away and the twilight crept over the set-
tlement, Anne stole out to meet Wingfield.

122 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Gliding from tree to tree, she came upon
him standing by the stream which emptied
its rills into the James.

How handsome he was, she thought, in
his rich doublet and sad-colored cloak.
And how well the stiff ruff set off his
pointed chin and Vandyke beard. Stealing,
softly up, she touched him upon the arm.

With a muttered oath he turned upon
her. '^Oh, it is you, Anne," he said in a
relieved voice. ^^How pretty you look
to-night. If you only wore a velvet gown
and lace ruff, with a high hat and plume,
you could rival any lady at the Court of
King James.''

Poor Anne looked down upon her short
stuff petticoat and clumsy shoes, and tears
of mortification rose to her eyes and
brimmed over upon her cheeks.

^ ' Cheer up, my pretty one ! Who knows
what the future may hold for you? I can
see you in a fine house with a maid to wait
upon you, and these little hands will be soft
and white again," he whispered, drawing
her into his arms.

Adam had followed Anne, like a hunter
stalking the deer. After seeing her meeting
with Wingfield, he lumbered back for
La^^don.

^'John, they are at it again, down by

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 123

the gold stream. That pretty fool will get
herself into trouble."

Hastening to the spot with Adam in tow,
Laydon crept behind a tree, and with-
out an atom of shame listened to the
conversation.

^^How would you like to see the wonder-
ful city of Rome and sail upon the Mediter-
ranean?" Wingtield was saying. Her reply
was inaudible.

"You must not ask me when, my pretty
one ; leave that to me. ' '

Stepping from behind the tree, Laydon
placed himself in front of the couple.

' ' Take vour villainous arms from around
her, you cowardly caitiff!"

"Out of my way, you sawyer of wood!"
replied Wingfield.

"Do you intend to marry her!"
demanded Lavdon.

"Marry her?" retorted the irate Wing-
field, his pride stung at the thought and his
conceit blinding his caution. "Do you sup-
pose a gentleman of my station would
marry a servant-girl, no matter how pretty
the little fool was?"

Laydon sprang at his throat, his hot
heart thirsting for blood. Then ensued a
iierce struggle as the powerful arms of the
carpenter gripped the body of his adver-

124 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

sary and gradually forced liim backward
toward the river. But Wingfield had
learned a trick in wrestling when a boy in
England that stood him in good stead now.
With a sudden twist of his foot he sent
Laydon sprawling upon the ground, his
head striking a log in his fall. Then pounc-
ing upon the unconscious form, he heaved
it into the water.

''Murder, murder!" yelled Adam at the
top of his voice. He had taken good care
not to utter a sound so long as he thought
Laydon had the better of it and was forcing
Wingfield backward toward the river.

The colonists, hearing his yells, and
thinking that one of the dreaded attacks of
the Indians was in progress, poured from
the cabins, loading their muskets on the
run.

''Wingfield has murdered Laydon!''
cried Adam to the foremost runners. "He
jjitched him just there in the stream.''

Throwing aside their muskets, they
waded in, and lifting Laydon from the
shallow beach water bore him to the shore.
While they were trying every means to
restore life. President Smith came up and
demanded the cause of the commotion.
Adam, who had witnessed the whole affair,
quickly put him in possession of the facts,

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 125

' * Wingfield, you are a prisoner, and shall
leave for England to-morrow on the return-
ing shi]3. It is such as you who bring dis-
grace upon the colony, ' ' said the President.
'^Let his example be a warning to you,
men. As I deal with him, so will I deal
with you. ' '

Kneeling beside Laydon, he put his ear
against his breast.

''Take him up, men. He is alive. His
heart is beating. Why, who is thisf he
cried, gazing in astonishment upon the
crouching form of Anne, speechless with
horror at the scene she had witnessed.
"Can it be possible that Anne Burras is
mixed up in this disgrace? How will your
honest mother and father feel when they
hear of your conduct? Fetch Mrs. Forrest
here, Martin.''

Panting with haste, the worthy lady
answered the summons of Captain Smith.
He told her briefly of the trouble.

"You good-for-nothing baggage! You
hussy! Bread and water shall be your por-
tion until I hear from your parents ! " So
saying, the irate lady caught hold of the
girl, and dragged her off to the cabin. Ar-
riving there, she locked the unhappy Anne
in her room. "You will stay there, miss,
for a week, and meditate on your folly. ' '

12G The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Throwing herself upon her bed, the
miserable girl gave way to a passionate
outburst of tears. Through the ensuing
week her mistress came three times a day
with food and drink. The harsh threat of
bread and water was not carried out bj^
Mrs. Forrest. After her anger wore off,
pity for the misguided girl crept into her
heart, and she began to make excuses to
herself for Anne, and even defended her
against the just indignation of Mr. Forrest.

^'You know, Tom, 'tis all that villain's
fault, ' ' argued Mrs. Forrest, with feminine
consistency piling the entire blame upon
Wingfield. ^'x\nne is barely more than a
child, no wonder her sillv head was turned
by the flattery of a fine gentleman. Her
betters have fallen into that trap more than
once before. And you know, Tom," she
continued, as she heaped his breakfast
plate with broiled fish, fresh from the glow-
ing coals, ^'we w^ere young ourselves not so
many years ago, so don't be so hard upon
the lassie," and the girlish light of court-
ship's days beamed again in her eyes as
she drew" back his head and touched his
cheek with soft kisses.

"Ah, you are at your old tricks of
wheedling again," replied her husband, all
the w^hile delighting in her caresses.

CHAPTER XIX

"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial."

sang a poet, and so it was with Anne.
Mortified pride and love of flattery were
washed away in copious tears, and then the
stings of remorseful conscience completed
the good work. Her vanity crumbled into
ashes, leaving only scars upon her heart,
which was really pure and good at bottom.

At the end of that long week— made up
as it seemed to Anne of hundreds of years
— Mrs. Forrest came into the room, care-
fully shielding the lighted candle with her
hand against the draft. Placing the can-
dle upon the chest of drawers, she sat
down beside the girl, huddled up in a chair
with her face bowed upon her knees.

^'I brou^'ht vou awav from vour mother,
Anne, and the responsibility of your wel-
fare lies heavy upon my heart. Your con-
duct since coming here has grieved me
sorely, but I still believe you are a good
girl, and I hope this affair will be a lesson
to you. If you live long enough, my child,
you will learn that the love of a good man,
no matter how humble his station, is of

128 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

priceless value. It is no more to be com-
pared to the idle words of a brainless fop
than a diamond is to a bit of glass,'' she
continued, waxing eloquent as her emo-
tions arose. ''Come now, my child, is not
your heart sore when you think of your
mother ? ' '

''Oh, more than I can tell you," cried
Anne, throwing herself on her knees and
burying her face in her mistress's lap.
"Indeed I did not mean to do wrong, I was
only thoughtless."

"I believe you, Anne," replied Mrs.
Forrest, smoothing the girl's disheveled
curls, "and in the future I know you will
be all that John Laydon could desire."

"He will never forgive me, he is so
proud," sobbed Anne.

"Compel his admiration by your con-
duct, and love will have its way again.
True love, my child, forgives many a deep
wound inflicted bv the hand of those that
are dearest. Now you must go to bed, and
let this coming Sunday be the beginning of
your new life." And then the repentant
maiden, soothed and comforted, was tucked
into bed by the kindly ministrations of a
heart that understood and pitied.

In the days that followed, a changed
Anne could be seen going about her house-

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 129

hold duties. Her sad face and down-east
eyes tugged strongly at the heartstrings of
the now recovered John as he sat among the
men in church.

He tried to steel his heart against her.
^^No," he said to himself, '^I am not going
to be fooled by her again. She can go her
way, and I will go mine. ' '

Nevertheless, his eyes constantly wan-
dered over to where she sat with bent head
over her prayer-book.

At the close of the morning prayer, good
Chaplain Hunt stood forth, and in simple
words told the touching story of the love
and forgiveness of the Incarnate God, and
then went on to speak of charity, the love
that covers all things.

Two large tears rolled down Anne's
cheeks as she listened. The shining drops
caught the wandering eye of John, and for
some reason he found it hard to swallow
the lump in his throat. ^^All sham, done
for effect !'' he angrily muttered.

Coming out of church, he was joined by
Adam Clotworthy. ^^Look here, John,
haven't you punished that poor girl long
enough! You haven't spoken to her since
August, and now 'tis the first of October.
If you do not do something soon, I'll marry
her myself. ' '

130 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

^^A pretty bridegroom yon would make,
with a body like a hogshead set on
skewers ! * ^

^^That makes no difference when a girl
comes to her senses as Anne has. She
knows now how to value an honest man's
affections. His looks play but a small part.
I saw her looking at yon when we were
coming out, and if you could have seen that
look you would go straight to her, unless
3^ou have a block of stone for a heart. ' '

John had seen the look, but he did not
enlighten Adam.

After the midday meal, John, too rest-
less to stay indoors, strolled forth into the
hazy sunshine, trying to still the hungry
longing at his heart.

Back of Mrs. Forrest's cabin a drooping
elm threw its shadow over the brown grass
and plumy golden-rod beneath. On a lit-
tle cushion of rootlets sat Anne, resting her
cheek on her hand and gazing away over
the James. She was so deeply absorbed in
thought, that the crackling of dried twigs
under John's feet did not disturb her.

''Anne, are you sorrj^l" *

With a start she looked up at him. No
answer came from her lips. Lower and
lower bent her head over her hands as she
twisted and untwisted her fingers in an

The Daughter of Virginia Dare '131

effort at self-control. The sunshine, shim-
mering through the trees, sought out the
gold in the chestnut curl?; escaping from
beneath her cap.

^'You have not answered me, Anne."

Sob after sob shook her little body, but
no words came. The sight was too much
for eJohn, who had all a man's horror of
tears. Sitting down beside her, he took
one of her little hands in his ; it no longer
resisted his pressure.

'^Will the words not come! Then, little
one, if you really care, put your head here
on mv heart."

With an impulsive movement Anne
buried her head in his breast, and as she
wept away the follies of childhood, her
woman's heart acknowledged its love.

'^How long are you going to keep me
waiting, Anne?"

''T\nienever you want me, John, I will
come. ' '

''I want you now, my little one. And,
Anne, I will try to give you all the pretty
things I can get by honest toil."

''Don't, John; don't. I do not want
them," she cried, her heart stung by his
loving words. "I only want you, John;
I desire nothing else."

''Tom," cried Mrs. Forrest to her hus-

132 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

band, ^^come here quickly. Look through
the window. Is it not a pretty sight! The
Lord has answered my prayer.^'

Looking out, he saw John Laydon under
the trees, holding Anne in his arms.

^^Come away," said his wife, taking him
by the sleeve; ^^ 'tis too sacred a scene for
us to look upon. ' '

It took but a few weeks for Anne to be
ready for John, for an elaborate trousseau
was not necessary. Mrs. Forrest, true to
her feminine instincts, delighted in sorting
out linen from her store as a wedding pres-
ent for the happy couple.

On a lovely autumn day, when the haze
of the Indian-summer cast its dreamy spell
over the little church, John and Anne took
each other for better or worse, as long as
life should last.

Adam acted as master of ceremonies,
marshaling in the Indians invited to the
first marriage in Virginia. Standing by
Captain Smith, and as close to the bridal
couple as possible, was Pocahontas, her
curious eyes watching every movement
made by Mr. Hunt and the wedding party.
When John placed the simple gold band
upon the finger of Anne, the Indian maid
held out her left hand to Captain Smith,
and with a humoring smile he made an

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 133

imaginary circlet around the marriage
finger.

As soon as the ceremony was completed
she stepped up to Anne and held out a
bundle of soft doeskins.

^^ Pocahontas likes the white squaw now.
White squaw has warrior of her own. ' '

CHAPTER XX

So much time had been lost in the build-
ing of Ratcliffe's house, during which work
the men had been forced to leave off the
tilling of the garden to hew and build, that
little corn had been planted, and as usual
the Indian was depended upon for supplies.

An unlooked-for obstacle presented itself.
The cunning Powhatan refused to barter
corn for beads and trinkets. He was ris-
ing rapidly to the highwater mark in the
art of finance. The unwise gifts of New-
port had opened his eyes to the possibili-
ties of commerce. Guns, swords, and
hatchets were now the only recognized
moneys for which a bushel of corn could be
bought.

Food must be had, but President Smith
had no mind to give into the Indians ' hands
the instruments of death. Instead, he
seized the corn at the muzzle of the gun,
and when that failed, Indian villages went
up in flames. Of course these summary
proceedings widened the gap between
Indian and white man. Constantly some
man's scalp went to add luster to the name
of a brave.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 135

Smith not only procured food, but forced
the colonists to work. A new fort was
erected, new settlements established along
the James, and the ground tilled as spring
came on, and seed planted for the next
year's harvest.

Meanwhile, the London Company at
home was listening to the lies of Wingfield
and Ratcliffe. President Smith, they
claimed, was entirelv to blame for the con-
dition of the settlement; he had upset all
law and order, and seized the presidency;
his wanton cruelty to the savage was with-
out excuse, besides, he had not found the
South Sea and Raleigh's lost colony— and
there was no one to tell that the unconscious
Pocahontas held in her life the answer to
their search.

The existing state of affairs must be
altered, so the learned Company appointed
a governor to take the place of Smith and
rule with militarv law. A fleet of nine ves-
sels, with men, women and children, should
be sent as soon as possible with provisions,
and all needful supplies. Captain Smith
and his thirty true men were to be sent
home. Truly a munificent reward for brave
effort and patient endurance !

Meanwhile President Smith, unconscious
of coming disgrace, was away on a forag-

136 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

ing expedition. On the return journey,
being tired and worn out with toil, he lay
down in the bottom of the boat and went
to sleep.

A little spark, as tiny as a pea, floated
from a pipe and settled on the powder
pouch suspended from his belt.

Dreamless slumber— a plunging and ris-
ing of the boat— liquid fire !

The unfortunate Captain, screaming with
pain, threw himself into the water. His
horrified men could scarcely master his
struggles as they pulled him aboard and
rapidly rowed for home. No doctor skilled
in burns was there to tend him; onlv the
clumsy fingers of men applied the soothing
oil and lint to his burnt body.

The news of his accident was carried by
lurking Indians to Powhatan and came to
the ears of Pocahontas. Her ^ ^father''
hurt— wounded ! The words beat upon her
dazed brain like the strokes of a lash.

She must go to him. Let Powhatan kill
if he would. Speeding under cover of
night, with soothing ointments known to
her tribe, she came to Jamestown.

^^Mv father, my father! Pocahontas
wants her father."

Tenderly and gently Mr. Hunt led her
to the bedside of John Smith.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 137

''Has my little child come to see her
father r' said the sick President. ''He has
missed his little one. She has not come to
see him lately.''

"Powhatan not let Pocahontas come.
She has herbs to make her father well."

Turning to Mr. Hunt she said, "Yon ask
Great Spirit to make Pocahontas's father
well, Pocahontas give many gifts in
return. ' '

"I have already done so, my child. The
Great Spirit does not need to be bought
with gifts. He loves your father more than
even you do."

But she shook her head in unbelief of
this last assertion.

Finding that his wounds were of too seri-
ous a nature for simple remedies. Smith
determined to return home on Captain
Argall's ship, now lying at her moorings
in the harbor.

Pocahontas was kneeling by his side
when he told her of his coming departure.
Locking her hands together, she bowed her
head upon them and abandoned herself to
grief.

' ' Do not grieve so, my child ; your father
will still love you. If I get well, doubtless
I shall come back to you, or perhaps you
may come across the sea to me. Then I can

138 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

show you all the wonderful things I have
told you of. Dry your tears, little one, they
hurt me."

Passing her hands across her eyes, she
brushed away the tears.

•

'^Pocahontas will do nothing to hurt her
father. See, the smile has chased the tears

away. ' '

When the day came for his departure a
stretcher was prepared by his sorrowing
friends and he was placed upon it.

''Let Pocahontas hold his head once
more," she pleaded, and the men let her
have her desire. His friends took up the
stretcher and the little procession moved
toward the ship, Pocahontas holding the
head of the sick man in her arms. She fol-
lowed them into the cabin and knelt in her
accustomed place by his side. Drawing her
head down, he pressed a fatherly kiss uj)on
her brow and bade her leave him.

Standing on the beach she watched the
receding ship as long as it could be seen,
and again did Eleanor Dare's soul bid
good-by to a loved one. In her grand-
daughter's heart love had taken the form
of hero worship. The lovely jacqueminot
bud Was just beginning to unfold under the
kisses of the sun, when fate snatched the
burning rays away.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 139

Turning to lier canoe, rocking idly on
the water, she sprang in and sailed away,
not to revisit Jamestown again for three
long years.

CHAPTER XXI

After the departure of Captain Smith
the colony went back to its old habits of
laziness and mutiny. In August four of
the nine vessels sent out from England
arrived with the dreaded plague on board.
Then did death outstrip the Indian. Fever-
stricken victims by the hundred lay dead
and dying, and the bodies of the dead were
dug up and eaten by the starving.

Captain George Percy, ill and feeble,
tried vainly to stem the rising tide of
disaster, but no mortal hand could prevent
the Starving Time setting its fangs in the
bodies of the remaining colonists. "When
the wrecked voyagers who had been on the
ill-fated Sea Venture arrived from the
island of Bermuda there were only sixty
gaunt, wild-eyed settlers to greet them.
Among these living skeletons were George
Percy, John Laydon, his wife Anne, and
Adam Clotworthy.

Desolation and death, famine and plague !
No heart was courageous enough to brave
them.

*^Home! Take us home from this place
of pestilence," begged the stricken ones.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 141

^*Not one happy day have we ever enjoyed
here. ' '

Brave Admiral Somers listened to their
pleadings. Jamestown was to be abandoned
to its savage owners again. Not a tear was
shed as they sailed away from the ruinous
settlement.

^^Home to England, where I can see
again the brimming cups of sack and
haunch of roasted beef/' came in a low
whisper from the emaciated Adam, lying
upon the deck of the Patience. ^^ John, do
you think I will ever live to get there ? ' '

They had proceeded but a few miles down
the James when they were met by a boat
rowed at full speed.

"Stop, turn back! Lord De La Warre,
Governor of Jamestown, is lying at Point
Comfort, and commands your return,'*
cried Captain Brewster. "He has full
store of provisions and all things need-
ful. ' '

Reader, have you ever passed through
some ordeal that racked the body and unbal-
anced the mind until it was like a loosened
rock clinging to the side of a toppling
crag? Have you ever been delivered from
this ghastly position, only to find your-
self plunged into the blackness of some
unfathomable abyss I Then you can under-

142 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

stand the feelings of these niiserahle
wretches on this June day in the year 1610.
They were forced to return to Jamestown,
for military law ruled and a life could be
easily taken.

Back to the dismantled fort, to rotting
cabins and filthy streets, they sorrowfully
went. The cannon were dug up from near
the gate of the palisade and some prepara-
tion hastily made for the reception of the
Governor, who arrived on Sunday.

Under his strict though kindly rule they
repaired the cabins, built more, and refur-
nished the church with cedar pews, ebony
altar, and font. The streets were cleaned,
the gardens cleared, and comfort reigned
once more. Sunshine again shone out
among the fast fleeting clouds, but a small
cloud, no bigger than a man's hand, still
hung low down on the horizon.

The untiring efforts of the Governor
received a sudden check. Sickness racked
his frame— sickness that would not loose
its hold. Back to England went Lord De
La Warre, leaving George Percy again in
charge.

Up rose the small cloud on the horizon
with lightning speed, and swelled in volume
as it came. Anarchy, mutiny, murder by
the savages once more held full sway. Then

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 143

came Captain Argall, a second Ratcliffe,
and added to the trouble. After a year of
mntiny under his governorship, Governor
Dale ari'ived to take the hehn of state.

The storm was over. Its last rugged
edges were swept away under the rigid
rule of tliis stern old Governor. Each day
he presided over the court to mete out pun-
ishment for the infraction of his laws.

"This man, your excellency, was caught
railing against your commands," said a
soldier who did police duty.

''Take him to the smith v and bore a

ft/

hole in his tdngue. That will silence him
for a while, ' ' ordered the Governor.

"Charles Anderson says he is not
religiously inclined and refuses to go to
church, your worship."

"Bread and water and daily whipping
until he is in a proper frame of mind,"
ordered the Governor.

"Say, John," said Adam Clotworthy,
meeting Laydon on the street, "things
begin to wear as fair a look as they do in
old England. Yesterday I was over to Mas-
ter John Eolfe's plantation at Varina. He
has started to grow tobacco on a large scale.
I wouldn't be surprised if it does not
become our staple commodity, now that
Governor Dale has abolished the common

144 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

storehouse and given every man a house
and land that he can call his own."

^ ' He has solved the problem of the settle-
ment of Jamestown, ' ' said Lay don. ^ ^ Even
those who were the ringleaders in mutiny
have settled down into sober and indus-
trious farmers. Give a man some object
in life and the good will surely come upper-
most. You know James Hutchinson, the
wildest rake in the colony? I came by his
bit of land just now and saw him weeding
his cotton patch. Well, I must be moving.
I have to hill up my corn. I hope to get
at least fifty good bushels this year."

CHAPTER XXII

Far away on the Potomac, where the
steamers now toll their bells in passing,
Pocahontas had lived for the last three
years, in the wigwam of Japazaws.

Roaming by the river's bank she lived
over again the happy days when she had
called Smith ^'father" and he had called
her ^^ child." What had become of him—
was he still living? she wondered. She
would ask Powhatan to send some one to
England to find out, for she could not bear
to go to Jamestown and miss him at every
turn.

Looking down the river she descried a
ship approaching, filled with white men.
Calling Japazaws, and pointing to the ship,
she said, '^Pocahontas will not see the pale-
faces now. Her heart is sorrowful, for
there is no friendship between us. Pow-
hatan does not heed the pleadings of his
best-loved daughter."

Hastening down to the shore, Japazaws
welcomed with loud shouts of joy Captain
Argall and his crew.

'^ Japazaws is greatly honored by your
coming. Opechancanough has told him of
the presents you bestow. Everything in his

10

146 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

poor village is at your command." And he
bade his squaw bring refreshments for his
guests and tobacco for their pipes.

Pocahontas, who had disappeared, heard
the echo of their voices and found herself
unable to keep away. Perhaps they could
tell her something of her ''father." She
must find out. Coming forward, she added
her welcome to that of the Indians.

"Pocahontas once loved your people and
came to Jamestown to visit them."

''I have heard many kind things of her
whom the pale-faces call the 'Blessed Poca-
hontas,' " Argall replied.

"Has the chief with the shining body
returned?" she inquired.

"No, he is dead," replied Argall, who
was of the nature that does not mind tell-
ing a wanton lie.

She turned sorrowfully away. All links
with the happy past were broken. There
was no one at Jamestown now who would
love her as her "father" had done. It
would only bring pain to visit there again.

While Argall was talking with Poca-
hontas a happy inspiration seized him. He
would take her, by force if necessary, to
Jamestown as a hostage of peace between
Powhatan and the settlers. Fame would
come to him and no doubt he would be

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 147

rewarded. Nothing could be better, he
thought, and he immediately set to
work on the well-known greed of Japa-
zaws to gain his end.

^ ' Come down to the ship, Japazaws ; I
have something to show yon.'^

When they arrived there he brought
forth a kettle, and placing it before the
longing eyes of the Indian, said, '*Look at
this copper kettle; see how it shines and
glistens. Only great kings use them— not
even Powhatan has one like it.''

^'How many bushels of corn does the
white chief want!"

'^Not one bushel shall it cost you,"
replied Argall. ' ^ Only a little thing, a very
little thing, I ask in return."

''What does the great chief desire?"
inquired the crafty Japazaws.

''Bring Pocahontas as a captive to my
ship to-morrow and the kettle is yours.
Also I will bestow many presents of guns
and hatchets when next you visit James-
town. ' '

"Japazaws dare not. Powhatan would
kill," said Japazaws.

"He need never know. Tell him that I
took her and then turned the great guns of
my ship upon you. ' '

"It is enough. Japazaws will do it to

148 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

show his love for the white man. Forget
not the copper kettle/'

Back went Japazaws and told his wife
of his bargain, but she was very unwilling
to betray Pocahontas.

''Japazaws will beat hard if the squaw
not obey.'' At that threat she quailed and
consented to aid him.

The next day she told Pocahontas that
she and her husband were going on board
the white man's ship and wanted her to go,
too. There would be no danger, she said.
The pale faces were friends. All would be
well.

Captain Argall received them with a
great show of friendship and spread a feast
in their honor. English food that they had
never tasted was placed before them.

''Taste of this, Japazaws," said Argall,
handing a dish of veal sweetbread to him.

Japazaws took a huge mouthful, rolled
it around once or twice, and then s]Dit it out
upon the floor. "Ugh! Bad mush!"
exclaimed the disgusted chief.

After the repast was over Argall enticed
Pocahontas into the gun-room to look at
the wonderful cannon. Wbile she was mar-
veling at the great guns he said, "You are
to go with me to Jamestown as a hostage
for your people. There will be peace with

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 149

Powhatan, and the murder of our people
will cease/'

A long heart-broken wail floated over the
water. In came running Japazaws and his
squaw to learn the cause of her sorrow.

''Japazaws take Pocahontas back. The
white chief would make her a captive,"
cried the unhappy girl.

''I will turn the great guns on his wig-
wams and kill his people if he carries you
away/' said Argall.

All the while Japazaws was making the
welkin ring with howls. ''How is Japa-
zaws to answer to Powhatan ? " he yelled, at
the same time treading hard on the pet
corn of Argall to remind him of the copper
kettle.

As ArgalPs ship moored at the landing
at Jamestown many of the settlers came
down to meet him and hear of his
adventures.

"^Tiom think you I have brought back
with me, as a captive!" cried Argall
pompously.

"Not Powhatan?" exclaimed Laydon.

"Pshaw! might as well try to put salt
on a snipe's tail as catch that old rat. But
I have the next best thing— Pocahontas, his
daughter." Then he narrated the manner
of her capture.

150 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

^^How could vou have the heart to do
itr' said a woman standing by.

^'I can do anything that will redound to
my own personal gain/' replied Argall.

^^You men are ever hunting down some
poor female/' remarked the wife of a set-
tler, who had recently bought her for forty
pounds of tobacco.

^^I take notice that they are very careful
to be caught," returned Argall. ^'I will
now fetch the captive from the gun-room. ' '

Disappearing within the ship, he pres-
ently came out leading a maiden, slow of
gait and with bowed head.

''Welcome back to Jamestown, Poca-
hontas, friend of the English, ' ' cried Adam
Clotworthy, who still retained vivid remem-
brances of her bount>^

Throwing back her head she faced the
group of colonists, and in accents of
blended scorn and pain poured forth the
recital of her wrongs :

"What is this you do to Pocahontas, daughter of

Powhatan ?
Where is the memory of her kindness?
When starvation slayed your people and sickness
Laid them low, many times she came with food.
When Powhatan plotted destruction, through sleet
And storm she came, braving her father's anger,
Because of the love she bore you.
Now Pocahontas is taken from her people and
Walks a stranger among you."

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 151

Then from among the men stepped fair-
haired, blue-eyed young Rolfe and in low
accents tried to comfort her.

^^Do not be so sorrowful, maiden. We
will be as kindred to you. John Rolfe will
be your brother and protect you with his
life. ' '

^'Let her come to me," said the matron,
Anne Laydon. She needs a woman's care.
She shall live with me and I will befriend
her." And putting her arm around the
waist of the Indian maiden she led her to
her cabin.

John Laydon had steadily prospered, and
as the first fruits of his gain he erected a
pleasant house for Anne. Furniture from
the mother country was brought over, a
piece at a time, for his cherished wife.
Now he welcomed the poor little captive in
friendlv words.

''John Laydon has not forgotten the
kindness of Pocahontas in the vears
that are past. She is welcome to his
house. ' '

''Pocahontas shall share the room with
my baby girl. Will she not love the little
papoose!" said Anne.

The Indian maid, who loved everjiihing
that was small and helpless, went down on
her knees beside the cradle to caress the

152 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

pink toes and kiss the dimpled hands of the
little two-year-old baby. In a few days the
little one could be seen holding on by the
fringe on Pocahontas 's skirt as she toddled
after her.

Under the capable supervision of the
vouns: matron Pocahontas commenced to
learn the art of housekeeping. Following
Anne, who flitted from one spot to another
like a humming-bird, she learned to manage
the spinning-wheel and loom. Various tiny
garments for the baby daughter of her
benefactress were made by Pocahontas,
whose skilful fingers soon learned the use
of the steel needle. Always some bright
bit of Indian decoration could be found
on them. She made dainty moccasins,
embroidered in beads of many colors, for
the tiny feet.

At first her Indian blood chafed against
the narrow confines of Jamestown, shut up
within the palisades ; but after a while other
forces began to work within her, and
she became more reconciled as the year
drifted bv.

Eolfe's pity and sympathy for her made
him seek her society frequently. He con-
ceived the idea of instructing her in the
Christian religion, and teaching her how to
read and speak the English language with

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 153

fluency. She constantly reminded him of a
slender lily, swaying in the breeze, and
when alone with her he always called her
Lily.

CHAPTER XXIII

A mellow afternoon in October. The
purple clusters of grapes peep invitingly
out from among the dark green leaves, and
the invitation is eagerly accepted by the
honey- and bumble-bees. Their droning
hum fills the drowsy air with booming
music.

Down to a favorite nook by the side of
the church strolled John Rolfe and Poca-
hontas for the daily lesson.

''Tell Pocahontas again of the Son of
the Great Spirit."

In fervent, glowing words he repeated
the story of the sacrifice of the Incarnate
Son of God. Springing to her feet and
throwing up her arms she cried, *^ Poca-
hontas loves the Royal Christ,'' then
falling to her knees she faltered out, ''Poca-
hontas would serve Him as the pale
faces do.''

A deep joy filled the heart of the young
teacher. One more soul for the angels to
sing over.

There was great rejoicing among the
colonists when tlie}^ heard that Pocahontas
was to be baptized, and Anne Laydon

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 155

elected herself as one of her god-mothers.
When it came to choosing a god-father,
Pocahontas settled the matter by saying,
"Adam be god-father— Pocahontas hurt
Adam— called him Okee. Pocahontas
sorry. ' '

Those who assembled to witness Poca-
hontas the Indian maid changed into
Rebecca the Christian conld not hear the
echo of the priest's voice which more than
twenty years before had baptized her
mother, Virginia Dare, on Eoanoke Island.
The echo was there, nevertheless.

tF tP "vP

Lingering fall paled slowly into the drab-
hued tints of winter. Brown stalks of dead
nettles stood stiffly up in soldierly array
from the dry stubble around their feet.
Somber cedars added a mournful note to
the cheerless scene around the churchyard.
Back and forth paced Rolfe muffled in his
cloak, with a soft dark hat pulled low over
his brow. The depressing note sounded by
winter found a ready echo within his heart,
a heart compounded of a curious mingling
of Puritan and Cavalier.

In teaching Pocahontas to speak the Eng-
lish language he had unwittingly learned
another language himself— the hitherto

156 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

unknown language of love. His uncertain
steps carried him past the grave where the
wife who had forsaken all to follow him
across to Virginia rested. Thoughts of her
and his early life in England rose up like
an accusing voice to confront the love he
was nurturing in his heart.

^Vhy had it been their misfortune that
their lands stepped together in old Eng-
land? Why were they betrothed in child-
hood, when neither knew what the future
might bring forth? Why had he weakly
yielded to the will of his father? Then he
did not care, no love had been between him
and the woman lying there ; here an accus
ing voice made itself heard— alas, she had
cared. Looks and loving attentions ranged
themselves in a phantom picture to testify
to her love.

He remembered his disapproval of the
pretty colors she had worn to try to make
herself comely in his eyes. Her face did
not possess the alluring attraction of
beautiful features, and was only re-
deemed from plainness by the change-
ful expression, indexing faithfully the
varying emotions of the heart. How
plain she had seemed when at his
command she dressed in sober gray, and
tight bands of straw-colored hair lay where

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 157

the fluffy curls had strayed. In those days
he had not thought it beseeming a godly
matron to use the crisping pins or deck the
sinful body in gay-colored robes.

A wave of pity for her, born of his
love for another, swept over him at the
remembrance of her words at the birth of
their little daughter on the island of Ber-
muda.

^^I would that it had been a boy, John.
Then perhaps you might have learned to
love the mother. ' '

No words of tender assurance and com-
fort had come to his lips ; there was nothing
in his heart to prompt them. His answer
had been another blow to her hungry
heart.

*^We must make the best of it, wife,''
he had replied, as he gravely kissed her
brow, ignoring her loving lips.

Then the little Bermuda died on the
voyage from the island to Virginia, and the
mother followed soon after they reached
Jamestown. The learned doctor spoke
wisely of a frail constitution, worn out by
the hardships of the voyage and wreck of
the ship. The wise Hippocrates might have
been mistaken— perhaps her heart had died
for lack of nourishment. He paused beside
the long grave, and resting his hand upon

158 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

the marble cross, held cominiinion with his
unloved dead.

'^"Wife, yon koow what it is to love, to
feel the heart he-at to siitTocation in the
presence of the beloved. It was not my
fault that I could not give you what you
craved. Love will not go or come at the
bidding of the will. In the clearer light in
wMcli you live let your pity and compas-
sion cover my sins of neglect. ' '

A sense of comfort stole over him which
he interpreted as forgiveness from the
spirit dwelling where there is no marrying
or giving in marriage. He felt free to
think of his love for Pocahontas.

Hardly had he settled this matter with
his conscience than Pride awoke and
demanded a hearing. Many were the weary
battles he fought with it. AVhat would his
equals think of a marriage between him and
the Indian maiden! He felt a just pride
in his honorable line of ancestry. Would
he be stooping to a mesalliance? There
were fair ladies in England whom he could
wed, for he had much influence to back him.
They would bring name and fortune to add
to his.

^'Pocahontas is a princess, daughter
of the King of Virginia,'' whispered
Inclination.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 159

'^True," retorted Pride, ^'but can an
Indian princess match with the house of
Rolf e ? ' ''

Through the rest of tiie winter Inclina-
tion and Pride wrestled for the mastery,
using- the mind and body of Rolfe as a
battleground. When spring came Pride
gathered its forces and took a determined
stand for its last great effort. Both in
front and on the flank it brought up over-
whelming arguments and charged down
upon Rolfe as he sat under a copper beech,
alone with his thoughts.

^'Listen to the contemptuous comments
of the council and the grieved reproaches
of vour relations at home, ' ' exhorted Pride.
''Hear them saying, 'Who w^ould have
thought that the stately and dignified Rolfe
could have stooped to mingle his proud
blood with that of a savage, when he could
have wedded with some gifted lady of Eng-
land!' Think of the example set the men
of the colony. They will think that with
such an illustrious precedent any Indian
woman will be a fit mate. No need to wait
for the coming of damsels from the mother
country. Families of Indian squaws and
half-breeds will be the fashion in Virginia.''

But Inclination brought the thousand
calls of birds, and flowers with love-tipped

160 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

darts to withstand the shock of the armies
of Pride. Far awav in the distance sounded
the sweet call of the partridge to its mate;
flocks of pigeons sailing overhead settled
down on the eaves of the cabins to prune
their silver breasts and lean their heads
confidingly together; up in the tree above,
a mocking-bird sang a love song of sur-
passing beauty to the coy mate brooding on
a branch below, and its liquid notes, filled
with passionate sweetness drawn from the
deep w^ells of the heart, swept the routed
ranks of Pride from the hard-fought field,
leaving Inclination victor.

Throwing back his head, Rolfe cried
aloud to the silence surrounding him:

^ ^ Let the world say what it will, I do not
care ! I have my own life to lead, and will
not bow to the dictates of any human
being.'' Over his countenance flashed a
look of exultation. ^^I love her! Love her!
Love her! She shall be mine that I may
drink of her sweetness. ' '

The slowly dying sun, resting on a bank
of lurid clouds, blazed up once more to
welcome the new disciple of the god of love.

^ ^ Come, Lily, ' ' said Eolf e on the ensuing
morning, ^^let us take the canoe and go
over to the pond where the lilies are in
bloom.''

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 161

As long as they were in sight of the
palisades surrounding the settlement he
rowed with strong vigorous strokes, but
when the winding of the shore hid them
from view he ceased and let the boat drift
idly that he might feast his eyes on the
glowing beauty of Pocahontas, who with
half averted face was trailing a slender
hand through the amber water. How
exquisite was the line of beauty sweeping
from the nape of her neck along the grace-
ful curve of the spine! What could rival
the pomegranate flower upon her cheek?

' ' Fool, fool, ' ' muttered Eolf e inwardly to
himself, ^'to weigh for one single moment
love for that flower with cold critical
Pride. '^

Picking up the paddles again, he sent
the canoe into a shadowed pond filled with
water-lilies, and canox3ied in green foliage
picked out in golden sunbeams. Close by
the bank the water-lilies grew thickest.
There he rested again, while Pocahontas
filled her lap with the blossoms. Gathering
two or three, she held them off at arm's
length to admire their beauty, bestowing
on them a loving glance that gave a jealous
pang to Rolfe. A green and gold humming-
bird darted down on gauzy wings to sip the
honey glittering like dewdrops within their

162 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

powdered stamens. Pocahontas held her-
self motionless, hardly breathing lest the
tiny sprite should dart away. A faint
tremor of her arm, and lo, it was gone.

Leaning forWard and fixing his burning
gaze upon her, Eolf e said :

^'Lily does not look at John as she used
to do. Her eyes hide aw'ay under the
fringed lashes. Is she angry with him?"

^ ' Pocahontas could not be angry with her
friend," she murmured, busying herself
with the lilies lying in her lap.

^ ^ Will Lilv care when John leaves James-
town, and goes to England, never to
return ? ' '

"John leave Pocahontas alone?" gasped
the fear-stricken girl, clutching at her
breast and scattering the lilies in every
direction.

His answer w^as written in her working
features and heaving bosom.

"Nay, Lily, John did not mean it; he
was onlv tr^dng to see if vou cared as he
did," he exclaimed, springing to her side
and crushing the lily petals under foot in'
his haste to reach her.

Drawing her to his breast, he pressed his
cheek against her hair. "John loves you
better than life. Will you come to his
cabin and be his dearly loved wife?"

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 163

For a few moments she lav on his breast
as if stunned, without power to move or
speak. In one hrief instant he has stabbed
her with pain and offered her his love.

''Lily has not answered John."

Eaising her head she said with a mourn-
ful smile, ''Pocahontas was exceeding sor-
rowful when her 'father' went away, but
no knife pierced her heart as it did just
now. ' ' She stroked his cheek with a caress-
ing" hand, and outlining his lix)s with a
dainty forefinger continued, "Let these
lips say again, 'John will not leave Poca-
hontas alone.' She will fade away as the
flowers do when the frost spirit lays his
black hand upon them. ' '

"John could not leave his treasure
alone," he replied, crushing her to his
breast and covering her face and hands
with passionate kisses. "My heart's dar-
ling, John could not live unless he could see
the light in these dear eyes. Thus and thus
he loves them," imprinting a kiss on each.
Bending back her head, his lips sought
in a long clinging pressure the cupid's kiss
nestling in the hollow of her throat. "Now
let my darling say she loves John better
than all else in the world. ' '

Leaning over the boat as far as his
jealous arm would let her, she gathered a

164 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

tightly closed bud, a half-open one and a
full-blown lily. Laying them on her lap,
she said in a low sweet voice:

^'Pocahontas will give John his answer
in the language of the lily. Many moons
ago— ah, so many moons it seems to the
lily— a tightly closed bud slumbered upon
its bed of green leaves, not knowing or car-
ing for the world -beyond. One morning a
sunbeam came from the east and showered
its smile upon her. New throbs of life
pulsated in her heart as she rocked upon
the ripples. Under its sunny smile the
green mantle parted and showed the white
satin petals beneath. She called the sun-
beam ' father. ' A dark cloud arose and hid
the sunbeam, leaving the half-awakened
lily to breast the storm of sorrow and
loneliness. Eude hands tore her from her
resting-place to plant in strange waters.
Longing for the father sunbeam beat the
lily downward on its red brown stem. Then
came another sunbeam and sent its cheer-
ing warmth straight to the heart of the
lily. Stronger and stronger grew the sun-
beam as the day grew older. Light, hope,
and joy thrust apart the green mantle and
trembling petals, laying bare the quivering
golden heart wide open to the sun. Has
Pocahontas answered Johnf

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 165

Bowing his head upon his breast, he mur-
mured, "0 God, I am not worthy of the
great love of two such woman hearts.''

Love had taught him how to measure the
rich gift of his dead wife's heart.

It was with great reluctance that he left
this earthlv Eden to row back to James-
town. He must write to Governor Dale and
obtain his consent to his marriage with
Pocahontas, now the Christian maid
Rebecca.

Much to his surprise, a speedy answer
giving consent to the nuptials came from
the bluff Governor. An early day was
appointed for the wedding and an in\dta-
tion sent to Powhatan.

That grim old veteran had been filled
with rage when he learned of his daughter 's
capture by Argall. Messengers sent to bar-
ter for her ransom had been chased from
his doors. Nevertheless, during her two
years of captivity the murder of the colo-
nists ceased. Security and peace had been
brought to the settlement by the ^^ Blessed
Pocahontas."

Rallying his fast-failing powers, he now
attempted a dignified oration in which he
gave his consent to Pocahontas 's marriage,
but ere he reached its end, love for the long-
absent daughter and the loneliness of old

1G6 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

age, shattered his feeble attempt at dignity.
His voice trailed away in a plaintive lament.

^'Powhatan is old, his davs are few. Let
there be peace between the real man and
the pale-face. Opechancanough shall come
with Nantaquas, bearing wedding garments
for Pocahontas and presents for the new
son, Eolfe.'' Raising his palsied hands,
only to let them fall helplessly into his lap
again, he murnmred in a far-away voice,
''Powhatan is wearv— the warriors are call-
ing to him from the liappy hunting-grounds.
Let the pale faces depart. ' '

On the appointed day Anne Laydon,
resplendent in matronly dignity, dressed the
bride in the Indian costume which she was
to wear for the last time.

A mantle of pigeon feathers, gleaming
in iridescent colors against a shimmering
gray background, covered a fawn-colored
skirt embroidered in ruby-colored beads.
Her flowing black hair was held in place
by the rope of pearls she wore when first
she met CajDtain Smith.

The interior of the church had been
decorated with great branches of laurel and
trailing honeysuckle. Fragrant water lilies
were banked upon the altar.

Up the aisle stalked Opej;iehanganough
and Nantaquas, son of Pocahontas, both

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 167

decorated in all the glory of the Indian
brave. Faces and arms were tatooed in
birds and reptiles to do honor to the mar-
riage of the Pearl of the Powhatans.

As Rolfe placed the plain gold band
upon her finger he felt her hand tremble
and pressed it to give her courage. Did she
feel the imaginary circlet which long ago
Smith had traced upon her finger?

' ' I pronounce you man and wife. Whom-
soever God has joined together, let no man
put asunder," said the priest. As he
ceased a quivering shaft of sunlight poured
through the altar window, wrapping the
kneeling couple in a shimmering veil of
gold.

CHAPTER XXIV

For two years Pocahontas had kept
sweet the ingle-nook at Varina for her hus-
band. Then she was crowned with the dia-
dem of motherhood. A baby boy came to
weld into an indissoluble bond their loving
hearts.

When night stole over the plantation and
the tallow candles were lit in the sconces
Rolfe would sit by the fire puffing clouds
of smoke from a curiously carved pipe pre-
sented by Nantaquas, and plan for the edu-
cation of the little son lying asleep in the
cradle which Pocahontas kept in motion
with her foot while she sewed on tiny baby
garments.

^^Lily, we will take him to England and
place him at Cambridge. There he will
grow into a famous man, and by and by
take a wife as his father did before him."

With a jealous movement she bent over
the sleeping babe, as if to protect him from
unknown dangers.

'^Nay, John, Pocahontas will not give her
son to any maiden. He is her own, and she
will not let him go from her across the
seas.''

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 169

i(

Ah, Lily, you are like all mothers,
jealous of every maiden as soon as a son
is born to her," he laughingly replied. *^I
would not separate you from our boy, he
needs his mother too much. Whenever he
goes, you shall accompany him. Your
kindness to the colonists, when they were in
suffering, has long ago reached England.
All London rinsrs with vour fame and thev
long to see you. Wealth has come to me
through my tobacco plantation, and my
darling shall have rich robes of gorgeous
hues to enhance her loveliness and vie with
the jewels glistening in her hair.''

Then a slender form, gowned in sober
gray, with smooth bands of light hair under
a plain cap, flitted before his vision. With
a frown of impatience he quickly banished
the unwelcome vision.

The words spoken half in jest, half in
earnest by Eolfe, came true. One day he
came running into the cabin waving a let-
ter in his hand.

^^Lily, I have just received this let-
ter commanding me to bring the Lady
Rebecca''— bowing low to her as he spoke
— ^Ho England, along with her attendants.
She is to be presented at court under the
chaperonage of Lady De La Warre, and
will be the guest of the London Company.

170 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

What has my lady to say to her humble
husband concerning her preparations for
departure?''

''The will of John is the will of Poca-
hontas/' answered the obedient wife.

"Then, sweet one, we must make all
haste possible, as we travel with Governor
Dale a week hence. The plantation must
be left in charge of my man Hunter, and
we will get Mistress Laydon to come over
now and then to look after your goods and
chattels so that your housewifely heart
may be at rest. I shall be glad to see old
England again, and proud to show my
darling to my relations over there."

Busy was the week that followed, both
for Eolfe and Pocahontas; he making
arrangements for a long absence and she
putting in order the dearly loved home.

All Jamestown was agog w'ith the news
of Pocahontas's presentation at court. A
halo of new interest surrounded her.

Elding home from the fields late one
evening, Eolfe saw Adam Clotworthy lean-
ing against the gate.

' ' Ha, Adam ; I am riglit glad to see you.
Have you come to take a look at the boy?"

''Yes, Master Eolfe, and I find that it is
harder to part with him than I thought.
You know he has been dear to me ever

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 171

since his birth. I feel as if I owned some
part of him, seeing that madam, his mother,
was so gracious as to choose me for her
god-father. I came to ask if you would
not take me to England as your serving-
man, and a sort of under-nurse to the boy. ' '

^'Well, Adam, I will take you. Your
devotion to the boy weighs heavily in your
favor. ' '

^' Thank you, Master Rolfe, you will
never have cause to repent of your kind-
ness as long as the boy is above ground. ' '

CHAPTER XXV

Mad merry Yule-tide was in full posses-
sion of London as the coach containing the
Lady Rebecca and her j)arty posted up from
Plymouth.

Rolfe eagerly pointed out to Pocahontas
the various places of interest as they came
into South Wark.

^'Here on our left, sweetheart, is Erber
House, once the home of Sir Francis
Drake. See that round tower lying to the
west of it I That is Paris Garden, where
the common folk resort to witness the bear-
baiting. Yonder to the northeast rises the
Tower of London. Long ago its walls
resounded with mirth and feasting, now it
is a gloomy prison house. Now turn your
dear eyes to the northwest, here, in this
direction. That pile of buildings is White-
hall, where King James holds court. Inigo
Jones, the famous architect, is building a
magnificent banqueting hall there for the
sovereign, and— Why, what is the matter
now! Our coach has come to a standstill,'^
he said abruptly.

Putting his head out of the window,
Rolfe saw a crowd of revelers dressed in

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 173

fantastic garb surging around the six white
horses drawing the coach. The oaths of
the postilion were met by the jeers of the
mob swinging upon the bridle reins.

^^Make way for the Lady Eebecca of
Virginia, you scum of South Wark. She
is the King's guest!" shouted the angry
jehu.

'^Is that the commodity you carry? Up,
my merry men, let's have a look at her,"
exclaimed the ringleader.

Up on the wheels scrambled three or four
adventurous spirits, to peer through the
coach windows at the famous Indian
princess.

'^She is fairly well-favored, saving her
copper skin," sang out the Lord of
Misrule.

The sound of his voice attracted the atten-
tion of Adam, seated beside the postilion.

''By my soul, 'tis scatterbrain Jack
Saunders. Halloa there! Jack, don't you
remember vour old comrade?"

''Father Christmas! If 'tis not bottle-
nose Adam Clotworthy. I would know your
ill-favored visage in Africa. Say, man,
how did you escape the scalping-knife, and
what has become of the Falstatf paunch
vou carried about?"

My own prowess kept off the savages,"

i I

174 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

replied Adam. ^^As to my paimch, I had
to consume my own fat during the Starving
Time, like the bears over yonder do in win-
ter. Say, lad, I thought you had been
buried long ago by your ranting spouse,
Meg. Her temper must have improved
vastlv to allow vou to go junketing around
like this."

Jack scratched his shock head, and whis-
pered with a sly wink, *'She thinks I am
down at Deptf ord, looking after repairs on
old Sir Francis Drake's ship. Come down,
Adam, and have a cup of ale for the sake
of old times. We will go to the tavern hard
by and make a roaring night of it. ' '

Adam shook his head and drew himself
up proudly. ^'I cannot. Jack, I am body-
servant to Master John Rolfe, husband of
the Lady Rebecca. Besides, there is a little
lad in there whom I love as if he were mine
own. I have to keep straight for his sake. ' '

^AHiile this conversation was taking place,
and the revelers were still tormenting the
driver, a band of London apprentices, with
clubs in their hands and flat caps on their
heads, were coming at a swinging pace
across London Bridge, from the north side
of the Thames. On perceiving the revelers
blocking the way, they raised the cry of
** Clubs, clubs!" and bore down upon the

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 175

mummers. Swingiug their cudgels right
and left upon the heads of the luckless
maskers, they quickly cut a wide path for
the coach.

Down upon the plunging horses came
the long curling whip of the postilion.
Smarting under the stinging lash, they
plunged forward under the gateway of
London Bridge, surmounted by a row of
ghastly heads set on pikes; and sweeping
forward across the bridge, swerved to the
left, rattled down the street echoing with
the postilion's horn, and drew up with a
flourish before the Mermaid Inn.

Out came the obsequious host with many
bows to greet them. ^'Why, Master Rolfe,
you are a sight to gladden the heart. And
this is the Lady Rebecca, your wife? I
need not tell you, honored madam, that all
London welcomes you."

'^Yes," said Eolfe, ''we have just had
a sample of their good will on South Wark
side of the Thames."

"The Ladv De La Warre was here a
week ago come Tuesday, to engage rooms
for your party. Master Rolfe. They are
in readiness and I will conduct you to
them," said the landlord.

LTp a crooked stairway went Pocahontas,
followed bj' her party, to a suite of rooms

176 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

overlooking the Thames. Wreaths of holly
and mistletoe hung from the ceiling and
twined around portraits of King James
and Queen Elizabeth. Through the dia-
mond-paned window could be seen the ship-
ping plying back and forth upon the
river.

While our friends were seated at break-
fast the next morning a servant appeared
with the information that Lady De La
Warre waited below to pay a visit to the
Lady Eebecca.

Rolfe hastened down to conduct this lady
to the presence of his wife. In came the
stately dame, rustling in violet silk and
Flanders lace.

^'Welcome to London, Lady Eebecca/^
she said. ^^My husband has often told me
of your many kindnesses to our colony in
Virginia. I feel that we are already
acquaint. ' '

Both ladies curtsied low to each other,
each taking note of the other's appearance
in the meanwhile.

When they w'ere seated Lady De La
AVarre said to Pocahontas, ''It will give
me much pleasure to present you at court.
I have many skilled needlewomen waiting
to provide you with a suitable robe."

Pocahontas thanks Lady De La Warre

( (

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 177

for her kind interest. She is happy to be
in the land of the pale-faces/'

^^You must come and be my guest until
after your appearance at court. My lord
seconds the invitation and sends greetings.
He is away now with the King, who is hunt-
ing at Theobalds. '^

*' Please convey our sincere respects to
your noble lord, my lady. Your kind invi-
tation we gladly accept,'' replied Rolfe,
answering for his wife.

^'Now I must take my departure," said
Lady De La Warre, rising. ^^I will send
my coach for you to-morrow.

12

:j

CHAPTER XXVI

Under the kindlv tuition of the nohle
lady Pocahontas learned the court manner
of curtsying before the King, and how to
manage the yards of train to her robe. She
was never tired of fingering its glossy folds,
but the stiff stays of the bodice were almost
unbearable to the slender frame that knew
no restraint but that of nature's making.
With Indian stoicism, she set herself to
endure civilization's instruments of torture,
so great was her desire to be in all things
an English woman.

All the trepidation of a first appearance
at court was felt by Lady De La Warre
alone. Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan,
felt no fear in the presence of her equals.

On the day of presentation Pocahontas,
accompanied by Lady De La Warre and
her attendants, entered a gaily decorated
barge that was to bear them to the palace
of the king. From the mouth of the gilded
swan at the prow, streamers of red and
blue swept upwards to the swelling sail
emblazoned with the coat-of-arms of Lord
De La Warre. Under the dipping oars of

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 179

the bargemen they sailed westward to
Whitehall at Charing Cross.

Up its broad landins: stairs, past the
great entrance leading into the surround-
ing park, they came to a halt in a lofty
antechamber reserved for the fair ladies
who were to make their initial bow to
royalty.

Arriving late, they found the Presence
Chamber already thrown open and filled
by those whose titles allowed a near
approach to the throne. Regal duchesses,
robed in velvets and satins as varied as
the tints of the rainbow, glittering in jewels
and coronets of golden strawberry leaves,
together with ladies of lesser degree,
ranged themselves in order of precedence
on both sides of a red velvet pathway lead-
ing to the foot of the throne.

Mingling with them were the Knights of
the Bath, arrayed in robes of crimson
tatfeta lined with white sarcenet, holding in
their hands ^^soft white hats, whose long
curling white plumes tapped -against their
white boots."

Beside the massive throne, studded with
diamonds, surrounded by sapphires, rubies
and pearls, that glittered like the sun among
the stars, stood Francis Bacon, Lord Chan-
cellor of England. Near him was Abbot,

180 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

Archbishop of Canterbury, clad in his
episcopal robes.

A sudden hush fell over the assemblage.
The King was entering. Preceded by the
attendants of his household, holding in their
hands their wands of of&ce, came James,
leaning on the arm of the Duke of Bucking-
ham, his latest favorite. The handsome
face and magnificently attired person of the
Duke was in startling contrast to the soiled
brown velvet dress, buttoned awry, of the
monarch.

What a spectre of a king ! Eolling eyes,
slobbering mouth, ricketty legs upholding
a body padded until it resembled a swollen
frog. Not one trace of the fascinating
beauty of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots,
had descended to him.

To his left walked grave and stately
Prince Charles, clothed in white velvet.
Then followed Queen Anne in blue velvet
and ermine attended by her ladies-in-
waiting.

When their majesties were seated and
their attendants took up their positions
behind them. Maxwell, Lord Chamberlain,
began to announce the names of those wbo
were to bear the gaze of royalty.

Titled beauties of England and Scotland
were alternatelv announced by the tactful

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 181

Maxwell, ever keeping in mind the ancient
jealousy of the two nations. The King, out
of the kindness of his heart, took especial
notice of each one.

^'The Princess Rebecca, daughter of
Powhatan, King of Virginia!'' cried Max-
well in a loud voice.

Up the velvet aisle came Pocahontas with
the gliding step of her savage ancestry.
But gone was the wild careless grace of
the wilderness. Every inch a queen she
moved. Words expressive of admiration
and wonder were whispered on every side.

Her bosom and arms were covered in a
flowing robe of yellow satin. Upon its bro-
caded surface the Fleur de Lis of France
cast lights and shadows, and its long-
pointed bodice was thickly sown with tur-
quoise and pearls. Above it rose a fluted
ruff of Mechlin lace. Three crimson plumes
were fastened by a diamond brooch among
the raven locks of her hair.

She sank gracefully down at the foot of
the throne.

^'You are verra welcome to our court,
Princess," said James. **Mony a tale of
your kindness to our colony have we heard.
We expect you at the banquet to be given
presently, where we shall have much to ask
you about vour kinsman."

182 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

The levee being over, King James and his
Queen led the way to the banqueting hall,
followed by those invited to dine in the
royal presence.

Their majesties seated themselves upon
chairs of state, chairs upholstered in orange
silk. From a crown above them hung a
purple canopy embroidered in roses, sham-
rocks, and thistles.

Pocahontas was marshaled by the Earl
of Pembroke to a low stool to the left of
Queen Anne, and somewhat below the royal
table raised upon a dais.

Her uneasy eyes traveled down the long
table in the middle of the hall, in search
of her husband. He caught her look and
smiled reassuringly. She breathed easily
again. John was there, now she could enjoy
to the full all the magnificence surround-
ing her.

Behind a railing that ran around two
sides of the room were a crowd of humble
citizens, come to view their sovereign
as he feasted. Among them was Adam,
watching intently the honors paid to Poca-
hontas.

^ ' Truly this is a queersome world. There
sits a savage from the wilds feasting with
the King, and poor Adam Clotworthy, a
citizen of London, has to stand with the

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 183

gaping crowd behind the railing. But she
is a jewel, God bless her. Adam has not
fallen so low as to envy her good fortune. ' ^
Something to this effect were the rumina-
tions of Adam as he leaned against a
balustrade to enjoy the scene.

The walls of the hall were hung in tapes-
tries of gold and purple silk garnished with
pearls and amethysts. In a gallery oppo-
site the chairs of state musicians were
playing Christmas ditties to aid the diges-
tion of the courtly guests seated at the long
table extending the entire length of the hall.
Movable buffets, holding gold and silver
plate, stood near the King's dais. His table
was set with rich gold plate once the
property of the House of Burgundy.
Agate cups held sparkling wine from the
vinevards of Bordeaux. From the door
leading to the buttery issued the Lord
Chamberlain, followed by a host of servants
bearing both delicate and substantial viands
to tickle the palates of the diners.

^^My Lord of Suffolk, fill the cup given
us by the Constable of Castile and present
it to the Princess Rebecca. We drink her
health," said James.

Filling a dragon-shaped goblet of crystal
and gold with sparkling wine, the Lord of
Suffolk presented it to Pocahontas, who

184 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

drank in acknowledgment of the good-
natured monarch's toast.

Leaning across his Queen, James said
to Pocahontas, ^'Your roval father hath
used the scalping-knife somewhat freely
upon our liege subjects, we have heard.''

^^ Powhatan worships Okee. He bends
not the knee to the Eoyal Christ. When
Warriors offend, he kills. Therefore he is
feared, not loved, ' ' she answered, sadly, un-
conscious of the irony of her reply.

^'She has you there. Cousin," laughed
the jester, Archie Armstrong, shaking his
hooded head until the bells jangled.
'* According to our copper-colored relative,
a Christian prince should not deprive his
loving siibjects of breath whereby they may
abuse him. Therefore, your reign has been
a failure, as many heads on London Bridge
can testify. Shut up the Tower— banish
the hangman— give yourself over to hawk-
ing, and place the reins of government in
my hands."

*^Ay, and a likely time they wad have of
it, I warrant, you auld rattlepated loon!"
retorted the King.

The boar's head has been consumed; the
jeweled fan of the peacock trails low in the
dust; huge pastries washed down by the
flowing bowl ; tables are cleared away,

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 185

pages run hither and thither carrying silver
basins in which the guests lave their hands
and dry them upon linen towels from the
looms of Belfast. The King is now ready
to be amused.

Lords and ladies take their places for the
ancient sword dance, and glide to the stir-
ring measures of the minstrels. Back and
forth tread the gay participants in the
stately dance. Now the lovely maidens
form in a flowery line and pass under the
arch of clashing swords of the cavaliers.

^ ^ By my saul, a braw sight, if 'twere not
for the glittering steel," exclaimed James,
turning away his shrinking gaze from the
up-lifted swords. ''Now my bonnie lads
and lassies, let us to the cards. Come, my
Lord Chamberlain, and you my Lord
Suffolk, your loving father will try his luck
at primero with you.''

Catching hold of a page flitting by, he
said, "Go yonder to Sir Walter Raleigh,
and say that the King desires his com-
l^any. " Then turning to the two lords
continued, "We will celebrate his libera-
tion from our not too hospitable Tower."

Rattling dice, clinking glasses, merry
music, laughter and jest closed the memor-
able day of Pocahontas's presentation at
court.

CHAPTER XXVII

Pocahontas was sitting at the latticed
window of her apartment at the Mermaid
Inn, striving to pierce the thick yellow fog
hanging over the river. Down upon the
narrow street lighted torches flared wildly
in the hands of linkboys conducting some
lady^s sedan chair to its destination in the
closing evening. Rolfe was playing hide
and seek among the chairs and tables with
his little son. The room was in shadow
except for the ruddy firelight dancing on
the walls.

A low knock sounded upon the paneled
door. Putting down the boy, whom he had
just caught, Rolfe went to see who it was.

^'Is the Ladv Rebecca at homeT'
inquired a deep manly voice. ^'If so, may
an old friend present himself 1 ' '

^'The Lady Rebecca will be glad to see
any one who calls himself friend," replied
Rolfe. ^^May I inquire the name of the
guest r ' '

"Captain John Smith, who knew her in
Jamestown. ' '

Flinging wide the door, Rolfe bade him
enter, and turning to Pocahontas said,

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 187

^^Wife, a friend of long ago comes to see
you. ' '

Pocahontas turned from the window, her
eyes filled with the outside gloom. At first
she could not see the visitor.

^'Have I had the misfortune to pass from
your memory, madam T' said Captain
Smith advancing into the firelight.

A tremulous cry rang through the room
"My father! My father!" and covering
her face with her hands, she tottered into
a chair. A long silence— broken only by
the boy prattling to a King Charles spaniel
—held Smith and Rolfe spellbound.
Finally she raised her head and gazed long
on the face of Smith; then coming up to
him she said in loving accents, ''Pocahon-
tas has her father again, and is his child
once more."

''Nay, Lady Rebecca, I am of too humble
a station to presume to be on familiar
terms with a princess. You must not call
me father, and I am not permitted to call
you child."

"You did promise Powhatan wbat was
yours should be his, and he the like to you;
you called him father being in his land a
stranger, and by the same reason, so must
I do you," she answered.

You are well aware of the suspicious

( i

188 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

jealousy of the King and Queen, ^' said
Smith to Rolfe. ''Try to make her under-
stand the situation."

Eolfe endeavored to explain the rigid
decorum of the King's court to her;
besides, for reasons of his own, he was not
anxious to have the friendship renewed.

Unaccustomed to obey the whims of any
monarch, except those of her father, her
eyes blazed and her features contracted.
Smith instinctively stepped back. Before
him stood not the gentle Pocahontas, but
the savage Powhatan.

Then she spoke in a deep voice of scorn-
ful anger. ^^Were you not afraid to come
into my father's country and cause fear in
him and all his people but me; and fear
you I shall call you father!" Then stamp-
ing her foot she cried, ^'I tell you I will,
and you shall call me child, and so I will
be forever and ever your country-woman. ' '
Her voice broke as she added, ^'They did
tell us always you were dead, and I knew
no other till I came to PhTnouth ; yet Pow-
hatan did commend Vetamatominakin te
seek you and know the truth, because your
countrymen will lie much. ' '

Smith gently put her oif with veiled
words and turned the conversation to a less
painful theme.

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 189*

"How is my father Powhatan, and what
has become of Opechancanough ?' '

Picking up the little boy, he petted and
fondled him, while Pocahontas gave news
of her tribe. Seeing his tender attentions
to her boy, she calmed down into the gentle
frank maiden he had known so well.

After an hour's conversation he took his
departure, evading deftly a promise to come
again, for he had marked the look in Rolf e 's
eyes when Pocahontas had called him
father.

As he walked away he said to himself,
^ ^ I must not endanger their wedded bliss ' ' ;
then bitterly, '^Jealousy and suspicion dog
my lonely footsteps and will follow me to
the grave."

CliAPTEK XVlli

A year of court life, filled with a contin-
ual • round of hunting, masques, theater-
going and dancing, failed to dim the
brightness of the wild rose of the west.
Enjoying what was noble and pure with
the unspoiled freshness of a child, the Lady
Rebecca's eyes passed unseeingly over the
coarse and degraded elements mingling
with the good.

Letters from Virginia caused Rolfe to
feel some uneasiness regarding the affairs
of his plantation. He must return home
without delay. No more following of the
hounds in the vast glades of Saint James's
Park, or in the spring, floating down to
Greenwich through a cloud of swans.
Pocahontas must sail for home to take up
again plantation life at Varina, with its
round of duties and simple pleasures.

Sailing down the Thames to Gravesend,
she looked back with fond regret upon the
scenes which imagination already began to
paint in rose-colored hues.

When thev arrived at Gravesend at the
mouth of the Thames Rolfe noticed that
Pocahontas looked weary and jaded. A

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 191

hectic flush mantled her cheek and her
hands were cold as ice.

''What ails my darling 1" he inquired
anxiously.

''Pocahontas's head is heavy and her
body is cold," she languidly replied.

A doctor was hastily summoned. He bled
her profusely, but all to no avail. She grew
weaker every hour. Delirium set in. She
was back in Virginia again, roving the
forests, visiting Jamestown, strolling with
Smith beside the river or sitting in her
cabin playing with her baby boy.

On the third day she fell into a deep
slumber, which was but the forerunner of
the long sleep on which she was entering.

"Surely she will be better when she
awakens,'' said Rolfe to the physician. All
day he had sat by her side holding her hand
or bathing her brow.

"I dare not deceive you. Master Eolfe.
She is sinking rapidly. She will awaken to
consciousness but it will be but the flaring
of the candle, now burnt low in the socket. ' '

Late in the afternoon she opened her
eyes, and feeling for her husband's hand,
whispered, "John, where are you! It is
so dark— the cold water is lapping on my
feet. ' '

' ' Tell her, Master Eolfe. She must know

192 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

her condition," said the rector of Saint
George ^s, who was standing at the foot of
the bed.

^^I cannot," said Rolfe, his voice break-
ing into hoarse sobs as he flung himself
down beside the bed.

Bending over her, the priest gently told
her of her approaching end.

''John, John, must Pocahontas leave you
and the boy'/ It is so hard to part, John."

''0 my darling, I cannot give you up!"
cried Kolfe, kissing her brow, damp with
the dews of death.

But womanlike, she put aside her pain
to comfort her stricken husband.

' ' It is the will of the Eoyal Christ, John.
Pocahontas is not afraid. He will comfort
you and care for my babe. Does He not
carry the little lambs in His bosom? Now
let the kind priest give us the Body and
Blood of the Lord."

She lay silent for a while, exliausted by
the effort to follow the priest through the
Communion Service. Then she said, ' ' Sing
about the birthnight of the Son of God,
John. Pocahontas can hear the angels^
wings. ' '

Rolfe attempted to sing the ancient hjTQn,
but could not go on.

''Then Pocahontas will sing for John."

The Daughter of Virginia Dare 19*3

Gathering her fast ebbing strength with
a mighty effort, her voice rang clear and
sweet through the twilight. Strong and
exultant came the last verse :

"For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophets seen of old,
When with the evercircling years

Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing."

And the **Amen" at its close, begun on
earth and ending in heaven, swept across
the glassy sea and broke in melting sweet-
ness at the feet of the Lamb of God.

Through the bitter winds of March
passed the funeral procession, clad in
trappings of woe, to Saint George's
Church. The burial psalms were chanted,
the prayer of committal said. All that was
mortal of Pocahontas, daughter of Powha-
tan, King of Virginia, was laid to rest in
the rector 's vault underneath the chancel.

The broad leaves of the church door
swung to behind the departing mourners.
The pulsating silence of the ages settled
down upon the chancel.

Suddenly and noiselessly the nave filled
with floating white-robed angels, the ever-

194 The Daughter of Virginia Dare

present congregation of ministering spirits.
Gabriel, Announcer of Tidings, stood
before the altar and in a voice of heavenly
music, heard only by immortal ears, pro-
claimed the glad tidings :

'^The Spirit of Virginia Bare has
Returned to the Land of Her Fathers!**

I