Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/344

Rh in making battle-axes for the emperor, and necklaces of beads for his little daughter, the Princess Pocahontas, a girl of ten or twelve years old, who in appearance and expression greatly excelled all the Indian maidens, and who was called nonparielle among her people, from her intellect and her wit. The Emperor and his chiefs condemned Smith to death. He was doomed to be sacrificed to the gods of the nation and his head to be crushed by the blows of the tomahawk.

The Indians prepared themselves for a solemn festival. Fires were kindled before the images of their gods; Powhatan sat on his elevated seat, around him stood his warriors. Smith was brought forth and placed upon the ground, his head was laid upon a stone, and the tomahawks were lifted. But at once the little daughter of the Emperor, Pocahontas, sprang forward, threw her arms around the captive's neck and laid her head upon his. The tomahawks must fall upon her head before they reached his. Vain were threats, prayers, reasonings; the child remained resolute in still enfolding the victim in her protecting arms. This conduct at length moved the hearts of Powhatan and his savage warriors. Smith was pardoned for the sake of the little princess, and instead of his being treated as an enemy the chief gave him their word of amity, and let him go to his own people.

The understanding, however, between the English and Indians continued to be one of mistrust and hostility; the Indians were continually on the look-out for opportunities to attack their enemies. Pocahontas proved, however, to be the good angel of the English; and on one occasion, when they were in great want, she brought them corn and provisions; on another, she came to their camp, alone through the forest in the dead of the night, pale, and with her hair flying in the wind, to warn them of an approaching attack. The beauty and amiability of Pocahontas tempted a