Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/67

 INTRODUCTION. 37 was, in a considerable degree, defeated by chap. h. an event, which threatened, at first, the most 1607. disastrous consequences. In an attempt to explore the head of Chiccahomini river, Smith was discovered and attacked by a numerous He is 11 n T *• • 1 • 1 • ,-. captured bodv of Indians, and in endeavouring alter by the a most gallant defence, to make his escape, his attention being directed to the enemy whom he still fought in retreating, he sunk up to his neck in a swamp, and was obliged to surrender. Still retaining his presence of mind, he showed them a mariner's compass, at which, especially at the playing of the needle, and the impossi- bility of touching it, although they saw it so distinctly, they were greatly astonished; and he amused them with so many surprising stories of its qualities, as to inspire them with a degree of veneration, which prevented their executing their first design of killing him on the spot. They conducted him in triumph through several towns, to the palace of Pow- hatan, the most potent king in that part of the country. There he was doomed to be put to condemned . • ■ . to death by death, by laying his head upon a stone, and Powhtfan * beating out his brains with clubs. He was led to the place of execution, and his head bowed down for the purpose of death, when he was rescued from a fate which appeared to be as inevitable as it was terrible, by that enthusiastic and impassioned humanity, which, in every climate, is the inmate of the female bosom.
 * ° Indians.