greatly preferred his own simple dress, made from the skins of the wild
beasts of his forests.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

23. THE MEETING OF POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH

And now Captain John Smith, who, during all this time, had been on long
voyages of exploration and adventure, hearing that Pocahontas had come
to England, remembered the old times and all that the little Indian maid
had done for him, and so, attended by some friends, he went down to
Branford to greet her. When Pocahontas saw him a flood of recollection
overcame her, and she was greatly moved. She turned from him, hiding her
face in her hand, and for a long time could not speak. At last she said,
"They told me you were dead."

Then she reproached him for calling her the Lady Rebecca, the name given
her since her marriage, and told him that he should call her child, as
he used to do, and said, "You did promise Powhatan what 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."

But Captain John excused himself, saying, "I durst not now allow of that
title, since the King commands that you be treated as a Princess."

Then Pocahontas answered, "You were not afraid to come into my father's
country, and to cause fear in him and all his people but me, and fear
you here I should call you father? I tell you then I will, and you shall
call me child. And so I will be forever and ever your countryman."

And then, when Pocahontas had grown calmer, these two, after years of
separation, again sat together, and talked long of the old days in
Virginia.

Uttamatomakkin, glad to see an old friend in this strange land, told how
he had been commanded by Powhatan to seek out Captain John, to know the
truth, if he still lived, for they could not believe all the rumors they
heard concerning him.

[Illustration]

24. CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH GOES TO SEA AGAIN

After this meeting Captain John became more restless than ever, and soon
set sail again. And when alone upon the deck of his ship he thought
often of the Virginia colony for which he had toiled, and risked so
much, and of Pocahontas, and of her help in his time of need. No doubt
he saw again before him the little Indian girl who had saved his life,
and the maid who brought him succor, and, when the time came, saved him
once more by her warning. And his heart was warmed with gratitude, and
he wished her happin