Each day the work of clearing the ground and of setting up the tents
proceeded apparently more rapidly than the day before, as the results
were more visible. Every one was so wearied with the cramped life aboard
ship for so many weeks that he was glad to stretch himself on the earth
or on improvised beds. Smith, to give an example to some of the
gentlemen who stood with folded arms looking on while the mechanics
worked, swung axe and wielded hammer lustily. Yet he was very unhappy at
the manner in which he was still treated and he eagerly seized an
opportunity to leave the island.

With Captain Newport and twenty others, he set out in one of the ships'
boats to explore the upper part of the river. They were absent a number
of days, after having ascended the James as far as the great falls near
the Powhata, a Powhatan village near the site of the present city of
Richmond. Then they returned to Jamestown.

On their arrival they were greeted with the grave news that during their
absence the Indians had killed a boy and wounded seventeen of the
colonists. A shot fired from one of the ships had luckily so terrified
the savages that they made off for the woods. Now the Council was forced
to recognize the need of some protection and ordered every one to stop
work on everything else until a strong palisade and a rough fort had
been built.

It was now June. Suddenly, to the astonishment of all, the Indians
approached and made signs that they desired to enter into amicable
relations with the white men. They jumped out from their boats and
fingered the clothes of the colonists, their guns and their food,
showing great curiosity at everything. The next day, perhaps because the
Council had seen the folly of their suspicions or had realized the value
of Smith's military experience and knowledge, the state of his
semi-imprisonment, which had lasted since the early part of the voyage,
was put an end to. Now that all seemed peaceful, from without and
within, as a sign of gratitude and of their brotherly feelings towards
each other, all the colonists partook of the Communion together,
kneeling in the temporary shed covered with a piece of sail-cloth which
served as a church.

Then on the seventh of June they stood on the river bank, looking
gravely, with many doubts and fears in their hearts, at the _Discovery_
as she sailed for England, bearing Captain Newport away, and leaving
them alone in Virginia.

[Illustration: Dec