APTER XI

POCAHONTAS VISITS JAMESTOWN

"We have brought the white werowance safely back to his tribe again,"
said Copotone, one of the guides, as they approached the causeway
leading to Jamestown Island.

"Of a surety," remarked Smith, "since thus it was that Powhatan
commanded."

It was his policy--a policy which did credit to the head of one who, in
spite of his knowledge of the world, was still so young--never to show
any suspicion of Indian good-faith.

"Now that we have led thee thither," continued Copotone, who on his side
had no intention of betraying any secrets of the past night, "wilt thou
not fulfil thy promise and give to us the guns and grindstone?"

"Ye shall take to your master whatever ye can carry," answered Smith,
whose heart was beating fast at the sight of the huts and fort before
him, the outlines of which grew more distinct each moment with the
brightening day. He had answered the hail of the sentry who, when he had
convinced himself that his ears and eyes did not betray him, ran out and
clasped the hands of one he had never thought to behold alive again.

"Captain!" he exclaimed, "but it is indeed a happy day that bringeth
thee back to us, not but that some of them yonder," and he pointed
significantly towards the government house, "will think otherwise."

The Indians in the meantime were looking about them with eager curiosity
as they strode through the palisades into the fort. It was but a poor
affair, judged by European military standards, and absolutely worthless
if it should have to withstand a siege by artillery. But to the savages
it was an imposing fortress, the very laws of its construction unknown
to them, even the mortar between the logs, a substance of which they had
no comprehension. Over the bastion as they emerged on the other side
they beheld the English flag floating. This they took to be some kind of
an Okee, in which opinion Smith's action confirmed them, for taking off
his hat, he waved it in delight towards the symbol of all that was now
doubly dear to him.

But it was the guns which claimed the chief attention of the savage
visitors. There were four of them, all pointing towards the forest, iron
culverins with the Tudor Rose and E.R. (Elizabeth Regina) moulded above
their breeches.

"Are these the fire-tubes of which we have heard?" asked Copotone
eagerly, longing to feel them, but not daring for fear of unknown
magic.

"Aye," answered Smith, "art thou strong en