gh he enjoyed the triumph over his enemies and the knowledge
that his return, the provisions he had brought and the inspiration of
his courage and activity were of great benefit to his fellows,
nevertheless at times he experienced a feeling of loneliness. He thought
of Pocahontas and wondered whether she would not come to Jamestown.

It was on a wintry day that Pocahontas made her first visit to the
colony. Though they might lack most of the necessities of life, there
was no scarcity of fuel. A huge bonfire was blazing at an open space
where two streets were destined to meet in the future. Over some embers
pulled away from the centre of the flame a pitch-kettle was heating and
its owners, while waiting for its contents to melt, were warming a small
piece of dried sturgeon. Around the bonfire sat John Smith and several
gentlemen. He was pointing out to them on a rough chart the direction in
which he thought the town should spread out when a new influx of
colonists would need shelter. There were carpenters working on a house a
few feet away, but their hammer blows did not ring out lustily as they
should do when men are building with hope a new habitation; there was
but little strength left in their arms.

When Smith looked up from his chart to indicate where a certain line
should run, he saw standing before him the young Indian who had brought
him Pocahontas's greeting after the night journey through the forest and
who, he now realized, was the same fierce youth who had attempted his
life at Werowocomoeo.

Claw-of-the-Eagle spoke:

"Werowance of the white men, Princess Pocahontas sends me to inform thee
that she hath come to visit thee. E'en now she and her maidens await
thee at the fort."

"She is most welcome," cried Smith, springing up. Then he called out in
English: "Come, friends, and help me receive the daughter of Powhatan,
who did save me at the risk of her own life. Give her a hearty English
welcome."

[Illustration: "I WILL LEAD THE PRINCESS"]

The colonists needed no urging. They were eager to see what an Indian
princess looked like. But Smith outran them all and at the sight of
the bright girlish face he stretched out his hands towards her as he
would have done to an English maiden he knew well.

"Ah! little friend," he said coaxingly, "thou wilt not be angry with me
longer. How much dost thou desire to make me owe thee, Pocahontas, my
life, my freedom, my return home and now this pleasure?"

Pocaho