e, was baptized
into the Christian faith, with the new name of Rebecca.

[Illustration: Decorative]

CHAPTER XIX

JOHN ROLFE

To John Rolfe and to all who observed closely the Lady Rebecca--as she
was now called--it seemed as if the little Indian maiden had put on a
new womanly dignity since her baptism. And to John Rolfe in special she
grew more lovely every day. He spent much time with her, strolling all
over Jamestown island and even the mainland. In the woods she taught him
as much as he taught her in the town: to observe the habits of the wild
animals and to find his way through a trackless forest. Often they would
go in a boat to catch fish or to dig for oysters in the Indian fashion.

At times Rolfe was very happy, and at other moments perplexed and cast
down. It was joy for him to be in the company of one who made him feel
how splendid a thing was life and how full of interest and beauty the
woods, fields and river. Yet when the thought of marriage came to him he
remembered the difficulties in the way. First, she was, though called a
princess, only the child of a cruel savage chief and one accustomed to
savage ways. Why should he, an English gentleman, choose her instead of
a woman of his own race brought up in the manner of his people?

Then, even if he were willing, it was unlikely that Powhatan would
consent to let his daughter wed a white man or the Governor on his side
allow it. So he pondered; but no matter what the obstacles in his way,
he came back again and again to his determination to win Pocahontas's
love and to marry her. Now that she had become a Christian, there was
one less barrier between them.

Rolfe believed that his feelings for Pocahontas had gone unnoticed by
anyone, but Mistress Lettice, who had grown very fond of the Indian
maiden confided to her especial care, was far from blind in anything
that concerned her charge. Moreover, she had heard enough of the
discussions which went on in the Council to know that such a marriage
would be approved, since it would secure to the Colony the valuable
friendship of Powhatan. But she was also aware of an obstacle which
might prevent its coming to pass. This knowledge of hers she was
determined to share.

One day she invited certain members of the Council to her house to drink
a cask of sack her brother in London had sent her by the last ship. She
had baked cake, also, and so excellent was its taste after the weariness
of plain b