to-day, John; because I have ever
sought the forest when I was happy or sad; because it seemeth to me that
the trees and beasts would be hurt if I did not let them see me this
great day."

"'Tis a pretty fancy, but a pagan one, my child," said Rolfe, frowning
slightly.

But Pocahontas did not notice. She had caught a glimpse across the leafy
branches of the spotted sides of a deer, and she saw a striped chipmunk
peer at her from overhead.

"Hey! little friends," she called out gaily to them, "here's Pocahontas
come to greet ye. Wish her happiness, that her nest may be filled with
nuts. Little Dancer, and cool shade, Bright Eyes, in hot noondays." Then
as two wood pigeons flew by she clapped her hands gently together and
cried:

"Here's _my_ mate, Swift Wings, wish us happiness."

And John Rolfe, sober Englishman that he was, felt uprise in him a new
kinship with all the breathing things of the world, and he wondered
whether this Indian maiden he had made his wife did not know more of the
secrets of the earth than the wise men of Europe.

[Illustration: Decorative]

CHAPTER XXI

ON THE TRAIL OF A THIEF

Pocahontas, clothed in European garb, was returning to her home at
Varina from the river, whither she had accompanied John Rolfe half a
day's journey towards Jamestown. The boatmen had escorted her from the
skiff and now doffed their hats as she bade them come no further.

In the two years which had passed since her marriage, the little Indian
maiden had learned many things: to speak fluently the language of her
husband's people, to wear in public the clothes of his countrywomen, and
to use the manners of those of high estate. She had always been
accustomed to the deference paid her as the daughter of the great
werowance, ruler over thirty tribes, and now she received that of the
English, who treated her as the daughter of a powerful ally. For
Powhatan had seen the wisdom of keeping peace between Werowocomoco and
Jamestown and its settlement up the river of Henrici, of which Rolfe's
estate, Varina, was a portion.

Indeed, so stately was the manner of the Lady Rebecca that it was with
difficulty that many could recall the wide-eyed maiden who used to come
and go at Jamestown.

Now as she ascended the hill her eyes rested upon the home Rolfe had
built for her. It was to the eyes of Englishmen, accustomed to the
spacious manor houses of their own country, little more than a cabin.
But to one who