he saw this terrible thing, he was
suddenly beset by more than two hundred yelling, dancing savages, who
were sweeping down upon him as if believing he was in their power beyond
any chance. The Indian guide, who appeared to be terribly frightened,
although it might have been that he was in the plot to murder my master,
would have run away; but that Captain Smith held him fast while he fired
one of his pistols to keep the enemy in check.

Understanding that he must do battle for his life, my master first took
the precaution to bind the Indian guide to his left arm, by means of his
belt, in such fashion that the fellow would serve as a shield against
the shower of arrows the savages were sending through the air.

Protected in this manner, Captain Smith fought bravely, as he always
does, and had succeeded in killing two of the Indians with his
matchlock, when suddenly he sank knee deep into a mire. It seems that he
had been retreating toward the canoe, hoping to get on board her where
would be some chance for shelter, and was so engaged with the savages in
front of him as to give little heed to his steps.

Once he was held prisoner by the mud, the enemy quickly surrounded
him, and he could do no better than surrender. Instead of treating him
cruelly, as might have been expected, these brown men carried him from
village to village, as if exhibiting some strange animal.

TAKEN BEFORE POWHATAN

When he was first made captive, the Indians found his compass, and were
stricken with wonder, because, however the instrument might be turned,
the needle always pointed in the same direction. The glass which
protected the needle caused even more amazement, and, believing him to
be a magician, they took him to Powhatan.

After many days of traveling, the savages were come with their prisoner
to Powhatan's village, where Captain Smith was held close prisoner in
one of the huts, being fairly well treated and fed in abundance, until
the king, who had been out with a hunting party, came home.

Twice while he was thus captive did Captain Smith see the girl
Pocahontas, who had visited him in Jamestown; but she gave no especial
heed to him, save as a child who was minded to be amused, until on the
day when some of the savages gave him to understand that he was to be
killed for having come into this land of theirs, and also for having
shot to death some of their tribe.

When he was led out of Powhatan's tent of skins, with his