t be attained.

CHAPTER SIX.

Some time had elapsed since Canochet had left his new friends, promising
that the war-hatchet should be for ever buried between his tribe and the
English. The settlers had begun to grow corn and tobacco, as well as to
form gardens in which vegetables of all descriptions were produced. The
surrounding natives visited them occasionally, but exhibited much want
of confidence, which it was the object of the governor to overcome. He
issued strict orders that all the Indians appearing among them should be
treated with courtesy and kindness, and any chiefs coming to James Town
were invariably sent away with presents and assurances of the good-will
of the colonists. Still it was a hard matter to do away with the
ill-feeling which existed in consequence of the hostile meetings which
had previously occurred between the colonists and the Indians, in which
many on both sides had been slain. At this juncture, one evening, as
the settlers were returning to their dwellings, the labours of the day
being over, the sentry posted on the look-out tower at one of the
corners of the stockade, gave notice that an Indian in hot haste was
approaching the town. As he came near he was recognised as an Indian
named Pomaunkee, who had frequently been at the settlement, and who
appeared to have a friendly feeling for the whites, although many
disputes had occurred between them and his people, in which several, of
the latter had been killed.

He brought, he said, disastrous intelligence. Captain Smith and his
followers had been attacked by a large body of Indians, who had murdered
all but the captain, who having been overcome after a desperate
struggle, had been carried captive to Powhattan, their chief. He also,
probably, Pomaunkee declared, would be put to death, unless Powhattan
would agree to receive a ransom for him.

The news, which was generally believed, created much dismay and
excitement among the colonists. Pomaunkee was conducted to the
governor, who examined him by means of an interpreter to satisfy himself
of the truth of his report. The Indian, however, persisted in his
statement, and at length the governor was convinced of its correctness.
Those attached to Captain Smith expressed a desire to send out a party
to rescue him, and all were ready to pay any ransom demanded. Among his
warmest friends was Master Rolfe, Lettice Audley's old admirer. He had
been prevented by an attack of illnes