ahontas. "He cannot be badly hurt by
such a light blow from that queer-shaped thing."

"I fear me he is too weakened by lack of food," answered Smith,
gravely.

"Hath he naught to eat?" asked the girl in wide-eyed wonder. Then as if
a strange thought had just come to her: "Is there not food for all? Must
thou, too, my Brother, stint thyself?"

"In truth, little Sister, our rations are but short ones and if the ship
cometh not soon from England with supplies, I fear me they must be
shorter still."

"No!" she cried emphatically, shaking her head till her long braids
swung to and fro, "ye shall not starve while there is plenty at
Werowocomoco. This very night will I myself send provisions to thee. It
hurts me here," and she laid her hand on her heart, "to think that thou
shouldst suffer."

Just then President Wingfield and several officers of the Council,
having heard the news of Pocahontas's visit, came toward them. They
realized that the presence among them of this child, the best-loved
daughter of the powerful Indian chieftain, was an important event. They
did not quite know what to expect. Vague ideas of some Eastern queenly
beauty, such as the Queen of Sheba or Semiramis, had led them to look
for a certain royal magnificence of bearing and of garments, and they
were taken aback to behold this slim young creature whose clothing in
the eyes of some of them was inadequate. Nevertheless, they soon
discovered that though she wore no royal purple nor jewels she bore
herself with a dignity that was both maidenly and regal. They had
hurriedly put on their own best collars and ruffs and to the eyes of the
unsophisticated Indian girl they made a brave, though strange,
appearance. She listened to their words of welcome and answered them
through Smith's interpretation. But all the while she was taking in
every detail of their costumes.

"We must give her presents," suggested one of the councillors as if
discovering an idea that had come to no one else, and he sent a servant
to fetch some of the trinkets which they had brought for the purpose of
bartering with the savages.

Pocahontas forgot her dignity at the sight of them and clapped her hands
in delight as Smith threw over her head a long chain of white and blue
beads. Her pleasure was even greater when he held up a little mirror and
she saw her face for the first time reflected in anything but a forest
pool.

"Is that too for me?" she asked eagerly and clasped it to