USA > Virginia > Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625 > Part 14
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The President seeing this proc[r]astinating of time, was no course to live, resolved with Captaine Waldo (who he knew to be sure in time of need), to surprise Powhatan and al his. provision; but the unwillingnes of Captaine Winne, and Mr Scrivener (for some private respects), did their best to hinder their project. But the President, whom no perswasions could perswade to starve, being invited by Powhatan to come unto him, and if he would send him but men to build him a house, bring him a grinstone, 50. swords, some peeces, a cock and a hen, with copper and beads, he would loade his shippe with corne. The President not ignoraunt of his devises, yet un- willing to neglect any opportunity, presently sent 3. Dutch- men and 2. English (having no victuals to imploy them, all for want thereof being idle). Knowing there needed no better castel then that house, to surprize Powhatan, to effect this project, he took order with Captaine Waldo, to second him, if need required. Scrivener, he left his substitute, and set forth with the Pinnas, 2. barges, and six and forty men, which only were such as voluntarily offered themselves for his journy, the which (by reason of Mr Scriveners ill successe) was cen- sured very desperate. They all knowing Smith would not returne empty howsoever, caused many of those that he had appointed to find excuses to stay behinde.
CHAPTER VIII
Captaine Smiths journey to Pamaunke.
The 29 of December, hee set forward for Werawocomoco : his company were these. M
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In the Discovery barge, himselfe.
Robert Behethland.
Nathaniell Powell.
Anas Todkill. William Love.
John Russell.
Gent.
William Bentley. Geoffery Shortridge.
Sould.
Rawly Crashaw.
Michaell Sicklemore.
Edward Pising.
Richard Worlie.
William Warde.
In the Pinnace.
Mr George Persie, brother to the Earle of Northumber- land; Mr Frauncis West, brother to the Lord De-la-Ware.
William Phetiplace, Captaine of the Pinnas.
Jonas Profit, Master.
Robert Ford, clarcke of the councell.
Michaell Phetiplace. Geoffery Abbot, Serg. William Tankard. George Yarington.
Gent.
Henry Powell. David Ellis. Thomas Gipson. John Prat. George Acrigge.
James Bourne. George Burton. Thomas Coe. John Dods. Edward Brinton.
Sould.
James Reade. Nicholas Hancocke. James Watkins. Anthony Baggly, Serg. Thomas Lambert. Edward Pising, Serg.
Sould.
Nathaniel Peacocke. -
4 Dutchmen and Richard Salvage were sent by land, to build the house for Powhatan against our arrivall.
This company being victualled but for 3. or 4. daies, lodged the first night at Weraskoyack, where the President tooke sufficient provision. This kind Salvage did his best to divert him from seeing Powhatan, but perceiving he could not pre- vaile, he advised in this manner, Captaine Smith, you shall finde Powhatan to use you kindly, but trust him not, and bee sure hee have no opportunitie to seaze on your armes, for hee hath sent for you only to cut your throats. The Captaine thanked him for his good counsell, yet the better to try his
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love, desired guides to Chowanoke, for he would sent a present to that king to bind him his friend. To performe this journey was sent Michael Sicklemore, a very honest, valiant, and paine- full soldier : with him, two guids, and directions howe to search for the lost company of Sir Walter Rawley, and silke grasse. Then wee departed thence, the President assuring the king [of] his perpetuall love, and left with him Samuell Collier his page, to learne the language.
The next night being lodged at Kecoughtan, 6 or 7 daies- the extreame wind, raine, frost, and snowe caused us to keepe Christmas amongst the Salvages, where wee were never more merrie, nor fedde on more plentie of good oysters, fish, flesh, wild foule, and good bread, nor never had better fires in Eng- land then in the drie warme smokie houses of Kecoughtan. But departing thence, when we found no houses, we were not curious 1 (in any weather) to lie, 3 or 4 nights together, upon any shore, under the trees, by a good fire. 148 fowles, the President, Anth. Bagly, and Edward Pising did kill at 3. shoots. At Kiskiack, the frost forced us 3 or 4 daies, also to suppresse the insolencie of those proud Salvages, to quarter in their houses and guard our barge, and cause them give us what wee wanted; yet were we but 12 with the President, and yet we never wanted harbour 2 where we found any houses.
The 12 of Januarie we arrived at Werawocomoco, where the river was frozen neare halfe a mile from the shore. But to neglect no time, the President with his barge, so farre had approached, by breaking the Ice, as the eb left him amongst those oozie shoules; yet, rather then to lie there frozen to death, by his owne example, hee taught them to march middle deepe, more then a flight shot, through this muddie froye 3 ooze. When the barge floted, he appointed 2 or 3 to returne her abord the Pinnace, where, for want of water, in melting the salt ice they made fresh water. But in this march, M. Russell (whome none could perswade to stay behind) being somewhat ill and exceeding heavie, so overtoiled himselfe, as
1 Fastidious.
? Shelter.
3 Frozen.
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the rest had much adoe (ere he got a shore) to regain life into his dead benummed spirits. Quartering in the next houses we found, we sent to Powhatan for provision, who sent us plentie of bread, Turkies, and Venison. The next day, having feasted us after his ordinarie manner, he began to aske, when wee would bee gon, faining hee sent not for us, neither had hee any corne, and his people much lesse, yet for 40 swords he would procure us 40 bushels. The President, shewing him the men there present, that brought him the message and con- ditions, asked him, how it chaunced he became so forgetful; thereat, the king concluded the matter with a merry laughter, asking for our commodities, but none he liked without gunnes and swords, valuing a basket of corne more pretious then a basket of copper, saying he could eate his corne, but not his copper.
Captaine Smith seeing the intent of this subtil Salvage, began to deale with him after this manner.
Powhatan, though I had many courses to have made my pro- vision; yet beleeving your promises to supply my wants, I neg- lected all, to satisfie your desire; and to testifie my love, I sent you my men for your building, neglecting my owne. What your people had, you have engrossed, forbidding them our trade, and nowe you thinke by consuming the time, wee shall consume for want, not having [wherewith] to fulfill your strange demandes. As for swords and gunnes, I told you long agoe, I had none to spare. And you shall knowe, those I have, can keepe me from want: yet steale, or wrong you, I will not, nor dissolve that friendship wee have mutually promised, except you constraine mee by your bad usage.
The king having attentively listned to this discourse, promised that both hee and his Country would spare him what they could; the which within 2 daies, they should receave. Yet, Captaine Smith, (saith the king)
some doubt I have of your comming hither, that makes me not so kindly seeke to relieve you as I would; for many do informe me, your comming is not for trade, but to invade my people and possesse
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my Country, who dare not come to bring you corne, seeing you thus armed with your men. To cheere us of this feare, leave abord your weapons, for here they are needlesse, we being all friends and for ever Powhatans.
With many such discourses, they spent the day, quartring that night in the kings houses. The next day, he reviewed his building, which hee little intended should proceed. For the Dutchmen finding his plenty, and knowing our want, and per- ceiving his preparation to surprise us, little thinking wee could- escape both him, and famine, to obtaine his favour, revealed to him as much as they knew of our estates and projects, and how to prevent them. One of them being of so good a judge- ment, spirit, and resolution (and a hireling that was certaine of wages for his labour, and ever well used, both he and his countrimen) that the President knewe not whome better to trust, and, not knowing any fitter for that imploiment, had sent him as a spie, to discover Powhatans intent, then little doubting his honestie, nor could ever be certaine of his villany till neare halfe a yeare after.
Whilst we expected the comming in of the countrie, we wrangled out of the king 10 quarters of corne for a copper kettle; the which the President perceiving him much to effect, valued it at a much greater rate, but (in regard of his scarcety) hee would accept of as much more the next yeare, or else the country of Monacan. The King exceeding liberall of that hee had not, yeelded him Monacan. Wherewith each seeming well contented, Powhatan began to expostulate the difference betwixt peace and war, after this manner.
Captaine Smith, you may understand that I, having seene the death of all my people thrice, and not one living of those 3 genera- tions but my selfe, I knowe the difference of peace and warre better then any in my Countrie. But now I am old, and ere long must die. My brethren, namely Opichapam, Opechankanough, and Kekataugh, my two sisters, and their two daughters, are distinctly each others successours. I wish their experiences no lesse then mine, and your love to them, no lesse then mine to you: but this
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brute from Nansamund, that you are come to destroy my Countrie, so much affrighteth all my people, as they dare not visit you. What will it availe you to take that perforce, you may quietly have with love, or to destroy them that provide you food ? What can you get by war, when we can hide our provision and flie to the woodes, whereby you must famish, by wronging us your friends ? And whie are you thus jealous of our loves, seeing us unarmed, and both doe, and are willing still to feed you with that you cannot get but by our labours ? Think you I am so simple not to knowe it is better to eate good meate, lie well, and sleepe quietly with my women and children, laugh, and be merrie with you, have copper, hatchets, or what I want being your friend; then bee forced to flie from al, to lie cold in the woods, feed upon acorns roots and such trash, and be so hunted by you that I can neither rest eat nor sleepe, but my tired men must watch, and if a twig but breake, everie one crie, there comes Captaine Smith : then must I flie I knowe not whether, and thus with miserable feare end my miserable life, leaving my pleasures to such youths as you, which, through your rash unadvisednesse, may quickly as miserably ende, for want of that you never knowe how to find ? Let this therefore assure you of our loves, and everie yeare our friendly trade shall furnish you with corne; and now also if you would come in friendly manner to see us, and not thus with your gunnes and swords, as to invade your foes.
To this subtil discourse, the President thus replied.
Seeing you will not rightly conceave of our words, wee strive to make you knowe our thoughts by our deeds. The vow I made you of my love, both my selfe and my men have kept. As for your promise I finde it everie daie violated by some of your subjects; yet wee finding your love and kindnesse, our custome is so far from being ungratefull, that for your sake only, wee have curbed our thirsting desire of revenge, else had they 1 knowne as wel the crueltie we use to our enimies as our true love and curtesie to our friendes. And I thinke your judgement sufficient to conceive, as well by the adventures we have undertaken, as by the advantage we have by our armes, of yours : that had wee intended you anie hurt, long ere this we coulde have effected it. Your people comming to me at James towne, are entertained with their bowes and arrowes without
1 Your Indians.
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exception; we esteeming it with you, as it is with us, to weare our armes as our apparell. As for the dangers of our enimies, in such warres consist our chiefest pleasure. For your riches we have no use. As for the hiding your provision, or by your flying to the woods; we shall [not] so unadvisedly starve as you conclude : your friendly care in that behalfe is needlesse, for we have a rule to finde beyond your knowledge.
Manie other discourses they had, til at last they began to trade. But the king seing his will would not bee admitted as a lawe, our guard dispersed, nor our men disarmed; he, sigh- ing, breathed his mind once more, in this manner.
Captaine Smith, I never used anie of Werowances so kindlie as your selfe; yet from you, I receave the least kindnesse of anie. Captaine Newport gave me swords, copper, cloths, a bed, tooles, or what I desired; ever taking what I offered him : and would send awaie his gunnes when I intreated him. None doth denie to laie at my feet, or do, what I desire, but onelie you; of whom I can have nothing but what you regard not : and yet you wil have whatsoever you demand. Captain Newport you call father, and so you call me : but I see, for all us both, you will doe what you list, and wee must both seeke to content you. But if you intend so friendlie as you saie, sende hence your armes that I may beleeve you : for you see the love I beare you, doth cause mee thus nakedlie forget my selfe.
Smith (seeing this Salvage but trifled the time, to cut his throat) procured the Salvages to breake the ice, that his boat might come to fetch both him and his corne; and gave order for his men to come ashore, to have surprised the king: with whom also, he but trifled the time till his men landed; and to keepe him from suspition, entertained the time with this reply.
Powhatan, you must knowe as I have but one God, I honour but one king : and I live not here as your subject, but as your friend to pleasure you with what I can. By the gifts you bestowe on me, you gaine more then by trade: yet would you visite mee as I doe you, you should knowe it is not our customes to sell our cur-
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tesie as a vendible commoditie. Bring all your Country with you for your gard, I will not dislike of it as being over jealous. But to content you, to-morrow I will leave my armes, and trust to your promise. I call you father indeed, and as a father you shall see I will love you: but the smal care you had of such a child, caused my men perswade me to shift for my selfe.
By this time, Powhatan having knowledge his men were readie; whilst the ice was breaking, his luggage, women and children fledde. And to avoid suspition left 2 or 3 of his women talking with the Captaine, whilst he secretly fled, and his men as secretlie beset the house. Which being at the instant dis- covered to Captaine Smith; with his Pistol, Sword and Target, he made such a passage amongst those naked divels that they fled before him, some one waie, some another : so that without hurt, he obtained 1 the Corps du guard. When they perceived him so well escaped, and with his 8 men (for he had no more with him), to the uttermost of their skill, they sought by ex- cuses to dissemble the matter. And Powhatan, to excuse his flight and the suddaine comming of this multitude, sent our Captaine a greate bracelet and a chaine of pearle, by an an- cient Orator that bespoke us to this purpose (perceiving then from our Pinnace, a barge and men departing and comming unto us.)
Captaine Smith, our Werowans is fled, fearing your guns; and knowing when the ice was broken, there would come more men, sent those of his, to guard his corne from the pilfrie that might happen without your knowledge. Now though some bee hurt by your misprison; yet he is your friend, and so wil continue. And since the ice is open, hee would have you send awaie your corne; and if you would have his companie, send also your armes, which so affrighteth this people that they dare not come to you, as he hath promised they should. 1
Nowe having provided baskets for our men to carrie the corne, they kindlie offered their service to gard our armes,
1 Reached.
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that none should steale them. A great manie they were, of goodlie well appointed fellowes, as grim as divels: yet the verie sight of cocking our matches against them, and a few words, caused them to leave their bowes and arrowes to our guard, and beare downe our corne on their own backes. Wee needed not importune them to make quick despatch. But our own barge being left by the ebb, caused us to staie till the midnight tide carried us safe abord.1 Having spent that halfe night with such mirth as though we never had suspected or intended anything; we left the Dutchman to build, Brinton to kil fowle for Powhatan as by his messengers he importunately desired; and left directions with our men to give Powhatan all the content they could, that we might injoy his company at our returne from Pamaunke.
CHAPTER IX
How we escaped surprising at Pamaunke.
Wee had no sooner set saile, but Powhatan returned, and sent Adam and Francis (2. stout Dutch men) to the fort: who fained to Captaine Winne that al things were well, and that Captaine Smith had use for their armes: wherefore they requested newe (the which were given them). They told him their comming was for some extraordinary tooles and shift of apparell. By this colourable excuse, they obtained 6. or 7. more to their confederacie, such expert theefes that presently furnished them with a great many swords, pike-heads, peeces, shot, powder, and such like. They had Salvages at hand ready to carry it away. The next day, they returned unsuspected, leaving their confederates to follow; and, in the interim, to convay them a competencie of all things they could: for which service, they should live with Powhatan as his chiefe affected, free from those miseries that would happen the Col-
1 I.e., to the pinnace.
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ony. Samuell their other consort, Powhatan kept for their pledge; whose diligence had provided him 300. of their kinde of hatchets; the rest, 50. swords, 8. peeces, and 8. pikes. Brinton and Richard Salvage seeing the Dutch-men so strangly diligent to accommodate the Salvages these weapons, attempted to have got to James Towne; but they were apprehended : Within 2. or 3. daies, we arrived at Pamaunke: the king 1 as many daies entertained us with feasting and much mirth. And the day he appointed to begin our trade, the President, with Mr Persie, Mr West, Mr Russell, Mr Beheathland, Mr Powell, Mr Crashaw, Mr Ford, and some others, to the number of 15., went up to Opechancanougs house (near a quarter of a mile from the river); where we2 founde nothing but a lame fellow and a boy, and all the houses about, of all things aban- doned. Not long we staide ere the king arrived, and after him, came divers of his people loaded with bowes and arrowes ; but such pinching commodities, and those esteemed at such a value, as our Captaine beganne with him, in this manner.
Opechancanough, the great love you professe with your tongue, seemes meere deceipt by your actions. Last yeare, you kindly fraughted our ship; but now you have invited me to starve with hunger. You know my want; and I, your plenty : of which, by some meanes, I must have part. Remember it is fit for kings to keepe their promise. Here are my commodities, whereof take your choice : the rest I will proportion fit bargaines for your people.
The king seemed kindly to accept this offer; and the better to colour his project, sold us what they had to our own content : promising the next day, more company, better provided. The barges and Pinnas being committed to the charge of Mr Phetiplace : the President, with his old 15, marched up to the kings house ; where we found 4 or 5 men newly come with great baskets. Not long after came the king, who, with a strained
1 I.e., Opechancanough.
2 Probably Richard Wiffin, W. Phettiplace and Anas Todkill, who wrote this portion of the work and probably went along with the party to Pamunkey.
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cheerefulnes, held us with discourse, what paines he had taken to keepe his promise, till Mr Russell brought us in news that we were all betraied, for at least 6. or 700.1 of well appointed Indians had invironed the house and beset the fields. The king conjecturing what Russell related, we could wel perceive how the extremity of his feare bewrayed his intent. Whereat, some of our companie seeming dismaide with the thought of such a multitude, the Captaine incouraged us after this manner.
Worthy countrymen, were the mischiefes of my seeming friends no more then the danger of these enemies, I little cared, were they as many more, if you dare do but as I. But this is my torment, that if I escape them, our malicious councell,2 with their open- mouthed minions, will make mee such a peace-breaker (in their opinions) in England, as wil break my neck. I could wish those here, that make these seeme Saints, and me an oppressor. But this is the worst of all, wherin I pray, aide me with your opinions. Should wee begin with them and surprize this king, we cannot keep him and defend well our selves. If we should each kill our man, and so proceede with al in this house, the rest will all fly : then shall we get no more then the bodies that are slaine, and then starve for victuall. As for their fury, it is the least danger. For well you know, being alone assaulted with 2 or 300 of them, I made them compound to save my life; and we are now 16 and they but 700. at the most; and assure your selves God wil so assist us, that if you dare but to stand to discharge your peeces, the very smoake will bee sufficient to affright them. Yet howsoever, if there be occasion, let us fight like men, and not die like sheep: but first I will deale with them to bring it to passe, we may fight for some- thing, and draw them to it by conditions. If you like this motion, promise me youle 3 be valiant.
The time not permitting any argument, all vowed to execute whatsoever he attempted, or die. Whereupon the captaine approaching the king, bespoke him in this manner.
1 Probably this number is greatly exaggerated.
2 The council at this time consisted of Scrivener, Winn, and Waldo, who are spoken of quite highly by Smith's friends. The council in London had given strict orders to keep on good terms with the savages. 3 You will.
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I see Opechancanough, your plot to murder me; but I feare it not. As yet your men and mine have done no harme but by our directions. Take therefore your arms, you see mine. My body shalbe as naked as yours, the Ile in your river is a fit place, if you be contented; and the conqueror, of us two, shalbe Lord and Master over all our men. Otherwaies drawe all your men into the field, if you have not enough, take time to fetch more; and bring what number you will, so everie one bring a basket of corne: against all which, I will stake the value in copper. You see I have but 15 men, and our game shalbe, the conqueror take all.
The king, being guarded with 50 or 60 of his chiefe men, seemed kindly to appease Smiths suspition of unkindnesse, by a great present at the dore, they intreated him to receive. This was to draw him without the dore, where the present was garded with at the least 200 men, and 30 lying under a greate tree that lay thwart as a Barricado, each his arrow nocked ready to shoot. Some, the President commanded to go and see what kinde of deceit this was, and to receive the present ; but they refused to do it: yet divers offered, whom he would not permit : but commanding Mr Persie and Mr West to make good the house, tooke Mr Poell and Mr Beheathland to guard the dore; and in such a rage, snatched the king by his vam- brace,1 in the midst of his men, with his pistoll ready bent against his brest. Thus he led the trembling king, neare dead with feare, amongst all his people; who delivering the Cap- taine his bow and arrowes, all his men were easily intreated to cast downe their armes, little dreaming anie durst in that manner have used their king: who then, to escape himselfe, bestowed his presents in good sadnesse. And having caused all his multitude to approach disarmed, the President argued with them to this effect.
I see, you Pamaunkies, the great desire you have to cut my throat, and my long suffering your injuries have imboldened you to this presumption. The cause I have forborne your insolencies is
1 I.e., the leather covering from the elbow to the wrist protecting the arm from the bow; elsewhere called "bracer."
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the promise I made you, before the God I serve, to be your friend, till you give me just cause to bee your enimie. If I keepe this vow, my God will keepe mee; you cannot hurt mee: if I breake it, he will destroie me. But if you shoot but one arrow to shed one drop of blood of any of my men, or steale the least of these beades or copper I spurne before me with my foot; you shall see, I wil not cease revenge, if once I begin, so long as I can heare where to find one of your nation that will not deny the name of Pamaunke. I am not now at Rasseneac 1 halfe drownd with mire, where you tooke me prisoner : yet then, for keeping your promise, and your good . usage, and saving my life, I so affect you, that your denials of your treacherie doth half perswade me to mistake my selfe. But if I be the marke you aime at, here I stand, shoote hee that dare. You promised to fraught my ship ere I departed; and so you shall, or I meane to load her with your dead carkases. Yet if as friends you wil come and trade, I once more promise not to trouble you, except you give me the first occasion.
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