the complete writings-3-第61章
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he causes that have kept us in Virginia from laying such a foundation that ere this might have given much better content and satisfaction； but as yet you must not look for any profitable returning。 So I humbly rest。
After the departure of Newport； Smith； with his accustomed resolution； set to work to gather supplies for the winter。 Corn had to be extorted from the Indians by force。 In one expedition to Nansemond； when the Indians refused to trade； Smith fired upon them； and then landed and burned one of their houses； whereupon they submitted and loaded his three boats with corn。 The ground was covered with ice and snow； and the nights were bitterly cold。 The device for sleeping warm in the open air was to sweep the snow away from the ground and build a fire； the fire was then raked off from the heated earth and a mat spread； upon which the whites lay warm； sheltered by a mat hung up on the windward side； until the ground got cold； when they builded a fire on another place。 Many a cold winter night did the explorers endure this hardship； yet grew fat and lusty under it。
About this time was solemnized the marriage of John Laydon and Anne Burrows； the first in Virginia。 Anne was the maid of Mistress Forrest； who had just come out to grow up with the country； and John was a laborer who came with the first colony in 1607。 This was actually the 〃First Family of Virginia；〃 about which so much has been eloquently said。
Provisions were still wanting。 Mr。 Scrivener and Mr。 Percy returned from an expedition with nothing。 Smith proposed to surprise Powhatan； and seize his store of corn； but he says he was hindered in this project by Captain Winne and Mr。 Scrivener （who had heretofore been considered one of Smith's friends）； whom he now suspected of plotting his ruin in England。
Powhatan on his part sent word to Smith to visit him； to send him men to build a house； give him a grindstone； fifty swords； some big guns； a cock and a hen； much copper and beads； in return for which he would load his ship with corn。 Without any confidence in the crafty savage； Smith humored him by sending several workmen； including four Dutchmen； to build him a house。 Meantime with two barges and the pinnace and forty…six men； including Lieutenant Percy； Captain Wirt； and Captain William Phittiplace； on the 29th of December he set out on a journey to the Pamaunky； or York； River。
The first night was spent at 〃 Warraskogack；〃 the king of which warned Smith that while Powhatan would receive him kindly he was only seeking an opportunity to cut their throats and seize their arms。 Christmas was kept with extreme winds； rain； frost and snow among the savages at Kecoughton； where before roaring fires they made merry with plenty of oysters； fish； flesh； wild fowls and good bread。 The President and two others went gunning for birds； and brought down one hundred and forty…eight fowls with three shots。
Ascending the river； on the 12th of January they reached Werowocomoco。 The river was frozen half a mile from the shore； and when the barge could not come to land by reason of the ice and muddy shallows； they effected a landing by wading。 Powhatan at their request sent them venison； turkeys； and bread； the next day he feasted them； and then inquired when they were going； ignoring his invitation to them to come。 Hereupon followed a long game of fence between Powhatan and Captain Smith； each trying to overreach the other； and each indulging profusely in lies and pledges。 Each professed the utmost love for the other。
Smith upbraided him with neglect of his promise to supply them with corn； and told him； in reply to his demand for weapons； that he had no arms to spare。 Powhatan asked him； if he came on a peaceful errand； to lay aside his weapons； for he had heard that the English came not so much for trade as to invade his people and possess his country； and the people did not dare to bring in their corn while the English were around。
Powhatan seemed indifferent about the building。 The Dutchmen who had come to build Powhatan a house liked the Indian plenty better than the risk of starvation with the colony； revealed to Powhatan the poverty of the whites； and plotted to betray them； of which plot Smith was not certain till six months later。 Powhatan discoursed eloquently on the advantage of peace over war： 〃I have seen the death of all my people thrice；〃 he said； 〃and not any one living of those three generations but myself； I know the difference of peace and war better than any in my country。 But I am now old and ere long must die。〃 He wanted to leave his brothers and sisters in peace。 He heard that Smith came to destroy his country。 He asked him what good it would do to destroy them that provided his food； to drive them into the woods where they must feed on roots and acorns； 〃and be so hunted by you that I can neither rest； eat nor sleep； but my tired men must watch； and if a twig but break every one crieth； there cometh Captain Smith！〃 They might live in peace； and trade； if Smith would only lay aside his arms。 Smith； in return； boasted of his power to get provisions； and said that he had only been restrained from violence by his love for Powhatan； that the Indians came armed to Jamestown； and it was the habit of the whites to wear their arms。 Powhatan then contrasted the liberality of Newport； and told Smith that while he had used him more kindly than any other chief； he had received from him （Smith） the least kindness of any。
Believing that the palaver was only to get an opportunity to cut his throat； Smith got the savages to break the ice in order to bring up the barge and load it with corn； and gave orders for his soldiers to land and surprise Powhatan； meantime； to allay his suspicions； telling him the lie that next day he would lay aside his arms and trust Powhatan's promises。 But Powhatan was not to be caught with such chaff。 Leaving two or three women to talk with the Captain he secretly fled away with his women； children； and luggage。 When Smith perceived this treachery he fired into the 〃naked devils〃 who were in sight。 The next day Powhatan sent to excuse his flight； and presented him a bracelet and chain of pearl and vowed eternal friendship。
With matchlocks lighted； Smith forced the Indians to load the boats； but as they were aground； and could not be got off till high water； he was compelled to spend the night on shore。 Powhatan and the treacherous Dutchmen are represented as plotting to kill Smith that night。 Provisions were to be brought him with professions of friendship； and Smith was to be attacked while at supper。 The Indians； with all the merry sports they could devise； spent the time till night； and then returned to Powhatan。
The plot was frustrated in the providence of God by a strange means。 〃For Pocahuntas his dearest jewele and daughter in that dark night came through the irksome woods； and told our Captaine good cheer should be sent us by and by； but Powhatan and all the power he could make would after come and kill us all； if they that brought it could not kill us with our own weapons when we were at supper。 Therefore if we would live she wished us presently to be gone。 Such things as she delighted in he would have given her； but with the tears rolling down her cheeks she said she durst not to be seen to have any； for if Powhatan should know it； she were but dead； and so she ran away by herself as she came。〃
＇This instance of female devotion is exactly paralleled in D'Albertis's 〃New Guinea。〃 Abia； a pretty Biota girl of seventeen； made her way to his solitary habitation at the peril of her life； to inform him that the men of Rapa would shortly bring him insects and other presents； in order to get near him without suspicion； and then kill him。 He tried to reward the brave girl by hanging a gold chain about her neck； but she refused it； saying it would betray her。 He could only reward her with a fervent kiss； upon which she fled。 Smith omits that part of the incident。＇
In less than an hour ten burly fellows arrived with great platters of victuals； and begged Smith to put out the matches （the smoke of which made them sick） and sit down and eat。 Smith； on his guard； compelled them t
