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he Nantaughtacunds and Onawmanients; upon the rivers of Rapahanock and Patawomek; over all those rivers and backe againe by divers other severall Nations; to the King's habitation at Pamaunkee; where they entertained him with most strange and fearefull conjurations;
'As if neare led to hell; Amongst the Devils to dwell。'
Not long after; early in a morning; a great fire was made in a long house; and a mat spread on the one side as on the other; on the one they caused him to sit; and all the guard went out of the house; and presently came skipping in a great grim fellow; all painted over with coale mingled with oyle; and many Snakes and Wesels skins stuffed with mosse; and all their tayles tyed together; so as they met on the crowne of his head in a tassell; and round about the tassell was a Coronet of feathers; the skins hanging round about his head; backe; and shoulders; and in a manner covered his face; with a hellish voyce and a rattle in his hand。 With most strange gestures and passions he began his invocation; and environed the fire with a circle of meale; which done three more such like devils came rushing in with the like antique tricks; painted halfe blacke; halfe red: but all their eyes were painted white; and some red stroakes like Mutchato's along their cheekes: round about him those fiends daunced a pretty while; and then came in three more as ugly as the rest; with red eyes and stroakes over their blacke faces; at last they all sat downe right against him; three of them on the one hand of the chiefe Priest; and three on the other。 Then all with their rattles began a song; which ended; the chiefe Priest layd downe five wheat cornes: then strayning his arms and hands with such violence that he sweat; and his veynes swelled; he began a short Oration: at the conclusion they all gave a short groane; and then layd downe three graines more。 After that began their song againe; and then another Oration; ever laying down so many cornes as before; til they had twice incirculed the fire; that done they tooke a bunch of little stickes prepared for that purpose; continuing still their devotion; and at the end of every song and Oration they layd downe a sticke betwixt the divisions of Corne。 Til night; neither he nor they did either eate or drinke; and then they feasted merrily; and with the best provisions they could make。 Three dayes they used this Ceremony: the meaning whereof they told him was to know if he intended them well or no。 The circle of meale signified their Country; the circles of corne the bounds of the Sea; and the stickes his Country。 They imagined the world to be flat and round; like a trencher; and they in the middest。 After this they brought him a bagge of gunpowder; which they carefully preserved till the next spring; to plant as they did their corne; because they would be acquainted with the nature of that seede。 Opitchapam; the King's brother; invited him to his house; where with many platters of bread; foule; and wild beasts; as did environ him; he bid him wellcome: but not any of them would eate a bit with him; but put up all the remainder in Baskets。 At his returne to Opechancanoughs; all the King's women and their children flocked about him for their parts; as a due by Custome; to be merry with such fragments。
〃But his waking mind in hydeous dreames did oft see wondrous shapes Of bodies strange; and huge in growth; and of stupendious makes。〃
At last they brought him to Meronocomoco; where was Powhatan their Emperor。 Here more than two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him; as he had beene a monster; till Powhatan and his trayne had put themselves in their greatest braveries。 Before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead; he sat covered with a great robe; made of Rarowcun skinnes and all the tayles hanging by。 On either hand did sit a young wench of sixteen or eighteen years; and along on each side the house; two rowes of men; and behind them as many women; with all their heads and shoulders painted red; many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of Birds; but everyone with something: and a great chayne of white beads about their necks。 At his entrance before the King; all the people gave a great shout。 The Queene of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands; and another brought him a bunch of feathers; instead of a Towell to dry them: having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could。 A long consultation was held; but the conclusion was two great stones were brought before Powhatan; then as many as could layd hands on him; dragged him to them; and thereon laid his head; and being ready with their clubs; to beate out his braines。 Pocahontas; the King's dearest daughter; when no entreaty could prevaile; got his head in her armes; and laid her owne upon his to save him from death: whereat the Emperour was contented he should live to make him hatchets; and her bells; beads; and copper: for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselves。 For the King himselfe will make his owne robes; shooes; bowes; arrowes; pots; plant; hunt; or doe any thing so well as the rest。
'They say he bore a pleasant shew; But sure his heart was sad For who can pleasant be; and rest; That lives in feare and dread。 And having life suspected; doth If still suspected lead。'
Two days after; Powhatan having disguised himselfe in the most fearfullest manner he could; caused Capt。 Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods and there upon a mat by the fire to be left alone。 Not long after from behinde a mat that divided the house; was made the most dolefullest noyse he ever heard: then Powhatan more like a devill than a man with some two hundred more as blacke as himseffe; came unto him and told him now they were friends; and presently he should goe to James town; to send him two great gunnes; and a gryndstone; for which he would give him the country of Capahowojick; and for ever esteeme him as his sonn Nantaquoud。 So to James towne with 12 guides Powhatan sent him。 That night they quartered in the woods; he still expecting (as he had done all this long time of his imprisonment) every houre to be put to one death or other; for all their feasting。 But almightie God (by his divine providence) had mollified the hearts of those sterne Barbarians with compassion。 The next morning betimes they came to the Fort; where Smith having used the salvages with what kindnesse he could; he shewed Rawhunt; Powhatan's trusty servant; two demiculverings and a millstone to carry Powhatan; they found them somewhat too heavie; but when they did see him discharge them; being loaded with stones; among the boughs of a great tree loaded with Isickles; the yce and branches came so tumbling downe; that the poore Salvages ran away halfe dead with feare。 But at last we regained some conference with them and gave them such toys: and sent to Powhatan; his women; and children such presents; and gave them in generall full content。 Now in James Towne they were all in combustion; the strongest preparing once more to run away with the Pinnace; which with the hazard of his life; with