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strongest preparing once more to run away with the Pinnace； which with the hazard of his life； with Sakre falcon and musketshot； Smith forced now the third time to stay or sinke。 Some no better then they should be had plotted with the President； the next day to have put him to death by the Leviticall law； for the lives of Robinson and Emry； pretending the fault was his that had led them to their ends； but he quickly tooke such order with such Lawyers； that he layed them by the heeles till he sent some of them prisoners for England。 Now ever once in four or five dayes； Pocahontas with her attendants； brought him so much provision； that saved many of their lives； that els for all this had starved with hunger。
'Thus from numbe death our good God sent reliefe； The sweete asswager of all other griefe。'
His relation of the plenty he had scene； especially at Werawocomoco； and of the state and bountie of Powhatan （which till that time was unknowne）； so revived their dead spirits （especially the love of Pocahontas） as all men's feare was abandoned。〃
We should like to think original； in the above； the fine passage； in which Smith； by means of a simple compass dial； demonstrated the roundness of the earth； and skies； the sphere of the sun； moon； and stars； and how the sun did chase the night round about the world continually； the greatness of the land and sea； the diversity of nations； variety of complexions； and how we were to them antipodes； so that the Indians stood amazed with admiration。
Captain Smith up to his middle in a Chickahominy swamp； discoursing on these high themes to a Pamunkey Indian； of whose language Smith was wholly ignorant； and who did not understand a word of English； is much more heroic； considering the adverse circumstances； and appeals more to the imagination； than the long…haired Iopas singing the song of Atlas； at the banquet given to AEneas； where Trojans and Tyrians drained the flowing bumpers while Dido drank long draughts of love。 Did Smith； when he was in the neighborhood of Carthage pick up some such literal translations of the song of Atlas' as this：
〃He sang the wandering moon； and the labors of the Sun； 》From whence the race of men and flocks； whence rain and lightning； Of Arcturus； the rainy Hyades； and the twin Triones； Why the winter suns hasten so much to touch themselves in the ocean； And what delay retards the slow nights。〃
The scene of the rescue only occupies seven lines and the reader feels that； after all； Smith has not done full justice to it。 We cannot； therefore； better conclude this romantic episode than by quoting the description of it given with an elaboration of language that must be； pleasing to the shade of Smith； by John Burke in his History of Virginia：
〃Two large stones were brought in； and placed at the feet of the emperor； and on them was laid the head of the prisoner； next a large club was brought in； with which Powhatan； for whom； out of respect； was reserved this honor； prepared to crush the head of his captive。 The assembly looked on with sensations of awe； probably not unmixed with pity for the fate of an enemy whose bravery had commanded their admiration； and in whose misfortunes their hatred was possibly forgotten。
〃The fatal club was uplifted： the breasts of the company already by anticipation felt the dreadful crash； which was to bereave the wretched victim of life： when the young and beautiful Pocahontas； the beloved daughter of the emperor； with a shriek of terror and agony threw herself on the body of Smith； Her hair was loose； and her eyes streaming with tears； while her whole manner bespoke the deep distress and agony of her bosom。 She cast a beseeching look at her furious and astonished father； deprecating his wrath； and imploring his pity and the life of his prisoner； with all the eloquence of mute but impassioned sorrow。
〃The remainder of this scene is honorable to Powhatan。 It will remain a lasting monument； that tho' different principles of action； and the influence of custom； have given to the manners and opinions of this people an appearance neither amiable nor virtuous； they still retain the noblest property of human character； the touch of pity and the feeling of humanity。
〃The club of the emperor was still uplifted； but pity had touched his bosom； and his eye was every moment losing its fierceness； he looked around to collect his fortitude； or perhaps to find an excuse for his weakness in the faces of his attendants。 But every eye was suffused with the sweetly contagious softness。 The generous savage no longer hesitated。 The compassion of the rude state is neither ostentatious nor dilating： nor does it insult its object by the exaction of impossible conditions。 Powhatan lifted his grateful and delighted daughter； and the captive； scarcely yet assured of safety； from the earth。。。。〃
〃The character of this interesting woman； as it stands in the concurrent accounts of all our historians； is not； it is with confidence affirmed； surpassed by any in the whole range of history； and for those qualities more especially which do honor to our nature… …an humane and feeling heart； an ardor and unshaken constancy in her attachmentsshe stands almost without a rival。
〃At the first appearance of the Europeans her young heart was impressed with admiration of the persons and manners of the strangers； but it is not during their prosperity that she displays her attachment。 She is not influenced by awe of their greatness； or fear of their resentment； in the assistance she affords them。 It was during their severest distresses； when their most celebrated chief was a captive in their hands； and was dragged through the country as a spectacle for the sport and derision of their people； that she places herself between him and destruction。
〃The spectacle of Pocahontas in an attitude of entreaty； with her hair loose； and her eyes streaming with tears； supplicating with her enraged father for the life of Captain Smith when he was about to crush the head of his prostrate victim with a club； is a situation equal to the genius of Raphael。 And when the royal savage directs his ferocious glance for a moment from his victim to reprove his weeping daughter； when softened by her distress his eye loses its fierceness； and he gives his captive to her tears； the painter will discover a new occasion for exercising his talents。〃
The painters have availed themselves of this opportunity。 In one picture Smith is represented stiffly extended on the greensward （of the woods）； his head resting on a stone； appropriately clothed in a dresscoat； knee…breeches； and silk stockings； while Powhatan and the other savages stand ready for murder； in full…dress parade costume； and Pocahontas； a full…grown woman； with long； disheveled hair； in the sentimental dress and attitude of a Letitia E。 Landon of the period； is about to cast herself upon the imperiled and well…dressed Captain。
Must we； then； give up the legend altogether； on account of the exaggerations that have grown up about it； our suspicion of the creative memory of Smith； and the lack of all contemporary allusion to it？ It is a pity to destroy any pleasing story of the past； and es