Under the new President matters went from bad to worse. Fall was now
approaching and the decaying vegetation was sending up deadly miasmas
to poison the air.
“Food, food!” was the daily cry of the colonists. The deadly fear of
Opechancanough and his men filled their dreams at night with terrible
crimes. Many a man awoke with the cold perspiration bathing his brow,
only to find his dream come true. A cry—a prayer—a silence!
Sitting idly around, they bemoaned their fate and talked of the
comforts they had left behind. Would they had never left the shores
of England! There at least they might have found food.
But even as they sat and talked, a ministering angel, sent by God,
was on her way to them. Sculling down the James came Pocahontas for
her first visit to Jamestown. The bottom of her canoe was filled with
corn and wild turkeys which she was bringing as a present to Captain
Smith. Fearlessly stepping on shore, she came directly toward a group
of men sitting under a tree.
“Where is your chief?” she asked.
Thinking that she meant Ratcliffe, one of the men hastened to call
him. But when he appeared the little guest shook her head and said,
“Not the one of the lowering brow, but the one with the shining
body.” Then they knew she meant Captain Smith and just then he
appeared. Pleased recognition lighted up her countenance as she saw
him.
“Pocahontas has come as she promised, and to show her love has
brought food for the great chief.”
“Many times welcome, O Pocahontas,” he replied. “The Great Spirit of
the pale faces has moved your heart to come to our aid.”
Then he showed her the church where the pale faces worshiped, and
gave her presents of bells and beads, and she lingered a long time
with them and seemed loath to depart.