2o* A M E %I C A. Chap. II. 



done, three more fuch like Devils came rufhing in with the like antique Tricks, 

 Painted half black, half red ■ but all their Eyes were Painted white, and fome red 

 itrokes like Mtitcbato's, along their Cheeks : round about him thofe Fiends Danc'd 

 a pretty while, and then came in three more as ugly as the reft, with red Eyes, and 

 white ftrokes over their black Faces- at lad they all fate down right againft him, 

 three of them on the one hand of the chief Prieft, and three on the other ; then all 

 with their Rattles began a Song, which ended, the chief Prieft laid down five 

 Wheat Corns, then ftretching bis Arms and Hands with fuch violence, that he 

 * fweat, and his Veins fwell'd, he began a fhort Oration : at the conclufion, they 

 all gave a fhort groan, and then laid down three Grains more ; after that, began 

 their Song again, and then another Oration, ever laying down fo many Corns as 

 before, till they had twice incircled the Fire ; that done, they took a bunch of lit- 

 tle Sticks, prepared for that purpofe, continuing (till their Devotion, and at the 

 end of every Song and Oration , they laid down a Stick between the Divifions of 

 Corn: till night, neither he nor they did either eat or drink, and then they fea- 

 fted merrily, with the beft Provifions they could make : Three days they us'd this 

 Ceremony, the meaning whereof they told him, was to know if he intended them 

 well, or no. The Circle of Meal fignifi'd their Countrcy, the Circles of Corn the 

 bounds of the Sea, and the Sticks his Countrey. They imagined the World to be 

 flat and round, like a Trencher, and they in the midft. After this they brought him 

 a Bag of Gun- powder, which they carefully preferv'd till the next Spring, to Mant 

 as they did their Corn, becaufe they would be acquainted with the nature of that " 

 Seed. Opitcbapam, the King's Brother, invited him to his Houfc, where, with as ma- 

 ny Platters of Bread, Fowl, and wild Beafts, as did environ him, he bid him well- 

 come, but not any of them would eat a bit with him, but put up all the remainder 

 in Baskets. At his return to Opecbancanougbs, all the Kings Women, and their Chil- 

 dren, flock'd about him for their Parts, as a due by Cuftom, to be merry with fuch 

 Fragments. 



At laft, they brought him to Meronocoinoco, where was Powhatan their Emperor. 

 Here morcv than two hundred of thofe grim Courtiers flood Wondering at him, as 

 kc had been a Monfter ; till Powhatan and his Train had put themfelves in their 

 greateft Braveries. Before a Fire, upon a feat like a Bedfted, he fit cover'd with a 

 great Robe, made of d^trcwew//- Skins, and all the Tails hanging by. On either 

 hand did fit a young Maid, of fixtcen or eighteen years of Age, and along on each 

 fide the Houfe, two rows of Men, and behind them as many Women, with all 

 their Heads and Shoulders Painted red • many of their Heads bedeck'd with the 

 white Doun of Birds , but every one with fomething, and a great Chain of white 

 Beads about their Necks. At his entrance before the Emperor, all the People gave a 

 great fliout. The Queen of Jppamatuck was appointed to bring him Water to wafii 

 his Hands, and another brought him a bunch of Feathers, in ftead of a Towel to 

 dry them : Having Feafted him after their barbarous manner as well as they could, 

 a long confultation was held, but in conclufion, two great Stones being brought 

 before Powhatan, as many as cfould, laid Hands on him, dragg'd him to them, and 

 thereon laid his Head, when being ready with their Clubs, to beat out his Brains, 

 Pocahontas, the Emperors deareft Daughter, feeing no intreaty could prevail, got his 

 Head in her Arms, and laid her own upon his to fave him from death ; whereat, 

 the Emperor was contented he fhould live to make him Hatchets, and her Bells, 

 Beads, and Copper • for they thought him a Man of all Occupations like them* 

 felves; for the King himfelf will make his own Robes, Shoes, Bowes, Arrows, 

 Pots, Plant, Hunt, or do any thing as well as the reft. 



Two 



