At his entrance before the king, all the people gave a great shout. The queen of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, instead of a towel 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 laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beat out his brains, Pocahontas the king's dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death: whereat the Emperor 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 himself will make his own robes, shoes, bows, arrows, pots; plant, hunt, or do anything so well as the rest."
Why did you post this quote without citing your source and using quotation marks?
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/johnsmith.htm
The passage you provided is an excerpt from Captain John Smith's account of his capture and subsequent rescue by Pocahontas, the daughter of the Native American chief Powhatan. This event took place during the early English colonization of Virginia in the early 17th century. It highlights a significant moment in the relationship between the English settlers and the indigenous Powhatan tribe.
To fully understand the context and significance of this passage, it would be helpful to explore its historical background. Captain John Smith was one of the early leaders of the Jamestown settlement, the first permanent English colony in North America. However, the colony faced numerous challenges, including food shortages, conflicts with the natives, and power struggles among the settlers.
In this specific passage, Captain Smith recounts a dramatic event where he was brought before Chief Powhatan, who had the power to decide his fate. The people gathered at Powhatan's entrance cheered, and then the queen of the Appamatuck tribe was appointed to bring water for Smith to wash his hands, followed by someone bringing feathers in place of a towel. These acts of hospitality, though seemingly barbarous by European standards, were part of Native American customs.
After being feasted, a long consultation was held, during which the decision to kill Smith was reached. Two great stones were brought forward, and the people prepared to beat Smith to death with clubs. However, at the last moment, Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter, intervened. Despite unsuccessful entreaties from others, she placed herself over Smith, protecting him with her own body. This act of bravery and compassion moved Powhatan, who then spared Smith's life.
The passage concludes by stating that Powhatan agreed to let Smith live to serve as a blacksmith and provide the tribe with hatchets, while Pocahontas was rewarded with gifts such as bells, beads, and copper. It is also mentioned that the natives respected Smith's skills and abilities, believing him to be capable of performing various tasks as well as they themselves could.
Overall, this passage sheds light on the complex relationship between the English settlers and the Powhatan tribe, displaying elements of both cultural differences and unexpected acts of mercy and understanding.
Step 1: At his entrance before the king, all the people gave a great shout.
Step 2: The queen of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands.
Step 3: Another person brought him a bunch of feathers instead of a towel to dry his hands.
Step 4: They feasted him after their best barbarous manner.
Step 5: A long consultation was held.
Step 6: The conclusion was reached to bring two great stones before Powhatan.
Step 7: The people laid hands on him and dragged him to the stones.
Step 8: They laid his head on the stones, ready to beat out his brains with their clubs.
Step 9: Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, intervened when no entreaty could prevail.
Step 10: Pocahontas got his head in her arms and laid her own head upon his to save him from death.
Step 11: The Emperor, Powhatan, was contented to let the captured person live.
Step 12: The captured person would make hatchets for Powhatan and bells, beads, and copper for Pocahontas.
Step 13: The Native Americans believed that the captured person was skilled in various occupations, including making robes, shoes, bows, arrows, pots, and being able to plant and hunt.