The Argosy, April 1912 — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AS THE DICE FELL. I stared at her in dumb dismay. We had hoped to impress old Powhatan with the be- lief that we were white gods, and that the members of our colony were also deities, and thus work upon his superstitious fears to force him into a treaty. And now, this girl’s word showed that it was we and not the wily old king, who were being duped. I think she read some- thing of my consternation in my face, for she continued: “You see, in the other years, my father journeyed to the sea coast. There was a ship there, full of such men as you. My father saw them play with the black grains that flash fire, and saw them use the sticks that spout flame and death. And _ they ‘showed him that it was not magic, but a trick. So, when the courier told what you had done, my father understood.” CT 9 Oh? 9 “Yes. He understood all save the way you caused the death of the two warriors by arrow and hatchet. For the courier say neither of you had such weapons.” “No,” I said, “ we had not.” “But my father is in wrath,” she went on, “for one of the slain braves was his nephew, and the white men in the earlier years slew his son. So you are both to die.” She spoke with no show of regret. It was as though she stated a simple fact, and I could not at once frame a reply. I could not understand this singularly child- like, yet self-possessed girl who spoke thus of death. But she was talking again. ““Why did you come here?” she queried. On the tip of my tongue was the pompous lie that Captain John Smith had prepared for Powhatan, but to this clear-eyed forest nymph I could not lie. I said simply: “The story is long. I will put it in few words. Across the sea is our home, the land is crowded and the laws are harsh upon the poor. So, many of us sailed across to the Americas, to build here new homes where we might be free and where every man might have a fair chance at livelihood and happiness. We have built rude homes on the bank of the great river, but we are starving and your people harry us. Therefore, my leader and I came into the wilderness to beg your father for food and protection.” She had listened eagerly, and for a mo- ment she did not speak. ‘Then she said wonderingly: “You and your leader did not know you 43 were coming to certain death when you journeyed to my father? You did not know he had sworn to avenge his son by slaying every white man he could find ?” Yes, princess,” I answered. “We knew it. I had it from an Indian, the same who taught me your language.” “You knew you faced death? came willingly.” “Not willingly, princess, our comrades were starving.” “You faced death that they might live?” “They are our comrades, the men for whose lives our leader is responsible, and we hoped there might be one chance in’a thousand that your father might grant us peace and food. On that chance we came.’ She made no reply, but stood gazing at me in silence from out of those great, im- penetrable eyes of hers. “There is still time to escape,” she said at last, as though suddenly making up her mind. “I will go with you to your camp. At my command the warriors will let your leader go free, then you and he may gain the coast again ere the war-party my father will send in pursuit can overtake you.” “Ten thousand times I thank you, princess,” said I, “but it cannot be.” “Why not?” “Our men are starving. empty-handed, they will die. My leader is wise. He may yet be able to move Pow- hatan’s heart to aid us. If not, we shall at least have done all that mortal man can do. Our Master has said: ‘ Greater love hath no man than this—that a man lay down his life for his freinds.’” Again there was a long silence. she asked: “This leader of yours? The courier de- scribed him as a mighty, noisy, hairy man. Could not he have come alone on this mis- sion? Did you so love him that you wished to share his peril here?” “T love him not at all, but none of the others would come.” “They were afraid?” “It seems so.” ““And you were not afraid?” “Why, yes,” I laughed, “I was very much afraid. But some one must come. He could not come in-safety alone.” “He is not your friend, yet vou are risk- ing your life for him? Why?” “Because he alone can save us from de- struction. It is his genius that has saved the colony thus far, and if the colony is Yet you but because If we return Then Con clooolx