In spite of himself, Claw-of-the-Eagle was impressed with this reasoning.

“Dost thou then like these paleface strangers and their ways?” he asked.

“There is much about them I do not understand,” replied Nautauquas; “how they can wear so many garments; why they build them houses that let in no air; why they come here when they have villages beyond the seas; yet I know that they are brave and that their medicine is mighty.”

Pocahontas spoke little.  She had never told anyone how much interest she found in all that concerned the white men and their ways.

It was some days later that Smith, Captain Newport and fifty men started to march to Werowocomoco for the coronation of Powhatan.  The presents which the King and the governors of the Colony in London had chosen for him were sent by boat up the river.  When the company of Englishmen in their farthingale-breeches, slashed sleeves and white ruffs, their swords and buckles glistening, accompanied by a few soldiers bearing halberds and long muskets, arrived, the entire population of the village and those of other villages for leagues about were awaiting them.  Braves and squaws had decked themselves out also in their choicest finery—­necklaces and beads and embroidered robes.

It was a wonderful picture that the dark surrounding forest looked upon—­the group of gaily colored Indians facing the more soberly dressed Europeans.  Round them circled children, pushing, peering between their elders that they might miss nothing.  And through it all, running from one group to the other, welcoming, explaining, smiling and laughing, flitted the white-clad Pocahontas.

After their greeting, when Powhatan and Captain Newport eyed each other appraisingly, the gifts were brought into the field where Pocahontas had danced her masque and spread out before the curious gaze of the savages.  Pocahontas, in her white doeskin skirt and wearing many strings of white and blue beads, went about among her new friends, and laid her hand into that of Captain Newport, as Smith had told her was the manner in which the English greeted one another.  Some of the chieftains scowled at the sight and did not relish the friendliness shown by her to the strangers.  Several even remonstrated with Powhatan who, however, would not restrain her.  After a few words with Smith, she rejoined Cleopatra and others of her sisters at one side of the field.

“What is yon curious thing, Pocahontas?” they questioned of her superior knowledge, as the wrappings were taken off a bedstead that Captain Newport by means of signs presented solemnly to Powhatan.

“That,” she answered, having had a glimpse of such furniture at Jamestown, “that is a couch on which they sleep.”

“Is it more comfortable than our mats?” asked Cleopatra.  “I should fear to fall out of it into the fire.”