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GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS
199

their warriors and repair to Weorocomoco; promise them much bounty at the hands of the king, and great rewards in the spoils of the English.
Selictaz. I go, my prince, but opine they will come in but tardily, the tribes do so much fear the arms of the English.
Matacoran. Bid them not fear those noisy weapons; the thunder rolls not always, and in its pauses our arrows will enter our enemies' bosoms, and our spears strike home. Tempt their avarice, Selictaz, by saying much of the riches of the strangers; say the king will relieve his people from the burthens lately impos'd—say every thing to induce the distant tribes to give their aid in driving these accurs'd English into the sea.
Selictaz. You shall be obey'd; and I hope to return with many of these fierce and hardy warriors.
Matacoran. Yet stay, thou can'st not well be spar'd; we shall have need of thee in a daring enterprize that will be this night attempted. Go, send Yaamayden; teach him as I have taught thee; and say further, that Matacoran will lead in the war, and uphold the fame and manhood of the Indian.—Go.
(Exit Selictaz.)

(Enter Indian.)

Indian. The king awaits thee near the ancient tomb.
Matacoran. I come. (Exit Indian.) All now is prepar'd, an' if Powhatan do not shrink from the trial our success is certain; and from the fate of Smith and his comrades these pallid adventurers will learn in future better to respect the courage and ability of the Indian, than with a few score of followers to expect to overcome and conquer a country inhabited by thousands of warlike men. The accepted moment is at hand, and ere another sun shall rise to cheer with its beams the too confident English, the spear of Matacoran will have drank deeply of their blood, or Matacoran be gather'd to his fathers, to enjoy the happiness reserv'd for the brave.
(Exit Matacoran.)


Scene 6. A wood—on one side of the stage the ruins of a tomb, in large letters thereon, "Madoc, 1170."

(Enter Pocahontas.)

Pocahontas. 'T is superstitious awe gives privacy to this tomb, erected by the first conquerors of this country, and suppos'd to contain the ashes of Madoc, their chief. What could have caus'd Namoutac to lie in wait with arm'd men to surprise us in the wood, when but for the brave Cavalier, what might not have been our fate? All is not well.—Ah! here comes the king and with him Matacoran; they are in deep conference, and seek this secluded spot to hold their councils. Could I but learn the subject of their debate, it might throw much light upon late events. Time was, I should have fear'd to enter this sepulchre, but since the light of true faith dispell'd the first darkness of my mind, this solemn place with all its wild tales has no terrors for me. The prince being engag'd in this conference bodes no good to my English. I will retire into the tomb, and may learn that which will enable me to protect him who so late protected me.
(Pocahontas goes into the tomb.)

(Enter Powhatan and Matacoran.)

Powhatan. To-night say'st thou? and the plan so well arrang'd that the English cannot escape? I have order'd the sacrifice of an hundred youths to the god; Okee would not for less ensure me the destruction of my enemies, the possession of their riches, and the heads of their chiefs.
Matacoran. 'Tis well to sacrifice to the gods; but, believe me, king, the gods of the English are as much superior to our gods, as their guns are superior to our bows and arrows. But if we cannot succeed by open force, we must resort to stratagem. Hear my plan. The feasts of the coronation being over, the English will return to the vicinity of their ships. I have selected for their guide Selictaz, who will conduct them to the old ruinous hunting lodge on the banks of the river; there supplied with good victuals, they will feast and carouse, for not like we do the English prepare for war, by fasting and hardihood; they are a people who have much regard for the belly and after eating they will sleep; then, my king, we will approach and pin them to the soil they so greedily covet.
Powhatan. A good plan; but keep they no watch to alarm the sleepers of danger?
Matacoran. Barclay has told me, that English warriors guard their camp by a charm'd word, which, if spoken by a foe,