Hey! I'm back from vacation, and I had a blast. Jamestown was probably the highlight for me, although D.C. was great too. Anyways, I'm glad to be back here writing more. And for anyone interested in this particular period in history, I suggest you read this book I picked up called Love and Hate in Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Start of a New Nation. It actually inspired another Pocahontas story I hope to do after this one! It'll go along with history more, but I'll tweak it to fit my needs. And Jamestown also inspired me to do another story when I saw all the old graves there. That one will be sad, but I look forward to writing it. If you wanna know more about them, e-mail me! I'm here.
Chapter 4
Memories of Us
Thomas walked down the main road of Jamestown thinking of the encounter he had just had with his former friend. Although John and Thomas had never exchanged harsh words, it was known by both that the friendship had suffered a blow, and it couldn't be repaired, at least for a while to come. Thomas wasn't sorry for falling in love, but he was sorry John had to suffer as he did.
'Why do we have to hurt one to love another?' The old question came to Thomas as he walked along, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.
John was once his best friend, his mentor, and how did her repay him? By marrying the woman that John loved most of all. But it wasn't his fault. Thomas didn't ask for this, it just happened. 'How? How did it happen?' he continued to think. 'Everything was fine until those feelings started to show themselves'
Jamestown: Early 1608
A large ship sailed into Jamestown earlier this morning carrying provisions and people for the growing town. At first sight of it sailing up the James River, everyone came out to welcome it. John Smith had now been in England for four months, and the whole colony was waiting for any word on him. This supply ship may carry some hope that their beloved Captain was alright.
Once the ship made it as close as possible to shore, the men on board lowered a smaller boat into the water, filled with a group of five who then paddled up to shore.
"Who is it?" A woman from the crowd asked aloud from her spot onshore.
"I don't know, I can't tell." Someone nearby answered.
Thomas stood at the river's edge with Ben and Lon, holding a spy glass, and waiting for the smaller boat to make it to them. "Can you see who it is Thomas?" Lon asked, squinting in the sun to see the newcomers.
"It's Captain Newport." Thomas lowered the spy glass from his eyes, wondering what he was doing back so soon.
"Newport? He's back from London already?" Ben asked. Newport had left only months earlier after bringing the last shipment from England. He wasn't expected back so soon nor was he a very welcome sight in Jamestown, but here he was. "It would seem so." Thomas replied. Murmurs from the crowd were heard when news of who the man was spread through them.
The boat came ashore, and the men emptied it quickly, glad to be able to touch the ground again after months of rough seas and cramped quarters. Newport approached Thomas smiling. Obviously he had not been around to witness all the hardships the colony had to endure while he was gone.
"Good afternoon Thomas. I suppose you're a little surprised to see me back so soon." Newport said.
"A little." Thomas said. His short response made Newport aware of the hard feelings that were held for him. Captain Newport held many of the ideas of the colony as the wide-eyed dreamers of the Virginia Company in London did. Even with his ideas of riches still to be made in Virginia, which everyone there had given up for the most part, he was not more despised than when he turned his back on Smith during the first months of their stay in Virginia.
John was respected as a brave leader, much more experienced than most of the men on the voyage, but Newport went against his advice one too many times, and Smith had reacted. His letter to the Virginia Company criticizing Newport was not taken well and when Newport learned of it, he did what he could to turn the most influential men in the colony against Smith. There were a few left that believed in Smith, who knew he was the only one who could help them, and their belief would soon be confirmed.
After Newport's departure, Smith had a hard time trying to gain the control he once had over the colony. Actually, his control would not return until after his return trip from London. After Newport left for London the first time to fetch supplies and more settlers, Ratcliffe was left in complete charge over the colony, which did not help to ease the hard feelings. When Newport returned the second time, he took Ratcliffe, who had been overthrown by the others, along with him to England. Also joining him on the voyage back was Smith himself, wounded by a bullet from Ratcliffe's gun.
After watching the ship sail away, the other colonists came to a decision that the council would reign over Jamestown with the members being only those who had been the original settlers. Problems with the natives had died down with the help of Pocahontas who, after John left, did not return to the colony again. She couldn't face it without Smith there. It was too hard for her, but the help from her people did not stop. The council had ordered the construction of houses, a bigger fort to protect the area, and planting which the natives would help teach the settlers in their way of growing food.
But, the first month without Smith left the colony devastated. No one was sure what to do next. It was John Smith who directed them in all things. After that first month, everything started to improve with help from the natives and the increasing skills of the settlers.
Now they wondered what happened to their leader.
Newport was a little uncomfortable as he stood there, confronted by the whole colony who were waiting for answers. "Well, it was decided in London that the sending of a few men at a time was not going to prevail in these foreign conditions, so it was ordered for the immediate shipment of supplies and many more people than the first two shipments held." He looked to see if Thomas was following him. Others had gathered around to hear what he had to say. "The idea is that it will be harder to dispose of so many and that the colony will have a much better chance for survival."
"So, even though we have been starving, fighting off natives, and battling disease, this alone did not prompt the government to send help?" Thomas asked in a sarcastic, hardened tone. Months of rough times had forced him to grow out of his timid ways.
"No." Newport answered. "We didn't know the extent of your sufferings. The letters sent back did not express a feeling of want for help."
"The reason for that is you and the rest of these gentlemen who still have hopes for this paradise would not allow any ill words about this venture, only encouraging words in order to boost sign ups for the future." Thomas continued.
Newport cleared his throat and spoke. "Yes, that is true. You have to understand the need for more settlers in this area if we expect Jamestown to not follow in the footsteps of Roanoke."
Thomas was getting upset by what the Captain was saying. Didn't he think they knew that already? "I understand that Captain Newport, but what I don't understand is why you waited until now to increase our supplies when we could have been in a much better position if only we had them."
"The Spanish discovered our plans…" Newport continued stumbling at the sight of the increasing crowd and the unhappy look coming from the man he was talking to, "our plans for permanent settlement in Virginia, and the Virginia Company, along with King James, feel it is best to have more people here in case of an attack. That is why the supplies are now increasing."
"So you are telling us that the possibility of the Spanish taking control of this land is more important to the King than the lives of his subjects?" Thomas asked. "I don't understand that."
"You are not a gentleman. You are not supposed to understand these things." Newport added, finding courage in the fact that his social standing was much higher than that of this young man before him. "The King is well aware of the difficulty this colony is facing. Don't you think Captain Smith has brought word to him many times?"
The crowd buzzed over the mention of Smith's name, and Thomas' face lightened. "You are telling us that Captain Smith is alive?"
"Alive and well, unfortunately for us. He's been giving this Company grief since the day of his arrival in London." Newport's feelings towards Smith obviously have not changed. "Now, if you care to discuss the next move in unloading this boat…"
"When is Smith planning on returning?" Thomas interrupted, wanting more information on his friend.
"On the next ship I believe. It's scheduled to arrive in five months. Now about this shipment…"
"Ben. Lon." Thomas turned to his friends who stood next to him. "Take care of this will you?"
"Sure lad." Lon replied.
"Excuse me." Thomas quickly tipped his hat and turned to leave.
"Just where do you think you are going! We have important matters to discuss." Newport huffed.
"I'm going to deliver a bit of good news!" Thomas shouted back.
The Powhatan village was alive with activity today just as it was on any day. Women cooking, men out hunting, and children playing in the late afternoon. Baskets filled with corn lined up alongside of the chief's hut, ready to be taken the colony they had begun to trade with.
Pocahontas stood in the middle of that hut, annoyed because she was having the same discussion with her father that she had many times before.
"My daughter." Powhatan spoke in a gentle voice to his favorite daughter. "I know it is hard for you, but the time has come for you to choose a husband."
"Father, I'm not ready. John Smith has only been away…"
"For many, many moons now and it is time that you moved on Matoaka." Powhatan told her, putting a hand on her cheek as he always did. "I only want what's best for you."
Pocahontas smiled slightly at the mention of her real name. Matoaka, the name given to her did not fit and was almost never used. Pocahontas, little wanton, fit her curious nature much more. But, her name was not what weighed on her mind. How could he understand what she was going through? She did not know if John was alive or dead. If he were alive, how could she go through with a marriage knowing he may come back for her someday? If he were dead, how could she go on knowing that her first love could not be here with her? "Please, I must wait for him. A little longer father, that's all I need."
He knew he had been beaten when he looked into the soft brown eyes of his beloved daughter. "Very well, you shall wait, but not too long."
"Chief Powhatan."
Pocahontas and her father turned towards the opening of the hut where one of the guards appeared, calling for the Chief.
"Chief Powhatan, there is an Englishman out here who wishes to speak with Pocahontas." The guard held the deerskin flap of the hut open and the Chief, followed by his daughter, walked out into the light of day to see the unexpected visitor. Pocahontas' face lit up as she saw who it was.
"Thomas!" She exclaimed and ran to him. They embraced; glad to finally meet one another again. "Pocahontas, it's been quite a long time." Thomas said, smiling with delight at the thought of what reaction his news would bring. "I come carrying wonderful news for you."
"Really? What is it?" She asked excitedly.
"Well, a new shipment of supplies just arrived from London and with it came news of John Smith." Thomas told her. "He's alive and well and coming back to Jamestown on the next ship due in five months."
Pocahontas' eyes widened and her heart raced as the wonderful news came to her ears. He was finally coming back to her. She couldn't believe it. Pocahontas turned to her father. "See, I knew he would come back for me. May I wait five months before my wedding?" She asked, beaming.
Powhatan smiled warmly. His heart was full when his daughter was happy and now was no different. The Chief loved Captain Smith, the man that saved his life, and welcomed the chance for him to marry Pocahontas. "Of course you may my daughter. My heart soars at this news." He put his arms lovingly around his daughter.
"I'm glad to see you smiling again. When you left the colony all those months ago, there was no smile to be seen on your face. It flatters you, if it's not to bold to say." Thomas told her. His cheeks turned a light shade of pink, reminding himself and those around him that his shyness had not fully left him.
"It is not." Pocahontas said. She smiled at the innocent man before her. "Thank you for bringing the news."
"You're very welcome."
"You!" One of the native men called.
Thomas looked over to see who was calling him. It was a man, much older than Thomas himself, holding a bow and an arrow. He motioned for Thomas to come to him. "I think he wants to challenge you to a shooting match." Pocahontas explained to her friend. "He is? Why?" Thomas asked, shocked by the suddenness of the challenge, but he was pulled away by Chief Powhatan, who lead him over to where the other man was standing.
"My brother, what he wants is to see how your English weapons stand up against our own. This has been a question among our people from the beginning of your settlement here." Powhatan explained. "Will you try your hand at it?"
"I'll try." Thomas said. He was nervous at the thought of going up against the archery skills of these natives. It was what they were most famous for.
The native man smiled when he was certain Thomas would join him in the contest. He raised the bow, aimed at the target set up on a tree, and shot. The arrow landed almost dead center. The man was proud of himself and boasted to everyone around that the Englishman could not do any better than what was just accomplished.
Thomas was up next. Pocahontas smiled at him as he walked up to the spot the other man had been standing. She remembered how awkward he was with a rifle, even though the fact he had killed a member of her people should have made her think his aim was getting better, she still believed that he could not possibly win.
He took his place, aimed his rifle, and shot, just like the one before had, but this time a loud bang echoed through the village making everyone start at the sound. When the smoke cleared, it was seen that his shot was a winner, hitting the target directly in the middle, dislodging the arrow from its' rightful place.
Cheers and claps were heard all around from surprised villagers who had not expected the non-native to win, but Thomas proved them all wrong. Chief Powhatan walked up to Thomas and took his hand. "You did well my brother."
"Thank you." Thomas replied and almost burst into laughter as he looked over to Pocahontas. She stared, bewildered at the once shy and unsure boy that she had met months earlier. "How did you do that?" She asked him, half smiling, half still staring in disbelief.
Thomas smiled as he held his gun up to his shoulders. He cocked his head towards her and said, "both eyes open."
A/N- I hope you liked it! This flashback will be continued later, maybe not the next chapter