bands of Matacoran beset the path on every side; the river is the only hope. (A flash of lightning.) Ha! a storm is brewing, and how will these little hands, us'd only to guide the canoe in sportive race on a smooth and glassy surface, wage its struggling way, when raging billows uprear their foamy crests? Brave English, gallant, courteous Rolfe. (Thunder.) Night comes on apace—Oh, night of horror! (Clasps her hands and looks up to heaven as if in prayer.) Thank thee, good Spirit; I feel thy holy influence on my heart. English Rolfe, I will save thee, or Pocahontas be no more.
(Rushes out.)
Scene 7. A hunting lodge composed of mats and poles. View of the river.
(Enter Selictaz, leading the English. Indians following with baskets on their heads.)
Selictaz. Rest ye here, my noble captain, and your good companions. The king, most careful of thy persons, commends thee to this rude lodge as a shelter against the falling dews, and the storm that seems fast gathering; and of his gracious bounty has sent ye good store of victual.
Smith. The king is most royal in his bounty, and most ample in his stores.
Selictaz. The king desires that ye will not spare the victual, but feast and be merry. (Aside.) 'Twill be thy last feast.
Smith. On your return, present our humble duty to his highness; and had we a flask of good Rhenish here, in troth we would drink a deep carouse to his highness's health, and that of his daughter, our esteem'd good friend.
Selictaz. Had ye not better lay aside your armour? Sure it will hinder your rest.
Smith. The English soldier is so us'd to his iron panoply that it seems as light to him as thy thin harness is to thee. Lieutenant, prepare for the night.
Percy. The watch-word, an' so please ye, and we'll set the guard.
(Selictaz gives attention.)
Smith. What ye like; suppose thine own fair mistress.
Rolfe. What say ye to the Princess Pocahontas, our well approv'd friend?
Smith. The princess then, with all my heart.
West. Aha! Master Rolfe, remember the wood—thou hast an arrow in thy heart—deep, deep, I say.
Percy. This charm'd word wall protect us in our rest, but disturb the sleep of our bon camarado.
West. Of a truth, she is the friend of the English.
Smith. Be that the watch-word—Pocahontas, the friend of the English.
(Selictaz retires satisfied.)
Percy. So please ye, any further orders?
Smith. None. And now to rest, each in his soldier's cloak, his shield his pillow, and embracing his arms as he would soft and yielding beauty. Gentle sirs, good rest to ye, and many sweet dreamings of your lady loves; while wrapped up in my roquelaire, I will think awhile; till lull'd by the measur'd pacing of the guard, and the wild plaintive notes Virginia night birds sing, I too shall slumber. The guardian spirits which watch o'er the soldier's rude couch, keep ye all in their holy keeping. Give ye good night—good night.
(Slow music—curtain falls.)
ACT THIRD.
Scene 1. The hunting lodge as before. Night. Thunder and lightning. The river appears agitated. English asleep. Soldier on guard. Pocahontas is seen in a canoe struggling with the waves; she lands, and approaches the guard; a paddle in her hand.)
Soldier. Who comes there? Stand.
Pocahontas. Oh, for breath (leaning on her paddle). I fear that I shall expire ere I can save them.
Soldier. What, ho! I say, the watch-word, or I fire.
(Presenting his piece.)
Pocahontas. 'T is Pocahontas comes—Pocahontas, the friend of the English.
Soldier. Right—Pass.
Pocahontas. What, are they so still, and death so near? English, arouse ye, or ye die.
Smith. (Starting up.) Who calls? Is it day-dawn already? Ah, my mistress, what can have brought thee abroad, and the elements so rude and angry? Surely thou has held some revelry to-night, and supposing that we poor soldiers are but
