POCAHONTAS : PLANTING THE SEEDS OF ROMANCE

She was an Algonquian Indian Princess, an English hostage, a Christian convert and was instrumental in keeping peace between the Indians and the English Settlers of Virginia in the early 1600s. Yet, perhaps her most famous and cherished contribution to American History was an act of kindness that planted the seeds for a tale of a romance that never existed.

Pocahontas' story most often comes to life in the pages of American folklore. Of her many contributions to society, her role in saving the life of colonist John Smith is the most well-known. It was this act that transformed her into one of the most-romanticized folk heroes in history.

John Smith, the supposed lover of the beautiful princess, was a respected Englishman, as well as was a proud and boastful man. He had proven himself to be a bold leader with a great deal of self-confidence. These qualities led to his appointment as the man in charge of assisting America's Jamestown colonists in fighting off the local Indians.

One day in December, 1607, Indian deer hunters ambushed Smith and his companions. After his capture, he is taken to the Indian village, where he falls into the hands of the powerful and wise Chief Powhatan (Wahunsonacock). At this time, Smith is about twenty-seven years of age.

The most beloved version of the legend portrays Chief Powhatan as an iron-fisted ruler who had given instructions to smash Smith's head. In this portrayal, the killing is stopped when Powhatan's favorite daughter offers her own life in exchange for that of the Englishman. The Chief honors his daughter's request and lets John Smith walk away a free man. Of course, the girl is this scene is the eleven-year old Matoaka, who becomes later known as Pocahontas.

Another telling of the tale says that Powhatan was so impressed with Smith and his accomplishments that the Chief performed a ritual or trial to make Smith part of the tribe. Another relates that Chief Powhatan, in an effort to maintain peace between his tribe and the white man, adopts John Smith as his son and makes him a subordinate chief of the tribe.

Yet another version tells that Smith was so confused as to what was the purpose of his capture, that he didn't know if he would live or die until Pocahontas stepped in and saved him.

According to The Assocation for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, "Smith's own writings say he was "first welcomed by the great chief and offerred a feast. Then, he was grabbed and forced to stretch out on two large, flat stones. Indians stood over him with clubs as though ready to beat him to

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