of twelve or thirteen years, finding that her entreaties to save the life of Smith were useless, rushed forward, clasped his head in her arms, and laid her own upon it, determined either to save his life or share his fate. The stern heart of the father was touched. He spared his captive's life, and sent him back to his countrymen.

15. This striking incident is the first thing we know or hear of Pocahontas; and this alone is enough to prove that she must have been no common person. That so young a girl should have felt pity for Captain Smith, instead of the terror and aversion 10 10 which were entertained by others of her race, proves her to have

had a kind and loving heart, which recognized" in him the claims of a man and a brother.

16. But this tenderness and humanity of hers would have been of no use, had she not also been a brave girl, who did not fear to oppose her father's will, and per. haps provoke his anger. To be loving and brave at the same time makes up a fine character.

12

17. All that we hear of Pocahontas afterwards is consistent with the kindness and humanity she showed on this memorable 13 occasion." About a year afterwards, when Captain Smith and some of his people had gone into her father's country in search of food, a plan was laid to attack them by night, which probably would have been successful, had not Pocahontas come through the woods at night and informed them of it.

18. Captain Smith returned to England in 1609. The next year Powhatan attacked the English settlers, and killed thirty-one of their number; but a boy that fell into his hands was saved by Pocahontas, and lived many years among the Indians.

19. In 1612, Pocahontas, who was living apart from her father, was persuaded to go on board an English ship in the James River; and when there she was detained, and was told that she could not go back to her own people. The English wanted to get possession of her, in order to make peace on favorable terms with her father; and that was the reason she had been asked on board the vessel. But, though they kept her a prisoner, they treated her kindly.

20. While she was thus living, a young gentleman, named John Rolfe, fell in love with her, and she returned his attachment. With the consent of her father, they were married in April, 1613, and in 1616

she went to England with her husband. She had previously embraced the Christian faith, and been baptized under the name of Rebecca. In England she saw her old friend, Captain Smith, and was an object of much interest and attention.

21. But in 1617, as she was preparing to return to Virginia, she was taken ill and died, being then about twenty-two years old. She left one son; and many

persons now living in Virginia are descended from her, and are justly proud of the distinction.15

1. Two little, rough-worn, stubbed shoes,

A plump, well-trodden pair,

With stripéd stockings thrust within,
Lie just beside my chair.

2. Of very homely fabric' they;

A hole is in each toe;

They might have cost, when they were new,
Some fifty cents, or so.

3. And yet this little worn-out pair
Is richer far to me

Than all the jewelled sandals' are
Of Eastern luxury.'

4. This mottled' leather, cracked with use,
Is satin in my sight;

These little, tarnished' buttons shine
With all a diamond's light.

5. Search through the wardrobe' of the world, You cannot find me, there,

So rarely made, so richly wrought,
So glorious a pair.

6. And why? Because they tell of her
Now sound asleep above,

Whose form is moving beauty, and
Whose heart is beating love.

7. They tell me of her merry laugh;
Her rich, whole-hearted glee;
Her gentleness and innocence,
And infant purity.

8. They tell me that her wavering steps
Will long demand my aid;

For the old road of human life
Is very roughly laid.

9. High hills and swift descents abound;
And, on so rude a way,

Feet that can wear these coverings
Would surely go astray.

10. Sweet little girl, be mine the task
Thy feeble steps to tend;
To be thy guide, thy counsellor,
Thy playmate, and thy friend.

11. And when my steps shall faltering grow,
And thine be firm and strong,

Thy strength shall lead my tottering age
In cheerful peace along.

1 FABRIC. Material, texture.

SANDAL. A shoe consisting of a sole fastened to the foot.

4 MOTTLED. Spotted, speckled.
5 TARNISHED. Sullied, soiled.
6 DIAMOND. The hardest and most
valuable of all the precious stones.
7 WARDROBE. A room in which
clothes are kept; also, clothes.

[Aleck and Martin are two boys, who have had a quarrel, on a piazza, about a bak, and are at a distance from each other, looking very sulky. Orkney, who is a good and sensible boy, and acts as a peacemaker among the other scholars, comes up, and observes them, and by what he says makes them see how foolishly they have acted, but does not scold them, or make them angry. He makes them laugh at themselves, and then they forget their anger.]

1. Orkney. WELL, boys, are you having a good time

with the game you are playing?