There was a sudden collision. The tumbler’s stout little feet came plump against the breast of Ra-bun-ta, and so sudden and unexpected was the shock that both recoiled, and runner and gymnast alike tumbled over in a writhing heap upon the very edge of one of the big bonfires, Then there was a great shout of laughter, for the Indians dearly loved a joke, and such a rough piece of unintentional pleasantry was especially relished.
“Wa, wa, Ra-bun-ta,” they shouted, pointing at the discomfited runner as he picked himself out of the fire, “knocked over by a girl!”
And the deep voice of the old chief said half sternly, half tenderly:
“My daughter, you have wellnigh killed our brother Ra-bun-ta with your foolery. That is scarce girls’ play. Why will you be such a po-ca-hun-tas?” (1)
(1) Po-ca-hun-tas, Algonquin for a little “tomboy.”
The runner joined in the laugh against him quite as merrily as did the rest, and made a dash at the little ten-year-old tumbler, which she as nimbly evaded, “Ma-ma-no-to-wic,” (1) he said, “the feet of Ma-ta-oka are even heavier than the snake of Nun-ta-quaus, her brother. I have but escaped them both with my life. Ma-ma-no-to-wic, I have news for you. The braves, with your brother O-pe-chan-ca-nough, have taken the pale-face chief in the Chickahominy swamps and are bringing him to the council-house.”
(1) “Great man” or “strong one,” a title by which Wa-bun-so-na-cook, or Powhatan, was frequently addressed.
“Wa,” said the old chief, “it is well, we will be ready for him.”
At once Ra-bun-ta was surrounded and plied with questions. The earlier American Indians were always a very inquisitive folk, and were great gossips. Ra-bun-ta’s news would furnish fire-pit talk for months, so they must know all the particulars. What was this white cau-co-rouse, (captain or leader) like? What had he on? Did he use his magic against the braves? Were any of them killed?
For the fame of “the white cau-co-rouse,” the “great captain,” as the Indians called the courageous and intrepid little governor of the Virginia colony, Captain John Smith, had already gone throughout the confederacy, and his capture was even better than a victory over their deadliest enemies, the Manna-ho-acks.