John Smith Case

Journal 2:

The story about John Smith was very interesting even though I've read about and heard stories about him since I was a child. I didn't know as much as what I've learned reading this assignment. He was a determined man that fought hard for what he wanted, which was to claim America for his King as well as entice people to come to America. While in the Military he was taken prisoner and almost executed. "Smith was wounded in battle, taken prisoner, and sold into slavery to a Turk..." (Smith J. (1596-1631) pp.43). He wrote many journals before and after he was captured while he was in the military and by the Powhatan, overlord to the Chesapeake Bay Indians. "Two days after, Powhatan, having discussed himself in the most fear fullest manner he could, caused Captian Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods and there upon a mat by the fire to be left alone."(Smith J. (1596-1631) pp.52). Some of his writings about his experiences I believe might have been unreliable, but they were mostly true. After being held captive and thinking he would be slain by the Indians. He was rescued by the Kings daughter Pocahontas and eventually able to trade and become friends with the Indians. "Not long after behind a mat that divided the house, was made the most dolefulness noise he ever heard; then Powhatan more like a devil than a man, with some two hundred more as black as himself, came unto him and told him now they were friends, and presently going to Jamestown to send him two great guns and a grindstone for which he would give him the country of Capahowasic and forever esteem him as his son Nantaquoud." (Smith J. (1596-1631) pp.52).