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frontispiece

168. Selected image: frontispiece. Source: The Chief's Daughter; or, The Settlers in Virginia. London, 1859. Despite the title and the provocative opening image, Pocahontas does not play much of a role in this anonymous novel, which is rather loosely based on the historical record, and, though Pocahontas is drawn to Smith and does rescue him, there is not even much of a relationship. Chaplain Hunt is pretty much the central character, and he is interested in converting Pocahontas. When she comes to Jamestown willingly as a hostage in peace negotiations, he teaches her, and she returns to her people with the hope that she has "enough of the spirit of Christianity to be a blessing to her people" and to be "ever afterwards . . . on the side of peace." There is no baptism, Rolfe, marriage, England visit -- the story ends with Hunt's death and Smith's return home.
[illustrated; novel]
[Electronic Version]