Smith Takes Control of Jamestown

Pocohontos protecting Captain Smith

In the spring of 1608, Captain John Smith, who was a natural leader, took control of the settlement. Smith overcame one of the major problems of the settlement, the unwillingness of many of the noblemen to work. He made a simple rule: no work ... no food.

Smith spent time scouting for food, and on one of those missions, one of the greatest stories in American history took place. He was captured by the local Native American and brought to their camp. Then, when he was about to be killed, Pocahontas the favorite daughter of Powhatan, the Indian chief, jumped out and stopped him from being killed. From that moment on Pocohantas considered Smith a brother and helped him obtain food and other supplies from the local Indian tribes.

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