According to smith, why did chief powhatan decide to spare smith's life?

He spared his life because of Pocahontas.

Explanation:

According toThe Age of Reason era, Smith was welcomed by the chief of Powhatan nation to a great feast and after the feast, the Indians took him and made him lie on two big stones, about to beat him to death, but Pocahontas, the chief's daughter rushed in and put her head on his to save him, which forced the chief to spare his life, and by extension, his daughter.

during the pueblo revolt, father de mora hid most of the gold in the mine and covered the entrance. he tried to take some of the gold with him, but had to leave it behind in order to escape.