ough to carry one to
Werowocomoco?"

The Indians looked them over appraisingly, wondering if they could drag
them through the forest.

"Set the match to this one, Dickon," commanded Smith with a grim smile.
"It behooves us to frighten well this escort of mine, or they would be
trying to carry off one of my iron pets here to a strange kennel."

Dickon took up a tinder-box that lay on the bench beside him, and in a
moment under the fixed gaze of his audience struck a light and applied
it to the flax at the breech. There was a flash, then a loud report, and
the Indians, as if actually hit, fell to the ground, where they stayed
until they gradually convinced themselves that they were unhurt.

"If ye had been in front instead of behind ye had been killed," Smith
said solemnly, desiring to impress them with the terrors of the white
man's magic.

The Indians got to their feet and, though they said nothing, and did not
attempt to run, John Smith knew that they were more terrified than they
had ever been in their lives.

"Come," he said, leading the way from the fort to the town. "Since ye
find our guns too heavy and too noisy I will seek more suitable presents
for Powhatan and for you."

The colonists, roused by the cannon shot, had run out from their doors
to see what had happened. They could scarcely believe their eyes, and it
was not until Smith called to them by name and questioned them in regard
to the happenings at Jamestown since his departure, that they were
convinced he was himself. All were thin and gaunt, and they peered
hungrily at the baskets of food the Indians bore. Most of them greeted
Smith with genuine pleasure; others there were who frowned at the sight
of him, who barely nodded a welcome, who answered him surlily and who
got together in twos and threes to talk quickly as he passed on.

Smith led the way to the storehouse and bidding the Indians wait
outside, he went within and persuaded the man in charge to permit him to
take a number of articles. When he came out his arms were full of
colored cloths and beads, steel knives and trinkets of many sorts. The
Indians gave him their baskets to empty and he filled them with the
presents, going back for iron pots and kettles of glistening brass.
These he bade them carry to Powhatan. To each of his guides he gave
something for himself. Then speaking slowly, he said to Copotone:

"Kehaten Pokahontas patiaquagh niugh tanks manotyens neer mowmowchick
rawreno