savages, who supposed the whites to be some sort of gods. They implored Smith to destroy the Massawomeks.
The explorers sailed directly up the bay until they saw it divide. They explored two of the branches on the western side without finding any river of importance. Then, in crossing, the party encountered a fleet of seven or eight canoes, full of Indians, who appeared to he preparing for fight. An epidemic had fallen on the explorers, so that only five of them could stand. The others lay under the shade of the tarpaulin. Smith set up their hats on sticks to look like men. He then fired two or three muskets so that the bullets went skipping over the water close to the canoes. The noise and the long range of the bullets frightened the Indians, who pulled their canoes in to the shore with all speed. They landed and awaited the approach of the barge, whose great size seemed to awe them somewhat. Smith made signs of friendship, and at last two of the Indians ventured to come on board the barge. Their fellows followed them within bow-shot, to assist them at need. Each of the two ambassadors was presented with a bell. They then returned and brought on board the whole Indian party,
