Newport went with Smith to trade with Powhatan, letting Smith talk out a day first before he appeared.
"What about those guns my men were to bring back, but did not?" the great chief asked.
"I told Rawhide and another to tote home the two best we had."
"Big ones! You knew very well that they could not lift them. If you had given them small ones, we would have been quite satisfied."
"I did not want your gracious highness to think me more stingy than yourself." Smith kept a straight face if not a straight record. "They didn't even try to lift them."
"No wonder. You scared them with that thunder at your gates, and they ran home."
"You should have brave warriors. Mine too are sometimes cowards, and weak with hunger besides. We want corn."
"What shall you pay—guns?"
Smith diverted him with presents, but the Indian kept his disdainful manner.
"Captain Newport, it is not agreeable with my greatness in this paltry manner to trade for trifles and I esteem you a great chief. Therefore, lay down all your commodities together, and what I like I will take."