“I have been in this wilderness long enough to know that the savages fear only one thing—not the dark of night, or the forest, or any man now living. The savages fear our weapons. And because they do, they are more inclined toward trading and living at peace with us.
Therefore, if it comes to me that any one of you has disclosed the use of our weapons to a single savage or has traded with them your weapons for corn or any commodity, that man I will slay with my own hand.”
The Captain’s words had a sobering effect upon all of us. I began to suspect, in earnest, that this colony of Virginia was not the paradise that Richard claimed. Captain Smith’s words, however, did not seem to have the same effect on Richard. I was ready to depart the place and take my chances back in England, but Richa
