stuffed with straw.

In the great joy of the colony at the arrival of the first supply, leave
was given to sailors to trade with the Indians, and the new-comers soon
so raised prices that it needed a pound of copper to buy a quantity
of provisions that before had been obtained for an ounce. Newport
sent great presents to Powhatan, and, in response to the wish of the
"Emperor," prepared to visit him. "A great coyle there was to set him
forward," says Smith. Mr. Scrivener and Captain Smith, and a guard of
thirty or forty, accompanied him. On this expedition they found the
mouth of the Pamaunck (now York) River. Arriving at Werowocomoco,
Newport, fearing treachery, sent Smith with twenty men to land and
make a preliminary visit. When they came ashore they found a network of
creeks which were crossed by very shaky bridges, constructed of crotched
sticks and poles, which had so much the appearance of traps that Smith
would not cross them until many of the Indians had preceded him, while
he kept others with him as hostages. Three hundred savages conducted
him to Powhatan, who received him in great state. Before his house were
ranged forty or fifty great platters of fine bread. Entering his house,
"with loude tunes they made all signs of great joy." In the first
account Powhatan is represented as surrounded by his principal women and
chief men, "as upon a throne at the upper end of the house, with such
majesty as I cannot express, nor yet have often seen, either in Pagan
or Christian." In the later account he is "sitting upon his bed of mats,
his pillow of leather embroidered (after their rude manner with pearls
and white beads), his attire a fair robe of skins as large as an Irish
mantel; at his head and feet a handsome young woman; on each side of his
house sat twenty of his concubines, their heads and shoulders painted
red, with a great chain of white beads about each of their necks. Before
those sat his chiefest men in like order in his arbor-like house."
This is the scene that figures in the old copper-plate engravings. The
Emperor welcomed Smith with a kind countenance, caused him to sit beside
him, and with pretty discourse they renewed their old acquaintance.
Smith presented him with a suit of red cloth, a white greyhound, and a
hat. The Queen of Apamatuc, a comely young savage, brought him water,
a turkeycock, and bread to eat. Powhatan professed great content with
Smith, but desired to see his father, Captain Newport.