hed cautiously, ready to find safety in the
rocky caves in case these proved unfriendly people.

The vessel dropped anchor and a small boat brought eight men ashore. The
leader was Capt. John Smith, who had sailed from England to learn what he
could of the New World, and whether it was a desirable place for
colonists. As this group of small islands attracted him, he had landed to
see what could be found.

Nonowit, from his hiding place, watched the astonishment of the white men
when they came upon the burning coals of his fire. Then his turn of
surprise came, for one face of that group was familiar to him. The
features of Jacques had been stamped upon his boyhood mind, never to be
erased. He now recognized the French boy who, since that first trip
across the ocean, had learned his father's art of cooking and had hired
out as steward to this English captain.

Springing from his cave, Nonowit appeared before the wondering men, who
drew back, fearing him one of a band of hidden Indians. Suddenly, Jacques
caught a glimpse of the knife, cut with his own mark, thrust into the
Indian's belt. It was the very dirk he had won by his well-danced
hornpipe on his voyage with M. Champlain.

After an exchange of friendly greetings, the Indian led the English party
about and visited with them the smaller islands of the group. The low
green bushes and bold rocky shores surrounded by the sparkling ocean so
pleased Captain Smith that he gave the group his own name, calling
Smith's Isles what later have been known as the Isles of Shoals.

The seamen learned of Nonowit's lost canoe and offered to take him
ashore. As they approached the mainland, the wooded coast with its lone
mountain and later the safe harbor and rocky shores were most attractive
to these Englishmen.

On through the Narrows they sailed, as did Martin Pring many years
before. This time, Nonowit was aboard the vessel that his people watched
from the bank by the fresh spring where they had made their encampment.
It is near the spot where Portsmouth markets now stand. Perhaps the first
marketing was done that day, for Captain Smith was ready to trade knives,
beads, fish lines, and hooks for the furs the Indians offered. Jacques
prepared stews and porridge for these new friends, and in turn the
Indians feasted the sailors upon maize and bear meat.

After Nonowit had well described the coast lines to Captain Smith, he
presented dried fish and deer meat for the journey, an