For many years after the discovery of America, it was thought that it was only a narrow strip of land, and that a short journey to the westward would take one to the South Sea on the other side. As late as 1609, when Henry Hudson sailed up the stream named for him, it was in the belief that he had not far to go to reach that vast body of water. Captain Smith was ordered to explore the streams in the neighborhood of Jamestown. In obedience to this command, he set out to learn the sources of the Chickahominy. He went up that stream until the waters became too shallow to allow the barge to go farther, when he stepped with two of his men and two friendly Indians into a canoe and paddled away. He told those left in the boat to stay in the middle of the stream, and forbade them to approach either bank until he came back. But he had not been gone long, when those that remained became tired of sitting motionless in the barge, knowing that their leader could not join them for many hours, and mayhap not for two or three days. Peering into the woods and listening, they saw and heard nothing to cause fear. So after talking for a little time, they paddled to shore and stepped out on land. They had hardly done so, when they were attacked by Indians and one killed, the others escaping with great difficulty. The news they took back to Jamestown made every one believe they would never again see Smith or his companions. Meanwhile, the pioneer was pushing his way into the wilderness, with no thought of what had befallen the men left behind in the barge. The light canoe was just buoyant enough to float himself and friends, and they paddled up the narrowing stream with all possible care. The day was wearing away, and, since they had no food, Smith decided to hunt for wild fowl. Landing, he went forward alone, never dreaming that Opecancanough with a large body of warriors was tracking him through the woods. This chief came upon the two Englishmen while they were asleep and killed both. Then they hurried after Smith, who they knew could not be far away. When the pioneer caught sight of the dusky figures flitting among the trees, firing their arrows and pressing towards him, he tried to retreat to his canoe, but soon saw that he would be cut off. He seized one of his Indian companions and swung him round in front, as a shield. The pursuers did not wish to harm a member of their own race, and Smith found for a time that the novel armor served him well. As fast as he could load his gun he fired into the swarm of warriors, who were so close together that he did not miss. He wounded a number and said he killed three, which may be true.