At the same time settlers were to offer to aid Powhatan against a tribe with which he was at war. When this message was sent to him, the haughty old leader told the English that since he was a king he would not go to Jamestown, and as for the offered help, he did not wish it, as he knew how to manage his own affairs. [Illustration: OPECANCANOUGH IN CAPTIVITY] Among the emigrants who came over with Newport were three Germans, who believed because of the woful state of the colony that it could not last much longer. They gave their views to Powhatan, and were base enough to offer to help him in putting all the English to death. The old chief fell in with the plan, and agreed that the first step necessary was to "remove" Captain Smith. Powhatan tried many tricks to get him in his power, but that wise man outwitted him every time. The chief warned his warriors that if they failed to kill Smith he would have them slain. About this time a strange accident brought safety to the sturdy governor. One of Powhatan's men had by some means got hold of a quantity of gunpowder, which he told his friends he could handle as well as the whites themselves. Several gathered round to watch him, when the stuff suddenly blew up and killed the Indian and two of his companions. Powhatan and the others were terrified, and filled with a desire for peace. They brought back many stolen articles, and, in 1609, sent half their crop of corn to the settlers. About this time, Captain Smith was so shockingly burned by the burning of his powder bags, that he went to England for surgical aid and never returned to Virginia. It should be added that of the three wicked Germans, one died miserably, and the others were slain by order of Powhatan, because of their deception. The colonists told the chief that Smith was dead, but he would not believe it, and some time later sent one of his chiefs, Tomocomo, to England, to learn what had become of him. Tomocomo was also ordered to find out all he could about the country, and to learn how many white people were there. The faithful servant began his duty by carrying a long stick into which he cut a notch every time he met a stranger. Needless to say that this means of taking the census proved a failure. When he came back to Virginia and Powhatan asked as to the population on the other side of the deep water, Tomocomo made his famous answer: "Count the stars in the sky, the leaves on the trees, and the sand upon the seashore, for such is the number of people in England."