And there was the merchant skipper, showing off his goods, and quoting for each a weight of tobacco.

The planter wanted to get rid of his crop, and knew that this was his only chance, while the merchant could very well sell his leavings elsewhere.

So the dice were cogged from the start, and I have seen a plain kitchen chair sold for fifty pounds of sweet-scented, or something like the price at which a joiner in Glasgow would make a score and leave himself a handsome profit.
* * * * * The upshot was that I paid a visit to the Governor, Mr.Francis Nicholson, whom my lord Howard had left as his deputy.

Governor Nicholson had come from New York not many months before with a great repute for ill-temper and harsh dealing; but I liked the look of his hard-set face and soldierly bearing, and I never mind choler in a man if he have also honesty and good sense.

So I waited upon him at his house close by Middle Plantation, on the road between James Town and York River.
I had a very dusty reception.