Near present-day Colonial Beach, Smith and his crew encountered a Wiccomico man, Mosco, who bore a heavy beard that was unusual for Indian men and more than likely indicated a European ancestry.

Mosco was overjoyed to see, for the first time, others as hairy as himself after years of good-natured teasing by his smooth-skinned tribe members. He quickly established himself as the expedition's guide and facilitator for the trip up the Patawomeck (Potomac) River.