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468 New England in America.
Passing on, at length, one of the company, an Indian,
espied a man ; and told the rest of it We asked them,
If they feared any ?
They told us. That if they were Narrohigganset
[jyarrograTWC^t] men, they would not trust them.
Whereat, we called for our pieces [mu«A:eto]; and
bade them not to fear : for, though they were twenty,
we two alone would not care for them.
But they hailing him, he proved a friend ; and had
only two women with him. Their baskets were empty ;
but they fetched water in their bottles: so that we
drank with them, and departed
After, we met another man with other two women ;
which had been at [a] randevow [encampment] by the
salt water ; and their baskets were f uU of roasted crab
fishes, and other dried shellfish. Of which they gave us ;
and we eat and drank with them: and gave each of
the women a string of beads, and departed.
After, we came to a town * of Massasott's ; where
we eat oysters and other fish.
From thence, we went to Packanokick t : but
Massasott was not at home. There we stayed; he
being sent for.
When news was brought of his coming, our guide
TiSQUANTUM requested that, at our meeting, we would
discharge our pieces. But one of us going about to
charge his piece ; the women and children, through fear
* This was probably at Matapoyst [tee pages 471, 548, 656] nofw
known as Gardner's Neck, in Swansey, Massa. — H. M. Dxxtib, Lib, of New
BngkMd Hist,, I. 106, Ed. 1865, 4.
t While Packanokik was a general name for the Wampanoag territory,
in the neighbonrhood of what are now Warren, Bristol, Aq., Rhode Island ;
the Indian village here intended was Sowams, bnilt around the spring,
oalled MaBsaaoit's Spring, near Baker's Wharf, in Warren. — Idem,
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New England in America. 469
to see him take up his piece, ran away ; and oonld not
be pacified till he laid it down again ; who afterward
were better informed by onr interpreter.
Massasott being come [on TTecineatiay, 4<A Jvly\
we discharged our pieces, and saluted him : who (after
their manner) kindly welcomed us, and took us into
his house, and set us down by him. Where, having
delivered our foresaid Message, and presents; and [he]
having put the coat on his back and the chain about
his neck ; he was not a little proud to behold himself,
and his men also to see tiieir King, so bravely
attired.
For Answer to our Message, he told us :
We v)ere welcome; amd he would gladly continue
that peace arid friendship which was between hi/m amd
U8 ; and for his Tnen^ they ehovld no more pester us as
they had done. Also that he would send to Paomet
[Pamet]; and would help us with com for seed:
according to our request.
This being done, his men gathered near to him : to
whom he turned himself, and made a great speech ; they
sometimes interposing, and, as it were, confirming and
applauding him in that he said. The meaning whereof
was, as far as we could learn, thus :
Was not he, Massasott, Commander of the country
about them? Was not such a town his, and the
people of it? and should they not bring their skins
imto us?
To which they answered. These were his ; and would
be at peace with us, and bring their skins to us.
After this manner, he named at least thirty places ;
and their answer was as aforesaid, to every one : so that,
as it was delightful, [so] it was tedious, unto us.
This being ended ; he lighted tobacco for us : and fell
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470 New England in America,
tx) diflooursiBg of England and of the King's Majesty ;
marvelling that he would live without a wife [Qtt^cniliW^
{of DeriTnark) had died in 1619]. Also he talked of the
Frenchmen ; bidding us not to suffer them to come to
Narrohiganset [Na/ragan8ett\ for it was King James his
country ; and he also was King James his man.
Late it grew; but victuals he offered none: for
indeed he had not any; [it] being he came so newly
home. So we desired to go to rest
He laid us on the bed with himself and his wife;
they at one end, and we at the other: it being only
planks laid a foot from the ground, and a thin mat upon
them. Two more of his chief men, for want of room
pressed by and upon us : so that we were worse weary of
our lodging, than of our journey.
The next day, being Thursday [, 5th Jvly\ many of
their Sachems or petty Governors came to see us ; and
many of their men also. There, they went to their
manner of games for skins and knives. There, we
challenged them to shoot with them for skins : but they
durst not. Only they desired to see one of us shoot
at a mark: who shooting with hail shot \bvrd 8hot\
they wondered to see the mark so full of holes.
About one of the clock, Massasoyt brought two
fishes [? hoes] that he had shot [with an arrow} They
were like bream ; but three times so big, and better
meat. These being boiled; there were at least forty
[that] looked for share in them. The most eat of them.
This meal only we had in two nights and a day [ie.
at Sowami8\ : and had not one of us bought a partridge,
we had taken our journey fasting.
Very importunate he was, to have us stay with him
longer : but we desired to keep the Sabbath at home ;
and feared we should be ligUtheaded for want of
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New England in America. 47 1
sleep. For what with bad lodging; the savages'
barbarous singing, for they use to sing themselves
asleep; lice and fleas within doors; and muskeetoes
\m(MqvMjoes\ without: we could hardly sleep all the
time of our being there. We much feared that if we
should stay any longer, we should not be able to
recover home for want of strength.
So that, on the Friday morning [, 6tA JvJ/y\ before
sunrising, we took our leave and departed ; Massasott
being both grieved and ashamed that he could no better
entertain us : and, retaining Tisquantum to send from
place to place to procure truck for us, he appointed
another, called Tokamahamon, in his place; whom
we had found faithful before, and after, on all
occasiona
At this town of Massasott's where we before eat,
[? ilfatoj>u^8f], we were again refreshed with a little
fish: and bought about a handful of meal of their
parched com, which was very precious at that time of
the year ; and a small sking of dried shellfish, as big as
oysters. The latter we gave to the six savages that
accompanied us ; keeping the meal for ourselves. When
we drank, we eat each a spoonful of it, [together] with
[smoking] a pipe of tobacco ; instead of other victuals :
and of this also, we could not but give them, so long as
it lasted.
Five miles, they led us, to a house, out of the way, in
hope of victuals : but we found nobody there ; and so
were but worse able to return home.
That night we reached to the wire [ Wea/ty near Titicut]
where we lay before: but the Namascheucks were
returned; so that we had no hope of anything there.
One of the savages had shot a shad in the water ; and a
small squirrel, as big as a rat, called a NeuxU. The one
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47 2 New England in America.
half of either, he gave us : and after went to the wire to
fisL
From hence, we wrote to Plymouth: and sent
ToKAMAHAMON before to Namasket ; willing him fnxn
thence to send another [to Plymouth], that he might
meet us with food at Namasket
Two men now only remained with us ; and it pleased
QOD to give them good store of fish, so that we were
well refreshed.
After supper, we went to rest ; and they to fishing
again. More they gat, and fell to eating afresh;
and retained sufiicient, ready roast[ed] for all our
breakfasts. About two a clock in the morning [of
8atwrdayy 7th Jvly], arose a great storm of wind, rain,
lightning, and thunder, in such [a] violent manner that
we could not keep in our fire : and had the savages not
roasted fish when we were asleep, we had set forward
fasting ; for the rain still continued with great violence,
even the whole day through, till we came within two
miles of home.
Being wet and weary, at length, we came to
Namaschet. There we refreshed ourselves ; giving gifts
to all such as had shewed us any kindness.
Amongst others, one of the six that came with us
from Packanokik (having, before this, on the way
unkindly forsaken us) marvelled we gave him nothing ;
and told us, what he had done for us.
We also told him of some discourtesies he offered us,
whereby he deserved nothing: yet we gave him a
small trifle.
Whereupon he offered us tobsusco.
But, the house being full of people, we told him, He
stole some by the way ; and if it were of that, we would
not take it : for we would not receive that which was
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New England in America. 473
stolen upon any terms. If we did, our Ood would be
angry with us, and destroy us.
This abashed him ; and gave the rest great content.
But, at our departure [from Namasket (Middld)or<mghy]^
he would needs carry him on his back through a river ;
whom he had formerly, in some sort, abused.
Fain they would have had us to lodge there all
night ; and wondered we would set forth again in such
weather : but, GOD be praised ! we came safe
home that night ; though wet, weary,
and surbated [footsore].
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A Voyage made bt ten of our men to the Kingdom
OF Nauset, to seek a boy that had ;<ost himself
IN the woods. With such accidents as
BEFELL US IN THAT VOYAGE.
fHE 11th of June [This date is considered to
be an error. Governor Bradford {Brodfofrd
M.S,, folio 145) states, About the latter end
of this month [July 1621], one John
BnxiNGTON lost himself in the woods; and wandered
up and down some five days, living on berries and what
he could find. This resciie eoopedition was therefore
in August.], we set forth, the weather being very fair :
but, ere we heA been long at sea, there arose a storm of
wind and rain, with much lightning and thunder,
insomuch that a spout [vxiter spout] arose not far from
us. But, OOD be praised I it dured not long : and we
put in, that night, for harbour, at a place, called
Cummaquid [Bamstabh harbour] ; where we had some
hope to find the boy [JosN Billinoton jv/aior]. Two
savages were in the boat with us: the one was
TiSQUANTUM our interpreter; the other Tokamahamon,
a special friend. It being night, before we came in ; we
anchored in the midst of the bay : where we were dry
[aground] at a low water.
In the morning, we'espied savages seeking lobsters ;
and sent our two interpreters to speak with them,
the channel being between them. Where they told
them. What we were, and for what we were come;
474
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New England in America. 475
willing them not at all to fear ub, for we would not
hurt them.
Their answer was, That the boy was well, but he
was at Nauset ; yet since we were there, they desired us
to come ashore and eat with them. Which, as soon as
our boat floated, we did ; and went six [of us] ashore,
having four pledges for them in the boat
They brought us to their Sachem or Governor, whom
they caJl Itanouqh, a man not exceeding twentysix
years of age; but very personable [ccwieiy], gentle,
courteous, and fair conditioned: indeed not like a
savage, save for his attire. His entertainment was
answerable to his parts; and his cheer plentiful and
various.
One thing was very grievous unto us at this place.
There was an old woman, whom we judged to be no less
than a hundred years old ; which came to see us because
she never saw English [before] : yet could not behold us,
without breaking forth into [a] great passion, weeping
and crying excessively. We demanding the reason of
it ; they told us. She had three sons, who, when Master
Hunt was in these parts, went aboard his ship to trade
with him ; and he carried them ci^tives into Spain, for
TiSQUANTUM at that time was carried away iJso: by
which means, she was deprived of the comfort of her
children in her old age.
We told them, We were sorry that any Englishman
should give them that offence ; that Hunt was a bad
man, and that all the English that heard of it condemned
him for the same : but for us, we would not offer them
any such injury ; though it would gain us all the skins
in the country. So we gave her some small trifles;
which somewhat appeased her.
After dinner, we took boat for Nauset \EasOiomC\ ;
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476 New England in America.
Iyanough and two of his men acoompanying as. Ere
we came to Nanset, the day and tide were almost spent,
' insomuch as we could not go in with our shallop : but
the Sachem or Gbvemor of Cummaquid went ashore,
and his men with him. We also sent Tisquantum to
tell AspiNBT, the Sachem of Nauset, wherefore we
came.
The savages here came very thick amongst us, and
were earnest with us to bring in our boat; but we
neither well could : nor yet desired to do it, because we
had less cause to trust them; being they only \ihjey
being those who] had formerly made an assault upon us,
in the same place, in [the] time of our winter Discovery
for [a place of] habitation [, see pp. 431-434]. And
indeed it was no marvel they did so: for howsoever
[then], through snow or otherwise, we saw no houses;
yet we were [then] in the midst of them.
When our boat was aground, they came very thick ;
but we stood therein upon our guard : not suffering any
to enter except two, the one being of Maramoick
[? Monomoyickf now Chatham} ; and one of those, whose
com we had formerly found. We promised him
restitution : and desired him either to come to Patuxet for
satisfaction ; or else we would bring them so much com
again. He promised to come. We used him very
khidly for the present Some few skins we gat there ;
but not many.
After sunset, Aspiket came, with a great train ; and
brought the boy with him, one bearing him through the
water. He had not less than a hundred with him : the
half whereof came to the shallop side unarmed with
him ; the other [half] stood aloof [at a distcmce], with
their bows and arrows. There he delivered us the boy,
behung with beads; and made peace with us: we
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New England in America. 477
bestowing a knife on him ; and likewise on another that
iirst entertained the boy, and brought him thither. So
they departed from us.
Here, we understood that the Narrohigansets
[iVarm^an^e^] had spoiled some of Massasott's men,
and taken him. This struck some fear in us : because
the Colony was so weakly guarded \It vriU be seen from
page 359, that, excluding these ten men, there were n^ow
only 22 advZt males at PlymxyiUh] the strength [the
picked m^n] thereof being abroad [auxiy here at
Easiham].
But we set forth with resolution to make the best
haste home we could. Yet the wind being contrary;
[and] having scarce any fresh water left, and at least
sixteen leagues [, » 48 miles, to] home, we put in again
for the shore. There we met again with Iyanough,
the Sachem of Cummaquid ; and the most of his town,
both men women and children, with him. He being still
willing to gratify us, took a rundlet [conladnvng 18
gallons], and led our men in the dark a great way for
water ; but could find none good : yet brought such as
there was, on his neck, with them. In the mean time,
the women joined hand in hand, singing and dancing,
before the shallop; the men also shewing all the
kindness they could. Itanguoh himself taking a
bracelet from about his neck, and hanging it upon one
of us.
Again, we set out : but to small purpose, for we gat
but little homeward. Our water also was very brackish ;
and not to be drunk.
The next morning, Itakough espied us again ; and
ran after us. We, being resolved to go to Cummaquid
again to water, took him into the shallop: whose
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478 New England in America.
entertainment [there, then,] was not inferior onto tiie
former [occasion].
The soil at Nauset and here [at Cummaquid] is
alike, even and sandy: not so good for com as where
we are. Ships may safely ride in either harbour. In
summer, they abound with fish.
Being now watered, we put forth again; and,
by GOD*s Providence, came safely
home that night.
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A JoURNEY^ TO THE KINGDOM OF NaMASCHET, IN
DEFENCE OF THE GREAT KiNG, MaSSASOYT, AGAINST
THE NaRROHIGGANSETS ; AND TO REVENGE THE
SUPPOSED DEATH OF OUR INTERPRETER
TiSQUANTUM.
JT our return from Nauset, we found it true
that Massasoyt was put from his country
by the Narrohiggansets [NarragaTisetts].
Word also was brought unto us, That
one Coubatant [or Caunbatant. Bradford spells
this name Corbitant], a petty Sachem or Governor
under Massasoyt, whom they ever feared to be too
conversant [intimate] with the Narrohiggansets, was at
Namaschet [MiddleborougK]: who sought to draw the
hearts of Massasoyt's subjects from him ; speaking also
disdainfully of us; storming at the Peace between
Nauset, Cummaquid, and us ; and at Tisquantum the
worker of it; also at Tokamahamon and one
HoBBAMOCK [or Hobohok], two Indians or Lemes
[This word is thought to he a misprinf] ; one of which
he would treacherously have murdered a little before,
[he] being a special and trusty man of Massasoyt's.
Tokamahamon went to him [openly] : but the other
two would not. Yet, putting their lives in their hands,
privately [they] went to see if they could hear of their
King; and, lodging at Namaschet, were discovered to
Coubatant [Caunbatant, or CoRBriANT] : who set a
guard to beset the house, and took Tisquantum ; for he
said. If he were dead; the English had lost their
tongue.
479
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480 New England in America.
HoBBAMOCK (seeing that Tisquantum was taken ;
and [that] CToubatant held a knife at his breast), being
a strong and stout man, brake from them : and came
to New Plymouth full of fear and sorrow for
Tisquantum, whom he thought to be slain.
Upon this news, the Company [at Pljrmouth]
assembled together [on Monday, the 13th of August
1621] ; and resolved, on the morrow, to send ten men
armed to Namaschet, and Hobbamock for their guide ;
to revenge the supposed death of Tisquantum, on
CoUBATANT our bitter enemy; and to retain [artwt]
Nepeof, another Sachem or Governor, who was of this
confederacy, till we heard [of] what was become of our
friend Massasoyt.
On the morrow [, Tuesday, the 14th of August], we
set out ten men armed; who took their journey as
aforesaid : but the day proved very wet.
When we supposed we were within three or four
miles of Namaschet; we went out of the way, and
stayed there till night: because we would not be
discovered. There we consulted what to do: and
thinking [it] best to beset the house at midnight, each
was appointed his task by the Captain; all men
incouraging one another to the utmost of their power.
By night, our guide [Hobomok] lost his way ; which
much discouraged our men : [it] being we were wet, and
weary of our arms. But one of our men, having been
before at Namaschet, brought us into the way again.
Before we came to the town, we sat down and ate
such as our knapsack[s] afforded. That being done, we
threw them aside ; and all such things as might hinder
us : and so went on, and beset the house ; according to
our last resolution.
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New England in America. 48 1
Those that entered, demanded, If Coubatant were
not there ? But fear had bereft the savages of q>eech.
We charged them not to stir: for if CSoubatant
were not there, we would not meddle with them. If he
were, we came principally for him, to be avenged on
him, for the supposed death of Tisquantum ; and other
matters : but, howsoever, we would not at all hurt their
women or children.
Notwithstanding, some of them pressed out at a
private door, and escaped ; but with some wounda
At length, perceiving our principal ends, they told
us, CouBATANT was returned, with all his train; and
that Tisquantum was yet living, and in the town:
offering some tobacco ; [and] such other as they had to
eat
In this hurly burly, we discharged two pieces at
random; which much terrified all the inhabitants
except Tisquantum and Tokamahamon : who, thou^
they knew not our end in comming ; yet assured them
of our honesty, that we would not hurt them.
Those boys that were in the house, seeing our care
of [the] women, often cried jYeen agteoes, that is to
say, '' I am a woman \pT rcUher a girl] " : the women
also hanging upon Hobbamock, calling him totucum, tiiat
is, " friend."
But, to be short, we kept them we had ; and made
them make a fire, that we might see to search the house.
In the meantime, Hobbamock gat on the top of the
house; and called Tisquantum and Tokamahamon:
which came unto us, accompanied with others ; some
armed, and others naked [una/rmed].
Those that had bowes and arrows, we took them away
[from them] ; promising them again when it was day.
The house we took for our better safeguard ; but
The Pilgrim Fathen. 2 R
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482 New England in America.
released those we had taken ; manifesting whom we
came for, and wherefore.
On the next morning [, Wednesday, the 15th August],
we marched into the midst of the town ; and went to
the house of Tisquantum to breakfast Thither came
all whose hearts were upright towards us: but
Coubatant's faction were fled away.
There, in the midst of them, we manifested again
our intendment; assuring them, That although
CouBATANT had now escaped us: yet there was no
place should secure him and his from us, if he continued
his threatening us, and provoking others against us;
who had kindly entertained him, and never intended
evil towards him, till he now so justly deserved it.
Moreover, if Massasoyt did not return in safety from
Narrohigganset \NarrajgatiBei£\\ or if hereafter he
\Coubatant\ should make any insurrection against
him ; or offer violence to Tisquantum, Hobbamock, or
any of Massasott's subjects : we would revenge it upon
him, to the overthrow of him and hi& As for those
[who] were wounded: we were sorry for it, though
[they] themselves procured it, in not staying in the
house at our command ; yet, if they would return home
with us, our Surgeon [Samuel Fuller] should heal
them.
At this offer, one man and a woman that were
wounded went home with us : Tisquantum and many
other known friends accompanying us ; and offering all
help that might be, by carriage of anything we had, to
ease us.
So that, by QOD's good Providence, we safely returned
home, the morrow [ie. iJut Wednesday] ni^t
after we set forth.
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A Relation of our Voyage [Expjbdjtion] to the
MaSSACHUSETS ; AND WHAT HAPPENED THEBE.
St seemed good to the Company in general
that, though the Massachusets* [the Indiana
qf Boston Bay] heA often threatened us,
as we were informed; yet we should go
amongst them: partly to see the country; partly to
make peace with them ; and partly to procure their
truck [oom/moditiea].
For these ends, the Governor chose ten men fit for
the purpose, and sent Tisquantum and two other
savages ; to bring us to speech with the people, and [to]
interpret for us.
We set out about midnight [of Tuesday, 18th
September 1621], the tide then serving for us. We,
supposing it to be nearer than it is, thought to be there
the next morning betimes: but it proved well near
twenty leagues [» 60 mUea: but the acttual distance
by water from Plymouth to Boston is abovi 44 m,iles]
from New Plymouth.
We came into the bottom of the Bay [i.e, by Poini
AUerton to Lighthouse Channel]] but [it] being late
[on Wednesday, the 19th September], we anchored,
and lay in the shallop: not having seen any of the
people.
* The Indian word Mas9aohu$eU$ means, ** A hill in the form of an
arrow's head '* : referring to the Blue Hills. — ^H. M. Dbztbb, Lib. of New
Englwnd Hitt., 1. 124, Ed. 1865, 4.
483
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484 New England in America.
The next morning [of Thursday, the 20th September],
we put in for the ahore. There we found many lobsters^
that had been gathered together by the savages : which
we made ready [cooked] under a cliff [f at the north-eaet
of the peninsula of Squantvm]. The Captain [Miles
Standish] set two sentinels behind the cliff, to the
landward, to secure the shallop: and, taking a guide
with him and four of our company, went to seek the
inhabitants; where they met a woman coming for
her lobstera They told her of them ; and contented
her for them. She told them where the people were.
TiSQUANTUM went to them. The rest returned ; having
direction[8] which way to bring the shallop to them.
The Sachem or Qovemor of this place is Obbatinewat