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Governor Bradford's journey. Theft committed. Return of the articles. The Weymouth settlers implore aid. Disgraceful proceeding. Injustice of Hudibras. Sickness of Massasoit. Deputation from Plymouth. The journey. Reported death of Massasoit. Hobbomak. Hospitality of Corbitant's wife. Arrival at Mount Hope. Massasoit's welcome. His recovery. Kindness of the Pilgrims. Mr. Winslow as physician.
And now another white man's vessel had arrived on the coast, and several of its crew had landed in spite of all that could be done to prevent them. To the great surprise of Massasoit's men, there was an Indian with these palefaces. And that Indian proved to be Squanto, one of the five who had been taken away fifteen years before. This is but a bare outline of what Massasoit told his sons.
All three men laughed, but Bradford said, "I fear me Squanto hath done us no little harm with his double dealings, his jealousy of Hobomok, and his craving for bribes; but withal he hath been so good a friend to us, more than useful at the first when we knew naught of the place or how to live, or plant, or fish, that I thought right to risk even Massasoit's enmity rather than to give our poor knave up to his wrath."
The "drum" and "trumpet" are both mentioned in "Mourt's Relation" in the account given of Massasoit's reception, the latter as eliciting the especial attention of his men, and their efforts at blowing it. These were mounted on "the Hill" fort or platform.
Also that one of Massasoit's pnieses called Corbitant had become an ally of the Narragansetts, and was now at Namasket, only fourteen miles from Plymouth, trying to raise a revolt against both his chief and the white men their allies. He was also fiercely denouncing Squanto, Hobomok, and Tockamahamon as renegades and traitors to their own people, who should be at once put to death.
'T is the savage philosophy, and not a bad one," said Standish, and although the elder raised stern eyes of rebuke upon the reckless soldier he continued, "And I shall lead our forces to avenge both the death of our servant and Massasoit's capture, shall I not, brethren? What is your will?"
But more important than boy or corn, at any rate to the ears of Standish, was a report here received that the Narragansetts, their friend Massasoit's neighbors and deadly foes, had made a raid upon his domains and carried him away prisoner.
Down to this time, since the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the settlers of New England had been in no way molested by the natives. Massasoit's treaty with the Pilgrims was scrupulously observed on both sides, and kept the Wampanoags quiet for fifty-four years.
A week or two later still further news was brought to Massasoit's village. There they had gone ashore and had built some log cabins, evidently with the intention of staying for some time. This was something that the Indians could not understand. Every day some of them went to the top of the hill which overlooked the little settlement to see what the English were doing.
So some doubts as to the wisdom of Massasoit's treaty with the English began to spread through the Pokanokets. The Plymouth officers ordered Alexander to appear at court and answer the charges against him. When he delayed, Major Josiah Winslow was sent to get him. The major took ten armed men, and proceeded for Mount Hope.
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