A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth; Mourt's Relation: A Relation or Journal of the English Plantation settled at Plymouth in New England, by Certain English adventurers both merchants and others
History
A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth; Mourt's Relation: A Relation or Journal of the English Plantation settled at Plymouth in New England, by Certain English adventurers both merchants and others
Massachusetts -- History -- New Plymouth, 1620-1691; Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony) -- Early works to 1800
Before we came to the town, we sat down and ate such as our knapsacks
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. Those that entered demanded if Corbitant were not
there, but fear had bereft the savages of speech. We charged them not to
stir, for if Corbitant 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 Squanto, 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 wounds. At
length perceiving our principal ends, they told us Corbitant was
returned with all his train, and that Squanto was yet living, and in the
town, offering some tobacco, other such as they had to eat. In this
hurly-burly we discharged two pieces at random, which much terrified all
the inhabitants, except Squanto and Tokamahamon, who, though they knew
not our end in coming, yet assured them of our honesty, that we would
not hurt them. Those boys that were in the house, seeing our care of
women, often cried, “_Neen squaes_,” that is to say, “I am a woman”; the
women also hanging upon Hobomok, calling him _Towam_, that 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 Hobomok got on the top of
the house and called Squanto and Tokamahamon, which came unto us
accompanied with others, some armed and others naked. Those that had
bows and arrows, we took them away, promising them again when it was
day. The house we took for our better safeguard, but released those we
had taken, manifesting whom we came for and wherefore.
On the next morning we marched into the midst of the town, and went to
the house of Squanto to breakfast. Thither came all whose hearts were
upright towards us, but all Corbitant’s faction were fled away. There in
the midst of them we manifested again our intendment, assuring them,
that although Corbitant 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 Massasoit did not return in safety from Narraganset, or if hereafter
he should make any insurrection against him, or offer violence to
Squanto, Hobomok, or any of Massasoit’s subjects, we would revenge it
upon him, to the overthrow of him and his. As for those were wounded, we
were sorry for it, though themselves procured it in not staying in the
house at our command; yet if they would return home with us, our surgeon
should heal them.
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