This plan, however, was defeated by the cruelty of one of the guards. Thinking upon the ruin and death that had been wrought by Opecancanough, he raised his musket one day and sent a bullet through the body of the prisoner. Thus died the most remarkable Indian connected with the early history of Virginia. His influence over his countrymen was greater than Powhatan's had ever been. His complaint was that the whites were fast taking all the hunting lands from the Indians, and that the overthrow and ruin of the latter could be prevented only by the massacre of the invaders. In this attempt, like many leaders of his race, he failed, and comparative peace followed his death for many years. CHAPTER III ADVENTURES IN NEW ENGLAND THE INDIANS AND THE PILGRIMS You have all heard of the hardy Pilgrim Fathers. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. Several wooden huts were built, ground marked off, and the company divided into nineteen families. Thus was made the first permanent settlement in New England, several former attempts having ended in failure. Those early pioneers, who were a sturdy, God-fearing people, had a rough time of it from the beginning, and before spring came, one-half of them had died, Governor Carver passing away in April. A great surprise came to the little band of settlers one day in March, when an Indian walked out of the woods and came toward them. Although the weather was cold, his only clothing was a band of leather about the waist to which a fringe hung. He strode boldly forward, and, when he saw the looks of astonishment, called out: "Welcome, Englishmen! Welcome, Englishmen!" The first thought that came to the settlers was wonder as to how this native had learned their language. His name was Samoset, and he had picked up a few words from the English fishermen on the coast of Maine. Because of the chilly air, one of the men brought out a horseman's coat and flung it over the shoulders of their visitor. He wished to talk and to tell the white men all that could interest them. By means of the few English words he knew, and by signs he succeeded quite well. He felt at home, and ate and drank all that was set before him. He said that he lived at a place called Pawtuxet, but a few years before all the men and women had died of a dreadful plague. It was afterwards found that Samoset told the truth. [Illustration: GOVERNOR WINSLOW SOLDIER AND STATESMAN] The dusky caller was more eager to stay with the Englishmen than they were willing to have him as a guest. They bade him good-bye as night drew on, but he chose to remain with them, leaving Plymouth the next day to go to Massasoit, of whom he had spoken several times. He said Massasoit was a great sachem, who would come in a few days to barter beaver skins with the white settlers and to pay his respects to them.