Plymouth was regained without further adventure. Their return was welcome, for these ten constituted half the martial force of the commonwealth; and in their absence the remaining settlers had learned of dangerous intrigues against their peace, stirred by a sachem called Corbitant, an ally of Massasoit’s, but never a friend to the Pilgrims.[243] “The flying rumors gathered as they rolled; Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told; And all who told it added something new, And all who heard it made enlargement too; In every ear it spread, on every tongue it grew.”[244] At first this startling intelligence was flung into the ears of the settlers: “The Narragansetts have invaded Massasoit’s territory; the sagamore is either a prisoner or has fled; an attack upon Plymouth may immediately be expected.”[245] Squanto, Tokamahamon, and a warrior named Habbamak, who had come to live among the colonists, “a proper, lusty man, of great account for his valor and parts among the Indians,”[246] were at once despatched to reconnoitre. Hardly had they disappeared in the skirting forests ere word was brought that Massasoit was safe, that the Narragansetts were not near, but that Corbitant was using every wile to detach the sagamore from the English alliance, while he threatened death to Squanto, Tokamahamon, and Habbamak, the counsellors of the sachem who were so actively friendly to the Pilgrims.[247] Events hustled each other; for scarcely had the settlers time to breathe freer after this recital, ere “Habbamak came running in all sweating,” and informed the clustering colonists that he and his two friends had been surprised and overpowered at Namasket by Corbitant; that he had managed to escape, but that he feared Squanto and Tokamahamon were dead, as he saw Corbitant press a knife to their breasts, and say, “If Squanto were dead, these English would lose their tongue.”[248] The Pilgrims never appear to greater advantage than in moments of trial; they are always equal to the occasion; “Like a ball that bounds According to the force with which ’twas thrown; So in affliction’s violence, he that’s wise, The more he’s cast down, will the higher rise.”[249] ’Twas so with the Pilgrims. Danger seemed powerless to abash them. They “walked softly before the Lord,” but they “feared no evil.” They were profoundly penetrated with John Marston’s maxim: “Through danger safety comes; through trouble rest.”