After the departure of the Fortune the Plymouth colony faced a serious situation. Their provisions were not sufficient to meet the demands of their suddenly increased numbers and the threat of attack hovered over their little community. The Narragansetts were not friendly with Massasoit and they resented the intrusion of the white settlers. Their chief Canonicus by way of warning sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in snake skin to which the Governor replied by returning the skin with bullets wrapped therein, together with the admonition that if they would prefer war to peace, they “could begin when they would.” They however took the precaution to strengthen their defences and the settlement was “impaled round by the beginning of March.” Captain Standish had, in the meantime, on advice of the Governor, divided his small forces into “four squadrons and every one had their quarter appointed unto which they were to repair upon any sudden alarm. And, if there should be any cry of fire, a company were appointed for a guard, with muskets, while others quenched the same, to prevent Indian treachery.” [Sidenote: 1622] In May the Sparrow, a fishing vessel, arrived bringing seven more passengers. In July two more vessels, the Charity, and the Swan, belonging to Mr. Weston, arrived with about sixty men who were left at the Plymouth settlement. They remained there through the summer when, upon the return of one of Weston’s ships from Virginia, they were transferred to Weymouth, their original destination. These ships had brought the information that Mr. Weston had withdrawn from the Merchant Adventurers and had acquired a patent to land in the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay, that the men sent over were destined therefore, that they were a rough lot and, according to a letter from Mr. Cushman “were no men for them.” They were, however, as well provided for as the circumstances under this added burden and their strained supply of provisions would permit, until their removal to the Weymouth Colony. After their departure and when the supply of food was well nigh exhausted, a fishing vessel came into the harbor, from which they were able to secure a small supply of provisions that helped sustain them until the next harvest. This vessel also brought report of the Indian massacre in Virginia.