THE EXPEDITION TO NAMASCHET, OR MIDDLE BOROUGH. THE next narrative in this volume is the fruit of the Treaty of the Pilgrims with the great King Massasoit. On their return from Nauset, word having been brought to the Pilgrims concerning the conspiracy against Massasoit, and information also that their friend Squanto was either killed or in great danger, they resolved at once upon the following expedition. Mr. Prince records it in his Chronology under date of Aug. 13th, 1621, as follows: "At this the Governor assembles our company, and taking counsel, 'tis conceived not fit to be borne; for if we should suffer our friends and messengers thus to be wronged, we shall have none to cleave to us, or give us intelligence, or do us any service, but would next fall upon us, &c. We therefore resolve to send ten men to-morrow, with Hobamok, to seize our foes in the night; if Squanto be killed, to cut off Coubitant's head, but hurt only those who had a hand in the murder, and retain Nepeof, another Sachem in the confederacy, till we hear of Massasoit."* The next day, August 14th, they set out, and after complete success in their expedition, returned home Aug. 15th, at night, attended by many friends, and bringing three wounded savages, whom they cured of their wounds, and sent back again. The consequences of this expedition. * Prince's New England Chronology, vol. i. p. 109. were happy for the Colony. "After this," says Governor Bradford, in Prince, "we have many gratulations from divers Sachems, and much firmer peace. Yea, those of the Isle of Capawak send to secure our friendship; and Corbitant himself uses the mediation of Massasoit to be reconciled. Yea, Canonicus, Chief Sachem of the Narragansetts, sends a messenger to treat of peace." Under date of September 13th, 1621, it is also added that nine Sachems subscribed an instrument of submission to King James, whose names are given. "Yea Massasoit in writing under his hand to Captain Standish, has owned the King of England to be his master. Both he and many other kings under him, as of Pamet, Nauset, Cummaquid, Namasket, with diverse others, who dwell about the bays of Patuxet and Massachusetts; and all this by friendly usage, love, and peace, just and honest carriage, good counsel, and so forth." Such were the happy fruits of the kind, upright, and energetic character and dealings of the Pilgrims. in defence of the Great King MASSASOYT against the Nar- the supposed Death of our Interpreter Tisquantum. OT our returne from Nauset, we found it true, that Massasogt was put from his Countrey by the Narrohiggansets. Word also was brought vnto us, that one Coubatant, a petty Sachim or Governour vnder Massasoyt (whom they euer feared to be too conversant with the Narrohiggansets) were at Namaschet, who sought to draw the hearts of Massasoyts subjects from him, speaking also of vs, storming at the Peace between Nauset, Cummaquid, and vs, and at Tisquantum, the worker of it; also at Tokamahamon, and one Hobbamock (two Indians or Lemes,* one Or Lemes. Dr. Young regards this as a mistake of the printers for our allies. of of which he would trecherously haue murdered a little before, being a special and trusty man of Massasoyts) Tokamahamon went to him, but the other two would not; yet put their liues in their hands, priuately went to see if they could heare of their King, and lodging at Namaschet were discouered to Coubatant, who set a guard to beset the house and tooke Tisquantum (for he had sayd, if he were dead, the English had lost their tongue) Hobbamock seeing that Tisquantum was taken, and Coubatant held a knife at his breast, being a strong and stout man, brake from them and came to New-Plimmouth, full of feare and sorrow for Tisquantum, whom he thought to be slaine. Vpon this Newes the Company assembled together, and resolued on the morrow to send ten men armed to Namaschet and Hobbamock, for their guide, to reuenge the supposed death of Tisquantum on Coubatant our bitter Enemy, and to retaine Nepeof, another Sachem or Gouernour, who was of this confederacy, till we heard, what was become of our friend Massasoyt. Aug. 14. On the morrow we set out ten men Armed, who tooke 1621. their iourney as aforesayd, but the day proved very wett. When we supposed we were within three or foure myles of Namaschet, we went out of the way and stayed there till night, because we would not be discovered. There we consulted what to doe, and thinking best to beset the house at mid-night, each was appointed to his taske by the Captaine, all men incouraging one another, to the vtmost of their power. By night our guide lost his way, which much discouraged our men, being we were wet, and weary of our armes but one of our men hauing beene before at Namaschet brought vs into the way againe. Before we came to the Towne we sat downe and ate such as our Knapsacke affoorded, that being done, we threw them aside, and all such things as might hinder vs, and so went on and beset the house, according to our last resolution. Those that entred, demaunded if Coubatant were not there but feare had bereft the Savages of speech. We charged them not to stirre, for if Coubatant were not there, we would not meddle with them, if he were, we we came principally for him, to be auenged on him for the supposed death of Tisquantum, and other matters: but howsoeuer wee would not at all hurt their women, or children. Notwithstanding some of them pressed out at a priuate doore and escaped, but with some wounds: At length perceiuing our principall ends, they told vs Coubatant was returned with all his traine, and that Tisquantum was yet liuing, and in the town offering some Tobacco, other such as they had to eate. In this hurley burley we discharged two Peeces at Randome, which much terrified all the Inhabitants, except Tisquantum and Tokamahamon, who though they knew not our end in comming, yet assured them of our honesty, that we would not hurt them. Those boyes that were in the house seeing our care of women, often cried Neensquaes, that is to say, I am a Woman: the Women also hanging vpon Hobbamock, 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 meane time, Hobbamock gat on the top of the house, and called Tisquantum and Tokamahamon, which came vnto vs accompanied with others, some armed and others naked. Those that had Bowes and Arrowes we tooke them away, promising them againe when it was day. The house we tooke for our better safegard; but released those we had taken, manifesting whom we came for and wherefore. On the next morning we marched into the middest of the Towne, and went to the house of Tisquantum to breakfast. Thither came all whose hearts were vpright towards vs, but all Coubatants faction were fled away. There in the middest of them we manifested againe our intendment, assuring them, that although Coubatant had now escaped vs, yet there was no place should secure him and his from vs if he continued his threatning vs, and prouoking others against vs, who had kindly entertained him, and neuer intended euill towards him till he now so iustly deserued it. Moreover, if Massasoyt did not returne in safetie from Narrohigganset, or if hereafter he should make any insurrection against him, or offer violence to Tisquantum, Habbamock, or any of Massasoyts Subiects, we would revenge it vpon him, to the ouer-throw of him and his. As for those were wounded, we were sorry for |