Journal of the Beginning of the English Plantation at Plymouth, Part 3
A IOVRNEY TO THE Kingdome of NAMASCHET in defence of the Great King MASSASOYT against the Narrohiggansets, and to revenge the supposed Death of our Interpreter Tisquantum.
AT our returne from Nauset, we found it true, that Massasoyt was put from his Countrey by the Narrohiggansets. Word also was brought vntounto vsus, that one Coubatant a petty Sachim or Governour vnderunder Massasoyt (whom they euer feared to be too conversant wi…h the Narrohiggansets) was at Namaschet, who sought to draw the hearts of Massasoyts subiects from him, speaking also disdainfully of vsus, storming at the Peace betweene Nauset, Cummaquid, and vsus, and at Tisqua…tum the worker of it; also at Tokamahamon, and one Hobbamock (two Indians or Lemes, one of which he would trecherously hauehave murdered a little before, being a speciall 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 Ti…quantum (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.
VponUpon 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 N…pcof, another Sachim or Gouernour, who was of this confederacy, till we heard, what was become of our friend Massasoyt.
On the morrow we set out ten men Armed, who tooke their iourney as aforesayd, but the day proved very wett. When wee 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 discouered. There we consulted what to doe, and thinking best to beset the house at mid-night, each was appointed 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 Namasch…t brought vsus into the way againe.
Before we came to the Towne we sat downe and ate such as our Knapsacke affoorded, that being done, wee threw them aside, and all such things as might hinder vsus, 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 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 vsus Coubatant was returned with all his traine, and that Tisquantum was yet liuing, and in the towne 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 cryed Neensqua…s, that is to say, I am a Woman: the Women also hanging vponupon 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 vntounto vsus 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 safegar … 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 towardes vsus, 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 vsus, yet there was no place should secure him and his from vsus if he continued his threatning vsus, and prouoking others against vsus, 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, Hobbamock, or any of Massasoyts Subiects, we would revenge it vponupon him, to the ouer-throw of him and his. As for those were wounded, we were sorry for it, though themselues procured it in not staying in the house at our command: yet if they would returne home with vsus, our Surgeon should heale them.
At this offer, one man and a woman that were wounded went home with vsus, Tisquantum and many other knowne friends accompanying vsus, and offering all helpe that might be by carriage of any thing wee had to ease vsus. So that by Gods good Providence wee safely returned home the morrow night after we set forth.