Outdoor Life and Indian Stories / Making open air life attractive to young Americans by telling them all about woodcraft, signs and signaling, the stars, fishing, camping, camp cooking, how to tie knots and how to make fire without matches, and many other fascinating open air pursuits. Also, stories of noted hunters and scouts, great indians and warriors, including Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, General Custer, Pontiac, Tecumseh, King Philip, Black Hawk, Brandt, Sitting Bull, and a host of others whose names are famous; all of them true and interesting

by Edward Sylvester Ellis

ADVENTURES IN NEW ENGLAND

THE INDIANS AND THE PILGRIMS

OU 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.

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.