Then, at last, they discovered a beautiful site for their town, situated on a fine harbour. They returned to the Mayflower, with the good news. And a few days before Christmas, the Mayflower anchored in the harbour, and the Pilgrim folk landed on Plymouth Rock.
On Christmas day, they began to build Plymouth Town.
WELCOME, ENGLISHMEN!
“Welcome!”
That cry—just one English word—sounded through the street of Plymouth, and startled the Pilgrims. They caught up their muskets and ran from the houses.
A tall naked savage, his lank hair clinging to his shoulders, was stalking along the street, holding a bow and arrows.
“Welcome!” he shouted.
The Pilgrims returned his greeting.
He was Samoset, Chief of Pemaquid, he told them. He had journeyed from very far off. He had learned English among the Englishmen who sometimes came to fish off the coast of his country.
The Pilgrims, glad to talk with a friendly Indian, invited him to eat with them. Then, as the wind was rising, they wrapped a warm coat around his naked body. They gave him biscuit with butter, and cheese, and a piece of cooked duck; all of which he seemed to relish hugely.