"Welcome!"
As he pronounced it, and looked about him with kindly, if wary eyes, the Pilgrims drew a long breath, and the tense anxiety of the moment lapsed into aspects various as the temperaments of the men.
"What! Do these men speak English, then!" exclaimed Allerton bewildered, while Standish muttered,—
"Look to your side-arms, men. He may mean treachery," and noble Carver, extending his hand, said,—
"Thanks for your courtesy, friend. How know you our language?"
"I am Samoset. I am friend of Englishmen. I come to say welcome."
"Truly 't is a marvel to hear him speak in our own tongue and so glibly too. Mark you how he chooses his words as one of some dignity himself," said Bradford softly, but the quick ears of the savage caught the substance of his words, and tapping his broad chest lightly with his fingers he proudly replied,—
"Samoset, sachem of Monhegan. Samoset do well to many Englishmen in his own country."
"And where is Monhegan, friend Samoset?" asked Carver pleasantly. "Might it be this place?"
"This place Patuxet. Monhegan nearer to the sunrise," replied Samoset pointing eastward.