"'Dreadful! dreadful!' said the people of Salem. 'Roger Williams cannot be true to the king if he believes like that.'
"The leading men made it so unpleasant for the young minister that he left Salem. He went to Plymouth and stayed among the Pilgrims for two years. At the end of that time he went back to Salem. He preached good sermons and the people said:
"'He has grown more careful in the use of his tongue. He does not say unwise things any more.'
"Yet Roger Williams had not changed his mind. He believed just as he did before and he could not help showing it.
"'This man is not safe. He puts wrong thoughts into the minds of the people,' said some of the leaders. 'We must send him back to England.'
"Roger Williams heard what they intended to do. He fled into the forests. It was very cold and heavy snow had fallen. Who would be his friend and help him in his troubles now?
"Who indeed but his old friend Massasoit! The Indians loved Williams. He had always been kind and gentle with them. He had been honest in all his dealings.
"Massasoit was glad to give Williams a home. He stayed with the Indian chief for some time. He was busy thinking what he should do. Where should he make a home for himself and those who believed as he did?
"'I will give you some land on the shores of a river,' Massasoit told him.