The “Swan” returned, a day or two later, with the provisions, and, after their distribution, Weston’s men sailed from Plymouth in her to their plantation.[391]
This was destined to be Squanto’s last service. A violent fever, which struck him on the expedition, soon laid him low. “Pray for me,” said the dying Indian to Governor Bradford, “pray for me, that I may go to the white man’s God in heaven.” Shortly after, he distributed various trinkets among his English friends as memorials, and expired.[392] Despite his pranks and vanity, Squanto was a true friend to the Pilgrims, and his loss was a severe blow to the colonial interests.[393]
Immediately on recovering from the fatigue incident to the late voyage, the Pilgrims went out into their fields to reap the harvest. The crop was slender, owing partly to the ignorance of the planters of the culture of Indian corn; partly to their many other employments; but chiefly to their inability properly to attend it, caused by weakness from want of food.[394]
It was apparent that famine must be entailed upon the next year also, unless some other source of supply should be opened. This seemed impossible. There were no markets; and they were out of trinkets for their Indian traffic. “Behold now another providence of God,” says Bradford; “a ship sent out by English merchants to discover all the harbors betwixt Virginia and the shoals of Cape Cod, and to trade along the coast where it could, entered our bay. She had on board a store of beads—which were then good trade—and some knives, but the crew would sell nothing save in the bunch and at high prices. However, we bought of them, and by this means were fitted again to trade for beaver and for corn with the red men.”[395]
In this same summer a new fort was built, “both strong and comely, which was a sure defence.” Isaac De Rasières, who visited Plymouth at a somewhat later day, has left this description of the block-citadel: “Upon the hill they have a large square house, with a flat roof, made of thick-sawn planks, stayed with oak-beams. On the top are ranged six cannon, which shoot iron-balls of four or five pounds, and command the surrounding country. The lower part they use for their church, where preaching is had on Sundays and the usual holidays. The settlers assemble by beat of drum, each with his musket or firelock, in front of the captain’s door; they have their cloaks on, and place themselves in order, three abreast, and are led by a sergeant without beat of drum. Behind comes the governor, in a long robe; beside him on the right hand walks the preacher, and on the left hand the captain, with his side arms and cloak on, and with a small cane in his hand. So they march in good order, and on reaching the fort each sets his arms down near him and within easy grasp.”[396]
An open Bible in one hand, a shotted musket in the other—such was the manner in which the Pilgrim fathers went to church.
CHAPTER XV.
THE EXPLOIT OF MILES STANDISH.
“And when they talk of him, they shake their heads,
And whisper one another in the ear;