Thanksgiving Feast
Unfortunately the Fortune on her return was overhauled by French pirates and all her cargo of value taken. Robert Cushman, who was aboard on his return to England, later wrote “By God’s providence we got well home the 17th[13] of February. Being robbed by the Frenchmen by the way, and carried by them into France, and were kept there 15 days and lost all that we had that was worth taking; but thanks be to God, we escaped with our lives and ship.”
The Snakeskin Warning
CHAPTER VIII
Indian Trouble
After the departure of the Fortune the Plymouth colony faced a serious situation. Their provisions were not sufficient to meet the demands of their suddenly increased numbers and the threat of attack hovered over their little community.
The Narragansetts were not friendly with Massasoit and they resented the intrusion of the white settlers. Their chief Canonicus by way of warning sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in snake skin to which the Governor replied by returning the skin with bullets wrapped therein, together with the admonition that if they would prefer war to peace, they “could begin when they would.” They however took the precaution to strengthen their defences and the settlement was “impaled round by the beginning of March.”
Captain Standish had, in the meantime, on advice of the Governor, divided his small forces into “four squadrons and every one had their quarter appointed unto which they were to repair upon any sudden alarm. And, if there should be any cry of fire, a company were appointed for a guard, with muskets, while others quenched the same, to prevent Indian treachery.”
1622