ter, and parties were sent out to find the Indians from whose fires it came, and open a friendly intercourse with them. They did not succeed; but early in the spring a single Indian entered the town. The settlers were surprised, as he approached, to hear him say, 66 Welcome, Englishmen!" He had learned a little English from previous voyagers.

3. The name of this Indian was Sam'-o-set. He told the white men that he belonged to a tribe that lived about five days' journey off. That they were welcome to the land where they had settled, for there was no one else to claim it. That, several years before, the Indians who had lived there had been swept off by a pestilence. About this pestilence a curious story is told.

4. It seems that, a few years before the Pilgrims landed, a French ship went ashore on Cape Cod, and the Indians cruelly put to death nearly all on board of her. One of the Frenchmen, who was spared, remained some time with the Indians as a captive. One day he told them that the Great Spirit would punish them for having killed his countrymen, and would give their land to others. But they laughed at him, and asked whether he supposed that his Great Spirit could destroy so powerful a tribe as theirs. He replied that, if God wanted to destroy them, He would easily find a way. Soon after this a fatal disease broke out, which swept off nearly the whole tribe. The few that remained were killed by a hostile nation. This was the reason why the Puritans had seen so many graves, but no living Indians.

5. The Pilgrims treated Samoset kindly, and soon after his chief, Mas-sa-soit', came to pay them a visit. They received Massasoit with great respect. They presented him two knives and a copper chain, and gave his brother a pot of "strong water," and some biscuits and butter. A treaty was made, and Massasoit and his tribe always remained faithful friends of the white

men.

6. Two of the Puritans soon afterwards returned Massasoit's

What was seen several times in the winter? Give an account of Samoset's visit.-3. What did Samoset tell the white men ?-4. What story is related about this pestilence ?-5. How did the Pilgrims treat Samoset? Who soon after visited them? What did they present to Massasoit? What did they give

visit. They found the chief very sick, and his medicine-men trying to cure him with hideous noises and foolish dances. Turning them out of the wigwam, one of the Puritans gave the chief some simple remedy, and restored him to health. He never forgot this kindness.

7. All the Indians, however, were not so friendly. A tribe that was at war with Massasoit, sent to the Puritans a bundle of arrows wrapped in a rattlesnake's skin. This was their way of declaring war. The Puritan governor sent back the skin filled with powder and balls. The Indians thought the bullets were charms, and were so frightened that they concluded to let the white men alone. The Pilgrims, however, expecting an attack, put up a row of stakes, or palisades, as they were called, around. their settlement.

8. For some time the Puritans continued to suffer, especially from hunger. They could not raise enough to support them. There were fish in the bay, but they had no boats or nets with which to take them. Even two years after their arrival, they often went to bed at night without a bit of food for the morning. If a few of their old friends joined them, a lobster or a piece of fish, without any bread or anything else but a cup of water, was all they had to offer them.

9. But in three or four years things were better. Each settler had his own tract of land. They worked hard, and corn was raised in abundance. More of their own faith came over from England. In 1630, their number had increased to three hundred. From this time, the colony flourished.

his brother? What was the consequence ?-6. What service did two of the Puritans afterwards render to Massasoit ?-7. What warlike message did the Puritans receive? How did they answer it? What was the result? What precaution did the Pilgrims take?-8. From what did the Puritans suffer at first? When their friends joined them, what did they have to offer them ?— 9. In three or four years, what was the state of the colony? How many Puritans did it contain in 1630?

1630]

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY.

43

LESSON XIV.

OTHER NEW ENGLAND COLONIES.

1. MASSACHUSETTS BAY.-In 1630, a large company of English Puritans, having obtained a grant of land on Massachu

largest city in New England. Here is a map of the eastern part of Massachusetts. See if you can find Cape Cod-Plymouth -Boston-Salem.

2. RHODE ISLAND.-The people of Salem had a young preacher named Roger Williains. His belief was somewhat different from that of the other Puritan ministers; but he claimed that he had a right to worship in his own way, and preach what he thought was the Bible truth. This, however, the people of Massachusetts Bay would not tolerate; and so they determined to send him back to England.

3. Hearing of their intentions, Roger Williams fled from

1. When and by whom was the Massachusetts Bay colony established? What places were founded? What has Boston since become?-2. Who was the founder of Rhode Island? Where was Roger Williams settled? Why did the people of Massachusetts Bay want to send him back to England?-3. How

Salem into the wilderness. where he could enjoy that freedom which the Puritans denied him. More than three months he wandered amid snow and rain, without either bread or bed. At last he reached some Indian wigwams, where he was kindly received. He bought of the Indians a tract on Narragansett Bay, and commenced a settlement. Grateful for God's mercy, he called this place Providence. Turn to the map on page 43, and point out Providence, the first settlement in Rhode Island.

He resolved to find some place

4. There is a beautiful island in Narragansett Bay, which the Indians called the Isle of Peace. Soon after Providence was founded, another party that had difficulties with the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay, bought this island of the Indians, and settled on it. They called it the Isle of Rhodes. Near its southern shore was a curious old tower, shown in the engraving. No one could tell who built it. Near this tower the city of Newport,

now one of the capitals of Rhode Island, was founded.

5. NEW HAMPSHIRE.-Settlements were made in what is now the state of New Hampshire, as early as 1623. A number of trading and fishing posts were afterwards established there. These settlements, at their own request, were received into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. But, after about forty years, they were formed into a separate province by the King of Great Britain, under the name of New Hampshire.

6. CONNECTICUT.- -The Connecticut (or Long River, as the.

did Roger Williams escape being sent back to England? What did he resolve to do? Give an account of his wanderings. Where and how did he obtain some land? What did he call his settlement ?-4. What other settlement was soon after made? What was found on the Isle of Rhodes? What city was founded near this tower?-5. When was New Hampshire first settled? With what colony were these settlements first united? After forty years, what was done with them?-6. What does the word Connecticut mean? By whom was

1614]

SETTLEMENT OF CONNECTICUT.

45

name means in the Indian language) was discovered by the Dutch of New Amsterdam. They built a fort where Hartford now stands, and opened a profitable trade with the Indians. But after a time the people of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay heard of this long river, whose waters were filled with fish, and whose banks abounded in beaver and otter. One day in the year 1633, the traders at the Dutch fort were surprised to see a little vessel come sailing up the river. They wanted to keep this pleasant country to themselves. So, loading a cannon, they hailed the vessel, and told the captain to stop, or they would fire on him.

7. The little vessel belonged to Captain William Holmes. He had come from Plymouth to settle in the valley of the Connecticut, and brought with him the frame of a house to put up where he should land. He was not afraid of the Dutch or their cannon. So, since the wind was fair, he took no notice of their threats, but kept on his way. He passed the fort in safety, and settled a few miles higher up, at a place now called Windsor. Do you see it on the map?

8. It did not take long for reports concerning the fair valley of the Connecticut to reach England. A great lord obtained a

the Connecticut River discovered? Where did the Dutch build a fort? Who heard of this pleasant river? What were the Dutch surprised to see one day? What did they do?-7. To whom did the vessel belong? Where was it from?