of which it seems the king's absence had prevented any supplies. At night they were honored by sharing the royal couch, which consisted of a large board, covered with a thin mat. At the other end lay his majesty and the queen; and they had soon the additional company of two chiefs, who, with a large colony of fleas and other insects, and the uncouth songs with which their bedfellows lulled themselves to rest, rendered their slumbers very brief. Next day, two large bream were spread on the table; but "forty expected a share." Though strongly urged, they declined to partake any longer of these hospitalities.

It was discovered, however, that Squanto was completely abusing their confidence; telling his countrymen that but for him the English would kill the Indians; and that they kept the plague locked up in their storehouse, which only his intercession prevented from being let loose. On this being known, the utmost pains were taken, and successfully, to undeceive the people. In February, 1622, the settlers had completely enclosed their town, forming four bulwarks and three gates. They were some time after alarmed by hearing that Massassoit, now at the point of death, was likely to be succeeded by his son Coubatant, whose disposition. was far from friendly. Edward Winslow hastened to the spot, and found the magicians busy at their incantations, and six or eight women chafing him amidst hideous yells. The chief, already blind, cried out: Oh, Winsnow, I shall never see thee again!" That gentleman, however, by suitable medicines, gave present relief, and in a few days effected a cure. Even the heir-apparent, being promised similar aid in case of need, became greatly reconciled to them.

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Captain Miles Standish continued to be the military commander of the colonists, and by his activity, courage, and prudence, aided greatly in preserving peace with the Indians. Coubatant, Massassoit's heir, being suspected of hostility to the colonists, Standish, with 14 men, marched against his village, and although Coubatant escaped, so frightened the Indians that nine chiefs soon afterwards came to Plymouth and entered into a treaty with the English. The town was fortified, and Standish,

by his skilful dispositions, prepared it for a vigorous defence in case of an attack from the natives.

Canonicus's Challenge.

The Narragansetts were the enemies. of Massassoit's people. Their chief, Canonicus, sent a bundle of arrows, tied up with a rattlesnake skin, to the governor, in token of hostility. Bradford filled the skin with powder and shot, and sent it back in defiance: the sachem was intimidated, and gladly consented to a treaty with the colonists. The Indians sent the significant token back to Plymouth.

In the meantime, Weston, one of the London merchants, had founded a settlement at Wessagusset, which was named Weymouth. But the settlers behaved so ill to the Indians, that they entered into a confederacy to cut off all the English. This was revealed by Massassoit to his friends at Plymouth, who succeeded in saving themselves and their rivals, though the latter were obliged to relinquish their settlement,

some returning home and others joining the first colony.

The progress of Plymouth was rapid. In 1634, it contained one hundred and eighty persons. The London merchants complained loudly that they had expended much, and had not the slightest prospect of receiving a return. After a great deal of discussion, it was determined that the colonists should now supply themselves with everything, and for past services should, during nine years, pay £200 annually. Eight adventurers, on receiving a monopoly of the trade for six years, undertook to meet this engagement; so that the settlers were now established in the full property of their lands.

The portion of Mr. Robinson's congregation, which had remained in Holland, after the death of their pastor, were desirous to join their brethren in New Plymouth. As the expense of their removal was the main difficulty to be overcome, this was defrayed by the settlers, and the emigration was accomplished in 1627.

In 1630, the Plymouth colony obtained a new patent, by which their territory was much enlarged and a tract of land obtained on Kennebec

River. The number of inhabitants at this time was about three hundred. This was a small number, compared with the early population of the Virginia colony, but considering the difficulties encountered, it must be regarded as an indication of the flourishing state of the Plymouth colony. King James could never be persuaded to recognize their government; and this, no doubt, impeded the progress of emigration.

The establishment on the Kennebec was an important acquisition for the purposes of trade. The commerce of the colonists was also extended by an amicable intercourse with the Dutch settlers on Hudson's River. This colony continued to prosper under the influence of peace and industry until its permanency could not be doubted. It formed the nucleus of all the others which were planted in New England, and the general character of the settlers was essentially that of the colonists of Plymouth — firm and brave, industrious and frugal, pious, but intolerant.

T

CHAPTER XI.

COLONIZATION OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.

HE English Plymouth Company had received the grant of

vast territories in New England; but all their efforts to derive profit from them proved abortive. They were particularly anxious to stop the active trade and fishery carried on in defiance of their privileges. Francis West was appointed admiral, and Robert Gorges lieutenant-general of New England, with strict injunctions to restrain interlopers.

Sir Ferdinand Gorges, obtaining the grant of a large portion of what is now called New Hampshire, employed Captain Mason, a brave and active man, to colonize it. In 1623, a number of emigrants were sent over, who settled at the mouth of the Piscataqua, and further up the river at a place called by the Indians Cocheco, and by the colonists, Dover. Trade and fishing seem to have engaged the attention of these emigrants, and consequently, their progress was very slow. About the same time, settlements were made upon the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers, by the crews of vessels sent out for fish and timber. A colony was planted at the mouth of the Kennebec River in 1630, under the direction of Richard Vines. In the following year, a tract, comprehending the peninsula on which Portland is built, was conveyed by the Company, to two merchants, who erected a trading-house on an island

near Portland harbor, and thus promoted the settlement of the neighboring coast. The colonists were principally from the southwest of England, and being accompanied by a clergyman of the established church, they found little favor with the Puritans of Massachusetts.

In 1635, Gorges obtained from the Company a separate title to that portion of their former grant which lies east of the Piscataqua, while Mason was confirmed in possession of the western part. Gorges called his territory New Somersetshire, and Mason gave his portion the name of New Hampshire. Mason died soon after, and left his affairs in so disordered a state that his family derived little benefit from his proprietorship, and the colonists were left to take care of themselves.

Gorges took immediate measures to organize a government for all the settlements within the limits of his patent. Captain William Gorges, and seven commissioners, were appointed as the legislative, judicial and executive power. They met at Saco, in Maine, and transacted a considerable amount of business. But they did not give satisfaction, and in the next year, the proprietor gave authority to Governor Winthrop and others of Massachusetts to govern the province. But this order was disregarded by those to whom it was addressed, and not long after, Gorges was created Lord Palatine. He appointed a board of councillors, changed the name of the province to Maine, and, in 1640, convened a general court at Saco. In the next year, Thomas Gorges was appointed

governor.

Previous to the date of Mason's patent for New Hampshire, some emigrants from Massachusetts founded Exeter. In 1641, New Hampshire