Samoset and Squanto
In March of 1621, spring had finally come to New England. The spirits of the people rose with the coming of warm sunshine. The people realized that they had survived their first winter. One day a stranger came to town. A tall Indian dressed in buckskins with only his bow and arrow marched down the street to the meeting house. Families fled into their wood cabins. “Welcome,” said the stranger in English. He was Samoset, a friend of Squanto and Chief Massasoit.
The Pilgrims were astonished. They were more astonished as Samoset told them that he had learned English from people who had fished along the coast and that his friend Squanto not only spoke better English but also had visited England three times!
Samoset returned the following day with Squanto. He brought beaver skins to trade. Thus began a long and lasting relationship. Squanto was the one who remained with the Pilgrims and guided them to good fishing spots, who interpreted for them in trading with Indian tribes, and who taught them about Indian corn-the plant that was to become a staple food for the colonists.
