Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/73



HE introduction between the Pilgrims and Massassoit, in March, 1621, as already described, was the first contact and bond of union between the whites and the natives. The visit of the Indians was kindly reciprocated in July of the same year, when Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins were dispatched on a visit to Sowams, This was the first attempt of the English to explore the interior, their object being to gain a knowledge of the Pokanoket country, the land of the Wampanoags, "to apologize for some misbehavior, to establish and to regulate an intercourse, to procure corn, and to strengthen their mutual good understanding." Up to this time the Pilgrims had not set foot outside their little settlement, but now with Squanto as guide, they proceeded on their western exploration, with an intrepidity akin to that of those who now attempt the like service on the frontiers of the far west. They bore as gifts to the Indian chief a horseman's laced coat of red cotton and a chain. The party set out on foot on the morning of the 3rd of July, 1621, and at three of the same day were received with joy at the Indian village of Namasket, in Middleboro, and were refreshed by an Indian repast of bread called mozium, made of Indian corn, and also with the roes of shad, which were boiled with acorns. Eight miles further on, they reached the Titicut River, where they found