by Paula Love

Created on: November 03, 2009

One year before the Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower, another vessel, a small open boat, was traveling from England to the New World. On this boat were an English explorer named Thomas Dermer and his Native American guide Tisquantum, of the Patuxet tribe. Tisquantum, better known as Squanto, had been taken from his home in what is now the state of Maine in the U.S. to England in the year 1605. During his time in England, Squanto learned the language and was able to serve as an interpreter between the English and the Native Americans.

Squanto returned to his home with Captain John Smith in 1612. Two years later he was abducted and sold into slavery by Englishman Thomas Hunt. After five years in Spain and England, Squanto was able to return to his native land once again, this time with Dermer. Upon landing in New England, it was discovered that much of the Native population had been destroyed by a plague thought to be European in origin, against which the Native Americans held no natural defenses. The Natives were now distrustful of the Europeans and eventually killed Dermer. They were also suspicious of Squanto because he spoke the English language, and he was made a prisoner by his own people.

When the Pilgrims landed in 1620, Squanto convinced the Wampanoag sachem, or leader, Massasoit, that befriending, rather than attacking, the European settlers would be more beneficial to the tribe. Massasoit reluctantly agreed, and he sent a visiting sachem named Samoset to meet with the Pilgrims. Samoset told the Pilgrims of the great plague that had decimated so many of the Natives. He also told them about Massasoit, the Chief who had sent him to speak with them.

A few days after Samoset departed from the Pilgrim's settlement of Plymouth, he returned again with Squanto and three other Native Americans. Along with furs and fish, these men also brought word that Massasoit was in the area. A short time later, Massasoit and a band of about sixty warriors topped a hill outside Plymouth. Squanto met with the sachem and returned with a message that Massasoit wished to meet with a delegate from their settlement. The governor of Plymouth, John Carver, sent Edward Winslow as his representative, bearing gifts and a message of peace. With Squanto's help interpreting between the Native Americans and the Englishmen, the two groups were able to form a treaty of peace and alliance.

It was agreed at this point that Squanto would remain with the English settlers. Squanto taught the

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