The Seeding of New England 63 



getting permission to settle there, Mr. Dermer left St. John's 

 and sailed down the coast, stopping here and there to gather 

 information for his report to Sir Ferdinando. He spent some 

 weeks in the country around Cape Cod, and while there, he 

 gave the much-traveled Squanto his freedom. 



This was the Squanto whom the chief Samoset recom- 

 mended to Governor John Carver as one who spoke much 

 better English than himself. He came to Plymouth in the early 

 Spring of 1621 and "directed them how to set their corne, 

 where to take fish, and to procure other commodities and who 

 never left them till he died." 



Surely, it is not unworthy of remark that of the three In- 

 dians who are recorded by name as having taught the whites 

 how to "set their corne," two remained steadfast friends of the 

 colonists for the rest of their lives. 



The first landing of the Pilgrims on Cape Cod was made in 

 mid-November. The pin-oaks still fluttered russet leaves; but 

 the other trees were bare. In and out between the piled sand 

 dunes grew thickets of bay, set with waxy, gray berries. Be- 

 hind these stretched dark swamps, splashed with the crimson 

 of wild cranberries. 



It was no land of plenty offering fresh food to travelers who 

 had tossed for seven long weeks at sea. Here were no waving 

 green maize fields such as had gladdened the eyes of Ralph 

 Lane's fellow colonists. Instead, the first reconnoitering party 

 of sixteen, sent out under Captain Miles Standish, 



found a pond of clear fresh water and shortly after a good 

 quantitie of clear ground where the Indeans had formerly sett 

 corne, and some of their graves. And Proceeding furder they saw 

 new stubble wher corne had been sett the same year, also they 

 found wher lately a house had been, wher some planks and a great 

 kettle was remaining and heaps of sand newly padled with their 

 hands which they digging up found in them diverce faire Indean 

 baskets filled with corne, and some in them eares, faire and good 



