History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

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History of Swansea
and gentle slumber soon followed. When Massasoit awoke,
he persuaded Winslow to go to the different wigwams and
treat several of the tribe who were sick, the kind Massasoit
telling Winslow that the poor sufferers were "good folk,"
This labor, though very offensive to the senses, being performed
with cheerfulness and success, was as beneficial to the people
of Plymouth, from a political point of view, as it
cally to the sufferers.
was medi-
In the afternoon, Massasoit desiring some wild fowl,
Winslow succeeded in shooting a very fat duck, at a range of
three hundred and sixty feet. When this had been made into
broth, Winslow insisted on skimming ofiP the fat, fearing its
effect on a weak stomach; but his wilful patient would not
allow it. In consequence, within an hour Massasoit, who had
eaten too heartily of the dish, was again very sick. In his
straining he brought on the dreaded nose-bleed, which could
not be checked for four hours. The case for some time was
desperate, but at length his retching subsided, and then the
hemorrhage, after which he slept for nearly eight hours. When
he awoke, Winslow bathed his face and beard; but suddenly
the chief thrusting his nose into the basin of water, and
drawing up a large quantity, ejected it so violently that his
nose-bleed returned. At this sight the Indians gave up their
renewed hopes and utterly despaired; but Winslow, seeing
that the bleeding was superficial, soon stopped it. The loss of
blood had been a benefit. The king now needed only care as
to diet, and more sleep; by the second morning he was comparatively
well, having a good appetite, and being able to sit
up and converse.
The supphes from Plymouth arrived in about twentyfour
hours from the departure of the runners from Sowams
(fifty miles and back). The medicines were no longer needed,
and the chickens Massasoit wisely concluded to keep for
breeding. Visitors continued to come from all the tribes round
about, and to them a pinese constantly repeated the details of
the wonderful cure which his English friends had wrought
upon their good ruler when he was wellnigh "spent." The
day before Winslow's coming, a visiting sachem had assured
Massasoit that the Enghsh were no friends to him, and especially
insisted that they had neglected him in his sickness.
After his recovery the chief could not too warmly or too constantly
express his gratitude, exclaiming, among other things:
" Now I see the English are my friends and love me ; and while
I live I will never forget this kindness they have showed me.
Hampden and Hobomok had earnestly assisted Winslow,
and all three were entertained by the Indians in the best
"