[Edward Winslow gives us here another proof of that rare self-sacrifice, that entire devotion to his work, and that splendid intrepidity which so signally characterized his whole career.  At this most critical moment, the fate of the little colony trembling in the balance, when there was evident fear of treachery and surprise on the part of both the English and the savages; though the wife of his youth lay at the point of death (which came but two days later), and his heart was heavy with grief; forgetting all but the welfare of his little band of brethren, he goes forward alone, his life in his hand, to meet the great sachem surrounded by his whole tribe, as the calm, adroit diplomatist, upon whom all must depend; and as the fearless hostage, to put himself in pawn for the savage chief.]

The king, leaving Master Winslow with brother, came over the brook, with some twenty of his men, leaving their bows and arrows behind them, and giving some six or seven of their men as hostages for Master Winslow.  Captain Standish, with Master Williamson, the ship’s-merchant, as interpreter,

[It would seem from the frequent mention of the presence of some of the ship’s company, Master Jones, the “Masters-mates,” and now the “ship’s-merchant,” that the ship was daily well represented in the little settlement on shore.  The presence of Master Williamson on this occasion is perhaps readily accounted for.  Every other meeting with the Indians had been unexpected, the present one was anticipated, and somewhat eagerly, for upon its successful issue almost everything depended.  By this time Standish had probably become aware that Tisquantum’s command of English was very limited, and he desired all the aid the ship’s interpreter could give.  By some means, the sachem and the colonists succeeded in establishing on this day a very good and lasting understanding.]

                              and a guard of half a dozen musketeers, met
                              the king at the brook,

[The guard was probably made thus small to leave the body of the colonists as strong a reserve force as possible to meet any surprise attack on the part of the Indians.  Colonel Higginson, in his Book of American Explorers, gives a cut of this meeting of Massasoit and his pineses with Standish and his guard of honor, but it is defective in that the guard seems to have advanced to the hill ("Strawberry,” or later “Watson’s”) to meet the sachem, instead of only to “the brook;” and more especially in that there are but two officers with the “six musketeers,” where there ought to be three, viz.  Standish, in command, Edward Window, as the envoy and hostage (in full armor), and “Mr. Williamson,” the ship’s-merchant or purser, as interpreter, perhaps acting as lieutenant of the guard.  It is always matter of regret when books, especially text-books, written by authors of some repute, and published