Annie grinned. "Good day, Squanto!" she said.
"Good day, Annie," said Squanto. He smiled at herand Jack.
Jack was too surprised to speak. Why did Squantosay he remembers us? He wondered. Is he mistakingus for two other kids?
Captain Standish looked surprised, too. ButGovernor Bradford smiled warmly.
"'Tis a wonder," he said. "We welcome all the smallfolk sent to us. Children are a gift from God--nomatter where they come from."That's a nice way of looking at things, Jack thought.
Just then, a boy ran up. "Chief Massasoit is herewith ninety men!" he shouted.
The boy pointed to a long line of men walkingdown a path near a cornfield.
Chief Massasoit walked ahead of the others. Hisface was painted red. He wore a fur robe and whitebeads.
Governor Bradford, Captain Standish, and Squantowent to meet the visitors.
"Mercy!" a Pilgrim woman whispered. All thePilgrims looked worried.
"Art thou afraid?" Annie asked.
"Oh, no," said Priscilla. "We invited Chief Massasoitand his men to our harvest feast. But we did notexpect so many. We have not prepared enough food. "Governor Bradford and Squanto spoke to the chief.
Then Squanto led a number of men into the woods.
And the governor walked back to the Pilgrims.
"The Wampanoag men will hunt more deer " hesaid. "But we must also bring more food to the table.
Priscilla, please tell the young folk what they mustdo."The grown-ups went back to the village as thePilgrim kids gathered around Priscilla. She told someto carry water or set up tables. She told others togather vegetables or hunt small animals.
Once the kids were given their jobs, they rushed offto do them. Finally only Jack, Annie, and a small girlholding a big basket were left.
"Jack, would thou like to go fowling with theboys?" Priscilla asked him. She pointed to a group ofboys who had just headed off with the dog.
Jack stared at her in panic. What does she mean? hewondered.
"'What's 'fowling'?" Annie asked.
"Thou does not know?" said the little "'Tis huntingwater birds, of course.""Jack doesn't know how to do that," Annie.
"'Tis true? How does thou eat and live?" the littlegirl asked curiously.
"We, uh.. ." Jack froze.
"We catch--fish!" said Annie. We do? thought Jack.
"Ah, good!" said Priscilla. "Then I bid thee bringback as many eels and clams as thou can. We havenear one hundred fifty mouths to feed." Priscilla tookthe basket from the small girl and gave it to Annie.
"We will see thee later!" Priscilla said, waving.
"Mary and I must go help with the cooking.""Um ... ?" said Jack.
But before he could ask any questions, Priscilla andthe little girl started back to the village. |