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The men returned to Plymouth after rescuing the Billington boy, and it was confirmed to them that Massasoit had been ousted or taken by the Narragansetts.<ref>{{harvnb|Mourt's Relation|1622|p=53}} reprinted in {{harvnb|Dexter|1865|p=118}} and {{harvnb|Young|1841|p=219}}.</ref> They also learned that [[Corbitant]], a Pocasset{{sfn|Bradford|1952|p=88 n.4}} sachem formerly tributary to Massasoit, was at Nemasket attempting to pry that band away from Massasoit. Corbitant was reportedly also railing against the peace initiatives that the Plymouth settlers had just had with the Cummaquid and the Nauset. Tisquantum was an object of Corbitant's ire because of his role in mediating peace with the Cape Cod Indians, but also because he was the principal means by which the settlers could communicate with the Indians. "If he were dead, the English had lost their tongue," he reportedly said.<ref>{{harvnb|Mourt's Relation|1622|p=53}} reprinted in {{harvnb|Dexter|1865|pp=118–20}} and {{harvnb|Young|1841|pp=219–20}}.</ref> [[Hobbamock|Hobomok]] was a Pokanoket ''pniese'' residing with the colonists,{{efn|Bradford describes him as "a proper lusty man, and a man of account for his valour and parts amongst the Indians".<ref name="Bradford 1952 88">''OPP'': {{harvnb|Bradford|1952|p=88}} and {{harvnb|Davis|1908|p=119}}.</ref>}} and he had also been threatened for his loyalty to Massasoit.<ref>{{harvnb|Mourt's Relation|1622|p=53}} reprinted in {{harvnb|Dexter |1865|pp=118–19}} and {{harvnb|Young|1841|p=219}}.</ref> Tisquantum and Hobomok were evidently too frightened to seek out Massasoit, and instead went to Nemasket to find out what they could. Tokamahamon, however, went looking for Massasoit. Corbitant discovered Tisquantum and Hobomok at Nemasket and captured them. He held Tisquantum with a knife to his breast, but Hobomok broke free and ran to Plymouth to alert them, thinking that Tisquantum had died.<ref>{{harvnb|Mourt's Relation|1622|p=53}} reprinted in {{harvnb|Dexter|1865|pp=118–19}} and {{harvnb|Young|1841|pp=219–20}}.</ref>
Governor Bradford organized an armed task force of about a dozen men under the command of Miles Standish,<ref>''OPP'': {{harvnb|Bradford|1952|pp=88}} and {{harvnb|Davis|1908|p=119}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Mourt's Relation|1622|p=54}} reprinted in {{harvnb|Dexter|1865|p=120}} and {{harvnb|Young|1841|p=220}}.</ref> and they set off before daybreak on August 14<ref name="oppMorison89"/> under the guidance of Hobomok. The plan was to march the 14 miles to Nemasket, rest, and then take the village unawares in the night. The surprise was total, and the villagers were terrified. The colonists could not make the Indians understand that they were only looking for Corbitant, and there were "three sore wounded" trying to escape the house.<ref>''OPP'': {{harvnb|Bradford|1952|p=89}} and {{harvnb|Davis|1908| p==120}},</ref> The colonists realized that Tisquantum was unharmed and staying in the village, and that Corbitant and his men had returned to Pocaset. The colonists searched the dwelling, and
Bradford wrote that this action resulted in a firmer peace, and that "divers sachems" congratulated the settlers and more came to terms with them. Even Corbitant made his peace through Massasoit.<ref name=oppMorison89>''OPP'': {{harvnb|Bradford|1952|p=89}} and {{harvnb|Davis|1908|p=120}}.</ref> [[Nathaniel Morton]] later recorded that nine sub-sachems came to Plymouth on September 13, 1621, and signed a document declaring themselves "Loyal Subjects of King ''James'', King of ''Great Britain'', ''France'' and ''Ireland''".{{sfn|Morton|1669|p=29}}
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