A person who has survived by navigating between stronger groups may become skilled at playing those groups against each other.

None of that excuses deception.

It makes the deception historically intelligible.

Tisquantum’s alleged manipulation of Ousamequin and Plymouth is often presented as proof that he became power-hungry.

Perhaps he did.

But “power” for someone in his position was not an abstract luxury.

It could mean protection from being controlled again.

The same skill that had made him useful to English merchants — his ability to move between cultures — became his primary political resource after Patuxet’s destruction.

He could not rebuild his old village by himself.

He could, however, become indispensable.