in 1614, squanto and 23 other indians were kidnapped by a lieutenant under smith. this lieutenant sold him and the rest of the indians as slaves in malaga, spain. many historians have disputed what happened in this period of his life, as there is no written record. one theory is that once the spanish found out these slaves were from the new world, spanish friars rescued the remaining indians, including squanto, by purchasing them. they sent him on his way to england. it is not known what happened to the others. this is where he was taught english and the ways of the white man. he was employed by john slaney of the newfoundland company, and was sent to newfoundland around 1617, as an interpreter. he returned to his homeland in north america in 1619.