 Having accomplished his mission , Standish returned to Plymouth with Wituwamat 's head . The leaders of the alleged plot to destroy the English settlements had been killed and the threat removed , but the action had unexpected consequences . The settlement of Wessagusset was all but abandoned after the incident , which Standish had been trying to protect . Most of the settlers departed for an English fishing post on <unk> Island . The attack also caused widespread panic among Native Americans throughout the region . Villages were abandoned and the Pilgrims had difficulty reviving trade for some time . 
