therefore concerning such places which may be thought not touched with the guilt of the forementioned miscarriages yet have by the overruling hand of Providence been notwithstanding made to suffer as deeply as others I judge them not yet hope if they have ought for which to judge themselves before him that searcheth the hearts they will take occasion hereby to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God that in his due time they may be Exalted to their former Tranquility and Peace When Gods Judgements are abroad in the Earth then should the Inhabitants of the World learn Righteousness This Caution is judged the more necessary here to be added in that it is the general observation of all indifferent and unconcerned persons about the like Troubles That they have ordinarily either begun or have fallen heaviest upon those places and persons that have had most to do in the Trading with Indians If any such have as yet escaped their hands to be sure they have been Threatned as if they had been before others particularly lookt upon by them as the Objâ—ct of their Revenge which makes some moderate persons fear that those men have either themselves offended in that kind or else have connived at others under them to carry on the Traffick with the Indians by such wayes and means that have been as well offensive to God as injurious to those they have Traded with In the second place touching the various Success we have met withal in our several Encounters with the Indians Victory and Conquest did for a long time seem to stand Neuter and our Condition and Warfare not much unlike the Conflict between Israel and Amalek in the Wilderness nor can it be denyed out that our Enemies for a time had great Success in their Outrages Providence as it were seeming to offer them opportunities of doing us much mischief when we could find none of taking just Revenge Things of that nature being strangely either hid from the Eyes of the Leaders or else the weather hath so fallen out as that it was not possible for our men to have pursued them Although both the Commanders and Souldiers sent forth from all the three Colonyes have joyntly and severally pursued their Advantages with in-Credible hazard and diligence and with as Invincible Courage as ordinarily hath been found amongst men But as it is said the Battle is not alwayes to the strong nor the Race to the swift but Time and Chance hath strangely Interposed to the prolonging of our miseties and the hardning and embolding of our Enemies Much of our disappointments and the loss of many of our Forces engaging with them must be imputed in a great measure to our mens unacquaintedness with the manner of their fighting they doing most of their mischiefs either by Ambushments sudden surprizals or over-matching some of our small Companyes with greater numbers having had many times six or seven to one Possibly also many of our Overthrows have proceeded from our too much Confidence in our own weapons Courage and Martial Discipline Not making Allowance for the difference of Times when they before engaged us only with Bowâ— and Arrows but now came to fight us with our own weapons which hath proved no small Advantage to our Enemies and disadvantage to our selves or else to the distance of our Towns one from the other so as ofttimes they were destroyed or in danger thereof before any notice was taken of their danger If that be a sure Rule whereby Valour is to be judged plus animi est inferenti pâ—riculum quam propulsanti sc that there is more Courage seen in the Assaylants than in the Defendants a few of our men have frequently defended themselves against multitudes of them unless at such times when Providence seemed as it were to trouble the Wheels of our Motions and fight against us so as ordinarily our people used not to want Courage For at Lancaster where they seemed to have had the greatest Cause of boasting for their Success in any Assault although it were since known that they had five hundred fighting men when they Assaulted that small Town of about fifty Familyes yet were they able to surprize but one garrison house which neither was fenced round nor were the Defendants able to ply their shot behind it but so as the Enemy came to the very Walls and Roof on the back side with their Fuel or else they had never been able to have dispossessed the Inhabitants The same Indians within a while after had not been able to have done the mischief at Groaton which they did had not a Garrison been unadvisedly as it were delivered into their hands In one word they were more beholding to their perfidious Subtlety and Falshood or to the Advantage of Season place and Number than any Valour or Courage in all their Victoryes shewing only a Belluine Rage and fierceness when they had an opportunity in their hands to destroy or do mischief For soon after when the time of Vengeance was come and God seemed to owne the Cause of his People a small handful of our men hath surprized hundreds of theirs as hath been already declared in the Narrative The Dispensations of the Almighty have been very awful towards us for a long time not seeming to go forth with our Armies nor helping us in defending our selves or defeating of our Enemies as if he had a purpose and designe to bring a sharp Scourge upon us by that means to humble us and prove us and then as we trust to do us good in our latter end acting therein as wise Parents that after they have corrected their Children to cast the Rod into the Fire For our Enemies to the Southward were in the beginning of these Troubles possessed of many goodly Havens many rich and Fertile places as at Mount-Hope and all along the Narrhagansit Country But are by this occasion quarrelling with us without cause themselves in a manner all destroyed by the special hand of God and their Posterity quite rooted out as were the Pequots before them whereby it may be gathered as we hope that God is making way to settle a better people in their rooms and in their stead when the whole frame of Gods Counsels and purposes are put together and accomplished by the Issues of his Providence it will no doubt appear a work very beautiful in its Season not only for the glory of the Author but for the good and benefit of his people that are concerned therein As for predictions or presages of these late Troubles Something of that nature hath been observed by some Judicious persons in reference to the present Calamities of which something hath already been published to the World concerning which I have nothing to adde only that some such things have been affirmed by credible persons as presages of what hath lately come to pass The noyse of Guns is affirmed by many to have been heard in the Ayre in sundry places not many years
as far as Narhaganset Fort was this last June returned back to Major Walderns by one Squando the Sagamore of Saco A strange mixture of mercy and Cruelty Soon after Capt. Bonithon's and Major Philips Dwellings were assaulted one on the East the other on the West side of Saco River It is said they had seasonable notice of what was intended against them by their Barbarous Enemies Those Amonoscoggan Indians viz. by an Indian of Saco their Neighbour better minded then the rest of his Country men who observing a strange Indian coming to his Wigwam in Company with some of his acquaintance one of whom informed him after the rest with the stranger were gone That the said stranger came from the Westward and that his business was to perswade the Eastern Indians to fall upon the English in their dwellings here as the rest had done to the Westward Captain Bonithon either upon this Information or upon the knowledge of what was done a little before at Casco had left his house and was retired over the River with his Family to Major Philips his Garrison Thus two are better then one for otherwise both might have been destroyed For upon the 18th of September following being the 7th day of the week about eleven a Clock they at Major Philips his Garrison saw Capt. Bonithon's house on fire on the East side of Saco River which by the good Providence of God was to them as the firing of a Beacon giving them notice to look to themselves their Enemies being now come for otherwise they might to their great disadvantage have been too suddenly surprized for within half an hour after they were upon them when a Sentinel placed in the Chamber gave notice that he saw an Indian by the Fence side near a Corn Field Major Philips not willing to believe till he might see with his own Eyes ran hastily up another of his men coming after cryed Mr. what mean you do you intend to be killed at which words he turned suddenly back from the window out of which he was looking when presently a Bullet struck him on the shoulder grazing only upon it without breaking the bone The Indians upon the shot thinking he had been slain thereby as they heard afterwards gave a great shout upon which they discerned that they were surrounded by them whereupon they presently fired on the Enemy from all Quarters and from the Flankers of the Fortification so as they wounded the Captain of the Indians who presently leaving the Assault retired three or four miles from the place where be soon after dyed as they were informed He counselled them to leave the siege but they were resolved not so to quit the place nor were those within less resolute to defend it one of the best men was soon after disabled from any further Service by a wound which he received in one of the Volleys made upon them by the Assaylants But that no whit daunted the rest of the Defendants who continuing still firing amain upon the Enemy This Dispute lasted about an hour after which the Enemy despaâ—ring to take the house by Assault thought upon a device how to burn it First firing the house of one of his Tenants then his Saw-Mill after that his Corn Mill hoping by that means to draw them out of the Garrison to put out the fire but missing of their purpose in that they called out you English Cowardly Dogs come out and quench the Fire They continued this sport all the afternoon continually almost without any Intermission firing upon them The besieged hoped for Relief from the Town but none came The Major still encouraging his men to stand it out which they manfully did all that night when they were alarmd almost every half hour and betwixt whiles they could hear their Axes and other Instruments knocking about the Mills till the next day They within the house conceived they were preparing some Engine wherewith to burn the house which proved accordingly for about 4 or 5 a Clock in the morning at the setting of the Moon the Major was called by his men to look out when he saw a Cart with four Wheels having a Barricado built in the fore part to keep off Shot and filled with combustible matter birch rindes straw powder and Poles twenty Foot long apt to fire the house he bid them let them drive it within Pistol shot before they made any shot against them His men were a little discouraged at the sight of this Engine but he bid them be of good Courage and use the means putting their trust in God who he was confident would deliver them The Cart when brought a little nearer became unweildy by Reason of the Barricado planted in it and being to pass through a small gutter one Wheel stuck fast in the Slough which brought the Cart suddenly to the Left whereby the Drivers lay all open to their right Flanker when presently they fired upon them out of the said Flanker and having so fair a shot upon them and not being above Pistol shot from the place they killed six of the Enemy and wounded fifteen as they found afterwards which no doubt made them too late to repent of their Resolution not to follow their Captains Counsel and Example in leaving the Siege for now they presently departed So as at Sun rise they within the house espyed forty of them marching away but how many more were in the Company they could not tell The Indians it seemed went toward Blue point where it is said they killed several persons but those in the house feared they went for more help and expected their Return but it seems their Courage failed them as to another Attempt upon an house so well garrisoned and manfully defended Major Philips sent to the Town for help acquainting them with what had passed but none was sent them either that day or the next so as having spent almost all their Amunition the people that were with him would not be perswaded to tarry longer then the Munday morning which constrained him and his Family to remove to the Town about a Fortnight after the Indians hearing thereof came and burnt down the empty house There were fifty persons in the said house during the time of the Siege and but ten able hands they had five more that could do something but through Age or minority not able to make any notable Resistance yet so it pleased God in whose hands are all mens lives and limbs and who is never wont to fail them who in time of danger are ready so to confide in his power and goodness as not to neglect the use of due means for their own Preservation so to order things that not one person of all those fifty was either killed or mortally wounded Major Philips himself was wounded but not dangerously at the beginning of the Assault his Mâ—l's with other Edifices were the first day burned by the Enemy so were all the houses at Saco or most of
with had shewed the like Resolution with this Plaisted they would not have done half the mischeef that since hath been done by them and slunke away into the woods before the next day when Captain Frost came up from Sturgeon Creek a few miles below the River with a party of his friends and buryed the dead During these onsets the Enemy also took their Advantage to burne three houses and two barns before they left the place The latter End of the same Month they burned a Mill near the same place belonging to Mr. Hâ—tchinson a Merchant of Boston from whence they came down lower toward Sturgeon Creek where they burned one house and killed two men not far from Captain Frost 's dwelling he escaping himself very narrowly being shot at by the Enemy about Ten in Number who might easily have burned his house and taken all that were in it being but three boyes besides himself had he not used this policy to call out to some to march this and the other way to look after the Indians as if he had had many at hand to Command which under God was the means of his escape for his house was neither Fortified nor well manned yet was far from Neighbours The next day the said Indians passed down the River on Kittary side killed one man whose house they first plundered and then set it on fire All this was done just over against Portsmouth from whence out of a small Battery was discharged a piece of Ordnance which by a good Providence was directed so to fling its shot as it fell very near a party of the Indians for they were so affrighted therewith if none of them were killed that they left a good part of their plunder near the place They were pursued by some of the English before they could recover their home and by the help of the Snow that fell about that time were traced till they were overtaken but being near a Swamp themselves escaped for hast leaving two of their Packs behind them Soon after they went up the River again to Quechecho where they burned an house and two or three Barns Another Party of them got over or beyond the other branches of Pascataqua River toward Exceter and Lampny Eyle River where they killed one man sundry of them were seen in the woods about Exceter and between Hampton and Exceter where they killed one or two men in the woods as they were travelling homewards occasioning the people of those Towns to stand continually upon their guard which proved a great annoyance to the Inhabitants But to look a little back to the Plantations more Eastward from Pascataqua River where these outrages of the Indians first began At Casco Bay Lieut. Ingersons Son with another man going out a fowling about this time were both killed before they returned home his Fathers houses being burned with wany others also thereabouts At Black point Lieut. Augur with two more were assaulted by the Indianâ— where after many shot exchanged betwixt them himself was so wounded that he dyed soon after and his brother also was killed within a few dayes afterwards not far from the same place When the rising of the Indians first began in those Eastern parts with us called the County of Yorkshire Captain Wincol of Newechewannick with some others having a Sympathy for the sufferings of the Neighbours marched up that way with a small party of men In his first Skirmish with the Enemy he chanced to loose two or three of his Company the rest being not above eleven in all as they were marching along by the Sea side were assaulted by a great number of the Indians judged to be an hundred and fifty he being hard beset with so great a number retreated to an heap of Bolts that lay near the water side by the shelter of which they lay safe from the Indians Guns and so well plyed their few Guns that they slew many of their Enemies and put them all to a kinde of Route at the last After which by the help of an old Canoo they recovered safe to the other side of the Banke But nine Saco men had worse success who yet came with a very good Intention to help their friends upon the hearing of their Guns but as they came to Rescue Captain Wincol with his small party they themselves fell into an Ambush of the Indians and so were all cut off with two other men also near the place where the first Skirmish was for the Indians from the shore side could discern any that were coming towards them when they were a great way off and so might easily way-lay them before they could come up to them Near upon seven houses were burned about this time and some persons killed at Black point Two persons likewise were killed at Wells in the beginning of the winter one of them were servant to Mr. William Simonds one of the principal men in the Town aforesaid the Gentleman himself with his Family were removed to a Garrison house in the middle of the Town his servant going early in the morning to look after some business there tarryed longer then was needful to provide something for himself the Indians iâ—â—ited themselves to breakfast with him making the poor Fellow pay the shot when they had done with the loss of his life A week after one Cross was slain at Wells likewise who was a kind of a distracted Fellow Also one Isaack Cousins was there killed in the beginning of Winter after there had been some Overtures of peace betwixt Major Waldern and the Indians With such kind of mutual Encounters was the latter part of the year spent betwixt the Indians and the English from Pascataqua River to Kennibeck from the beginning of August to the End of November wherein many were slain on both sides In one place and in another of the English in those parts were slain upward of fifty The Enemy lost as appeared afterward by their own Confession above ninety partly in the foresaid Skirmishes and partly in their joyning with the Indians to the Westward whither it is said many of them were invited to repair to help destroy the English in hope to enjoy their possessions afterwards But God had otherwise determined who did arise at last to save the meek ones of the Earth and plead the Cause of his People The Governour and Counsel of Massachusets had at this time their hands full with the like Attempts of Philip and his Complices to the Westward yet were not unmindful of the deplorable Condition of these Eastern Plantations having committed the care thereof to the Majors of the Respective Regiments of the several Countyes on that side of the Country but more especially to the care and prudence of the Honoured Major D. Denison the Major General of the whole Colony a Gentleman who by his great insight in and long Experience of all Martial Affairs was every way accomplished for the managing that whole Affair He had to ease the other
Black point where was nothing to be expected but an empty Fort and some deserted houses which it seems the Indians had forsaken by that time And besides that other Forces were about the same time ordered to repair thither sufficient for the repairing securing of the place with what else was left remaining from the hands of the Enemy And likewise several Souldiers were ordered to Garrison the Towns thereabouts to prevent them from making any further Assault upon them However they were so far emboldned by the taking of black point and the Ketch at Richmond Island with several Prisoners also which were surprized at the same time That a party of them came the very next week after toward Wells hoping to attain that and all the Towns and places else betwixt Casâ—o Bay and Pascataqua as they had done black point For a party of them under Mugg their chief Leader brought Mr. Shendal along with them to Wells where they summoned the first Garrison at the Towns end To facilitate the business they sent the said Shendal as their Agent or Messenger to move them to surrender without hazarding an onset But the People were not so despondent to yield up the place upon so slight an occasion which when the Enemy discerned they soon drew off after they had done some little mischief to the Inhabitants For first they killed Isaack Litâ—lefield not far from the Garrison It is said they would willingly have had him yield himself Prisoner but he refusing they shot him down yet they were so Civil as to suffer his Friends to fetch away his body without offering any further act of Inhumanity to it or Hostility toward them that fetcht it off An old man called Cross was killed by them likewise about the same time and another Joseph Bigford by name belonging to the Garrison was sorely wounded at that time so as he dyed soon after Thirteen head of â—at Cattle were also killed by them out of which they only for haste took the Tongues leaving the bodies of all the rest whole to the Owners unless it were the Leg of one of them which was also taken away This was all the mischief was done by them after the taking of Black point The Inhabitants of Winter Harbour near adjoyning thereto being alarmed with the surprizal of the other place fled away with their goods for a time till they heard the Enemies were removed farther Eastward and then it was said they returned to their place again In this posture have things in those places remained ever since in those Eastern Plantations betwixt Pascataqua and Casco Bay But our Forces under the Command of Captain Hathorne and Captain Syl having at the last obtained all things necessary for a Winter march into the woods did upon the first of November following set forth toward Ossapy where after four dayes march of very difficult way over many Rivers not easy to pass at that time of the year they arrived but found never an Indian either there or in the way as they marched along The Indians belonging to those parts had not many years before hired some English Traders to build them a Fort for their security against the Mohawks which was built very strong for that purpose fourteen Foot high with Flankers at each corner But at this time the Souldiers intending to disappoint them of their Refuge made Fuel thereof which at that time was very needful for our People who had marched many miles through deep Snow in a very cold Season when they could hardly keep themselves from freezing as they passed along so early in the Winter None of the Enemy being to be found there in their strongest Fort It was not counted worth the while for all the Company to march any farther Wherefore a small party being sent up eighteen or twenty miles farther Northward amongst the woods whereas they passed along they met with many vast Lakes supposed to be the Cause of the sharpness of the cold in that side of the Country making the place scarce habitable for any besides those Salvages that use to hunt thereabouts for Moose in the Winter and Beaver in the Summer a sort of Creatures whose Skins are of more Account than all their bodies But at this time it is supposed they were all gone lower toward the Sea side to share the Spoyls of the English Plantations lately surprized by them which is all the Reward they have met withal who in former years for the sake of a little Lucre by Traffick with them have run themselves there into the very Jaws of destruction either by Irregular dealing with them or by their too much confidence in their deceitful Friendship November the ninth our Forces having spent nine dayes in this Service returned safe to Newechewannick from whence they set forth at the first having run more hazard of their Limbs by the sharpness of the Frost than of their lives by any Assault from their Enemies There was great probability that the designe might have had some good Effect if Mugg a chief Leader of them did not much abuse those he fled unto with a proffer of Peace for he told them that there were about an hundred of them about Ossapy not many dayes before But it becomes us to look beyond second Causes in Events of this nature and conclude that God had raised up these Barbarous Enemies to bring a like Chastisement upon the English in this side of the Country with that which others had endured elsewhere in the end of the former and beginning of this present year Whereas mention was formerly made of a Peace concluded at Boston betwixt the Governour and Council of the Massachusets and Mugg an Eastward Indian in the name of Madockawando chief Sagamore of all the Indians about Pemmaquia and Penobscot which said Mugg was sent from Boston November the 21st with two Vessels to receive the Prisoners there detained by the Indians and also to see the Ratification of the several Articles of the said peace concluded upon Which Articles for the better satisfaction of those that have not been acquainted with them are thouhgt fit here to be Inserted Boston Novemb. the 6th 1676. Covenants and Agreements made and concluded by and between the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL of the Massachusets Colony in New-England of the one part and Mugg Indian in the Name and behalf of Madockawando and Cheberrina Sachems of Penobscot on the other part Witnesseth Impr. WHereas the said Mugg hath been sent imployed by the said Sachems upon a Treaty with the said GOVERNOVR and COVNCIL relating to a Conclusion of Peace doth hereby Covenant and engage for himself and in behalf of the said Sachems that from henceforth they will cease all Acts of Hostility and hold an entire and firm Vnion and Peace with all the English of the Colonyes in New-England 2dly That immediately upon the said Muggs Return the said Sachems shall deliver up unto such English man or men as shall by order of
them went a shore leaving two Indians aboord with the English Skipper After he had got so well rid of them he contrived how to get shut of the other also Therefore he perswaded them that the Vessel would not ride safely in that place so as he prevailed with them to let him go to another Harbour called Damaris Cove two or three Leagues more Eastward In the way as he Sayled he so ordered his steering that sometimes the waves were ready to overrake the Vessel which put his two Indians into a fright so as they made all the hast they could to get a shore as soon as ever they came within the Harbour urging him to go along with them but he pretended a necessary Excuse to stay behind to look after the Vessel but with intent as soon as ever he should see them a shore to boyse Sayle for some English Harbour having no body aboord with him but a small English Child about three â—ears old It seems the Indians had a Child or two of their own dead in the Vessel who dying after they began their Voyage they were the forwarder to go a shore with them for buryal The said Abbot now perceiving he had obtained his purpose for he oft resolved on this Project before first tallowing the Mast with a piece of fat Pork left by the Indians as high as he could reach that he with his own hands might the more easily hoyse the Sayle so choosing rather to cast himself upon the Providence of God in the waters than to trust himself any longer with perfidious Salvages on the dry Land he came safe to Isle of Shoales before the Evening of the next day February the nineteenth Within a few dayes after John Abbot aforesaid made his escape in the Vessel There came an express from Major Waldern that commanded in chief over our Forces sent to Kennibeck to subdue the Indians in those parts deliver the English Captives that have been detained in their hands since August last which giveth this Account of their proceeding February the seventeenth this morning the wind North East soon after South and South West we sate Sayle with our Vessels from Black Point for Portland but on the East-side of Cape Elizabeth we espyed John Pain who was sent out a Scout who brought word the way was clear of Ice and Indians whereupon we steared for Mary Point at the head of Casco Bay and got there this night but too late to get to the Fort before morning February the eighteenth we sent this morning our Scouts out by Land who returning about eight of the Clock brought word they espyed the Tracts of three Indians and found a Birch Canoo at Muckquitt about four miles off by which we feared we were discovered the Companyes about four a Clock were drawn forth and just beginning their march when we espyed five Canoos of the Enemy about half a mile off they landed over against us on an Island and holloed to us whereby we perceived they desired a Treaâ—y hoping to gain the Captives we sent John Pain to them they promised him to bring the Captives by morning and desired peace After this John Pain was sent again and stayed among the Indians in the room of Simon who came to the Major he was questioned and Answered as followeth Quest How came you to know we were here Answ We continually kept out our Scouts and Yesterday our Indians left a Canoo at Muckquitt which this day we missed and perceived the English had taken it and our Men that left the Canoo espyed you a a great way off at Portland Quest Why did you break your Covenant with me Answ Blind Will stirred us up to the War here and said he would kill you at Quechecho Simon having said this askt the Major what his business was here to whom it was Answered we came to fetch off the Captives and make War as we see good Simon also told us that the Captives were all well that we should have them by morning that Squando was there and would give the Captives to Major Waldern that they intended peace had sent to Boston before now but that Mugg told them the English would be here shortly The Major upon this dismissed Simon and sent for Squando to which Squando Answered he would meet him half way if he would come alone in a Birch Canoo To this the Major Answered he would not venture himself in our Leakie Canoo and that if he had no more to say the Treaty was ended To this Squando Answered he would be with us again at Ten a Clock and bring the Captives On the Nineteenth Wind North East the weather thick About Noon we discovered a party of Indians in fourteen Canoos about three mile above us in the Bay they landed on a point of Land and burnt one English house and shouted to some of our men that were Scouts challenging them to fight Immediately on the Return of our Scouts we marched against them as secretly as we could upon sight of us they fled but Captain Frost came upon them with his whole body before they were half out of Gun shot in this Skirmish we judged we killed and wounded several of them without any damage yet some of their Bullets hit some of our men For the Captives sake immediately after this we hung out a Flag of Truce and the Enemy did the like John Pain was sent to them to demand the Reason why they fired the house and brake their Promise Simon met him half way and Answered the house was fired Accidentally without Order from Squando that they had sent for the Captives who were a great way off and the foul weather hindred their coming He questioned Iohn Pain also why we fought them while we were in Treaty Pain Answered they brake it themselves in not performing their promise challenging our Souldiers to fight this latter Simon denyed and Answered the other as before Simon told him they had two men wounded and expected satisfaction but also promised the Captives the next day and so left us On the twentieth The wind North East and Snow it was resolved to Sayle for Kennibeck the first fair wind whether we had immediately gone upon our knowledge that we were discovered by the Enemy but that the wind and weather hindred us hitherto February the twenty first this morning the wind North West we set Sayle for Kennibeck and arrived at the Harbours mouth at four a Clock About Sun set we set Sayle up the River and got to the lower end of Arowsick Twenty second we set Sayle this morning but could not get to the head of the River for Ice whereupon we landed our Souldiers about two a Clock about twelve miles off Aboundessit Fort and immediately began our march about eight a Clock at night came to the Fort we found no Indians there we took up our Quarters this night Twenty third we sent out Scouts to discover the march of the Enemy
when he was slain about green River and helped to kill Thomas Bracket at Casco August last And with the help of Lieutenant Nutter according to the Majors Order carryed him a boord while himself searching about farther found three Guns hid in a Cow-house just at hand wherewith he armed the other three men that were with him By this time some of the Souldiers were got a shore and instantly according to their Majors Command pursued the Enemy towards their Canoos In the Chaso several of the Enemies were slain whose bodies they found at their Return to the number of seven amongst whom was Mattahando the Sagamore with an old Powaw to whom the Devil had revealed as sometimes he did to Saul that on the same day he should be with him for he had a little before told the Indians that within two dayes the English would come and kill them all which was at the very same time verified upon himself The body of our men overtook them before they all recovered their Canoos so as without doubt divers others of them were slain likewise for they sunke a Canoo wherein were five drowned before their Eyes and many others were not able to paddle four they took Prisoners whom they brought away with them There being about five and twenty of the Indians present at this Encounter Much more damage might have been done by our men upon the Enemy if they had known the ready way to their Canoos but the Indians having prepared all things ready for flight in Case as well as for fight the more easily made their escape One of the Captives taken was Madockawando's Sister who was Entertained very Courteously by the Commander in chief and had been carryed forth with to her brother in hope by her means to have gained the better Tearms for our remaining English Captives but it was certainly known that he was gone from home upon an Hunting Designe and not to return in two Months The English took much Plunder from the Indians about a thousand weight of dried Beef with other things Megunnaway was shot to Death the same day or the next so as Justice is by degrees pursuing those perfidious Villains and one after another they are brought under the Wheel of Destruction Simon that Arch Traytor seems as is said by his Consumptive looks to have received the Sentence of Death which may bring him into the same place or State with the rest Feb. 28th they set Sayle for Shipscot but the wind failing they were put in at Kennibeck from whence Captain Fisk with forty men were sent to the said place to seek after Plunder where they found between thirty and forty Bushels of good wheat which they brought away with them several other things they lighted upon here and there some of which were brought away As one or two great Guns and some Anchors from Saga de Hock Boards from Arowsick where they found an hundred thousand Foot of which they brought home enough for the lading of their Vessels leaving the rest to be Transported in a more convenient Season While our Souldiers were upon Arowsick two of the Enemy chancing to come upon the place one of them presently received his Reward the other received his Payment which yet is supposed to amount to the whole The Canoo wherein he seemed to escape being found the next day all bloody and split asunder March the first one of the Indian Squaws a Captive was sent to Taâ—anet Fort with a Message to the Sagamores to Treat for the rest of the Captives Five dayes were given her for her Return which were not expired when Major Waldern with most of the Souldiers were called to return home towards Boston where they arrived March the eleventh 1676. 77. having first put in at Portsmouth Bringing along with them the bones or rather the body of Captain Lake preserven entire and whole and free from putrefaction by the coldness of the long winter so as it was when found by the discretion of one that was near him when he was slain easily discerned to be his by such as bad known him before It is hoped by those that returned the Enemies are by this Encounter of the English so scattered and broken that they will not be able to rally again suddenly or make any after Attempt if the present Advantage be seriously pursued And thus have our Enemies themselves many of them fallen into the pit which they have been digging for others This day also Letters were received from Major Pinchon of Springfield but without mention of any appearance of Enemies in that Quarter whereby we are encouraged to believe that they have stumbled and fallen down backward so as they shall never rise any more to make farther disturbance That which crowned the present Service was the performing it without loss of blood They all returning home in safety not any one being missed Let them accordingly remember to pay a suitable Tribute of Thankfulness to him under whose Banner they went forth and returned in Safety And say with Moses the Servant of the Lord JEHOVAH NISSI TO this Issue were our Troubles with the Indians brought in the end of the year 1676. That which hath been already said in that kind may serve to give an Account of the Murthers Slaughters Captivities of several persons of the English Inhabitants of New-England together with the burning and spoyling of divers of their Villages and houses spoyling of their Estates by those their perfidious and barbarous Enemies That which remains is only to satisfie the Inquisitive Reader about some other particulars which have a Relation unto or dependance upon the former as to shew what may be the principal and leading Causes Civil or moral of those strange Successes of the Indians in some of their first Encounters with the English there what presages or other ominous Accidents were observed aforehand what assistance they received from other Forreign Nations French or Dutch what is since become of those Indians that were the Authors of the foresaid mischiefs what progress Christian Religion hath already made or is like furtherto make amongst the rest all which may serve as an Epilogue to the Tragical History foregoing It is no doubt but that as sometimes was said of the Divisions of Reubin there have been and are great thoughts of heart amongst them that wish well to this poor Country for the Calamities that of late have here fallen out every one taking occasion to put that Construction upon what hath hapned which suits best with his own understanding and humour Possibly those that live at a distance have made many uncertain guesses at things which have passed here For those that lived upon the place have very sad Apprehensions both concerning the Rise and Issue of them In a matter therefore of so much difficulty to give the best account we can of the things under debate It cannot be denyed but that things ever since the planting of these Colonies of New-England they have
before Concerning which the Judicious Reader may take what notice he pleaseth Although I would not be too forward in obtruding uncertain Reports upon the belief of the far distant Reader especially considering how much the world hath oft been abused with false Coyne of the like nature But for other predictions of the present Calamities some wise men have thought it not unworthy to be communicated to Posterity what hath been observed amongst the Indians themselves as if either God himself had left some Impression on the minds of some of them this way or that by some strange Instinct or other they had some Reason to forbode the Troubles now begun although not yet ended sed dabit Deus his quoque finem in his own time There was within the Compass of the last seven years now current a Sagamore about Kiâ—tary or the North-East side of Pascataqua River called Roules or Rolles who lying very sick and bed rid being an old man he expected some of the English that had seazed upon his Land should have shewn him that Civility as to have given him a visit in his Aged Infirmityes and sickness It matters not much whether it was totally neglected or not to be sure at the last he sent for the chief of the Town and desired a favour of them viz. that though he might as he said challenge all the Plantation for his own where they dwelt that yet they would please to sell or give him a small Tract of Land possibly an hundred or two of Acres and withal desired it might be Recorded in the Town Book as a publick Act that so his Children which he left behind might not be turned out like Vagabonds as destitute of an habitation amongst or near the English adding this as the Reason That he knew there would shortly fall out a War between the Indians and the English all over the Country and that the Indians at the first should prevail and do much mischief to the English and kill many of them But after the third year or after three years all the Indians which so did should be rooted out and utterly destroyed This Story is reported by Major Waldern Mr. Joshuah Moodey Captain Frost that live upon or near the place And one of the three forementioned persons was desired by the said Sagamore to make a Record hereof Valeat quantum valere potest aut debet Many Stories of like nature are confidently told by such as have been more conversant with the Indians which shewed that either the Conspiracy was a long while in Contriving or else that some Impression was by a Divine hand made upon the minds of some of them For the actings of our Neighbour Nations round about us whether they have had actually any hand in our Sufferings either instigating of our Enemies or secretly and underhand supplying them with necessaries where with to carry on their designe against us without whose Assistance it is supposed they could hardly thus long have held out It is no question but there are those in the world that say Aha at the Calamities of our Sion and that like Edom in Jerusalems day cry Rase it Rase it even to the Foundation thereof But for our near Neighbours whether Dutch or French their designe in their several Plantations being solely or principally Trade and knowing that as formerly they had so may they still have more benefit and Advantage by our Commerce and Traffick than by our Ruine it seems therefore not so probable that they should promote or designe such a wicked end to themselves much less that they should joyne with Pagan Infidels therein more Charity we judge is due to them that profess the Christian Name whatever Errour or Superstition their Religion or worship may be blinded with We may well conceive that either of them would not be much unwilling to part with any thing they have to sell for Beaver nor would they very scrupulously enquire what the Indians do with their Powder provided they could get their pay for it no more than the Cutler did to know as the Tale goes what the Cutpurse did with the knife he made him But that purposely either of them have furnished our Enemies with means to do us mischief we are not forward to believe As for the French at Cannada they live at too great a distance to have much Commerce with our Enemies And besides they are not themselves so secure of the Indians they deal with as to be forward to â—et them against others least thereby they come to learn the way to fall upon themselves And besides it hath been affirmed by some of their own Nation that not long since were there and passed home this way that they are more affraid of Attempts from hence than we have cause to be from them Other Reports possibly have been taken up concerning us as if we were divided in our Counsels and were too tenacious of our goods and readier to keep them for our Enemies than prudently to lay out what was necessary for our own defence and preservation no question but many such Rumours as these have taken place in the mâ—nds of some But it is hoped that such as are wise and serious will not give too much to sinister Report till they are rightly enformed Greater Vnity of minds in things of such a nature hath seldome been found amongst men that might all along have been observed here If in any thing propounded for the better carrying on the war against the Indians there hath been some difference of apprehension either from the seeming Impossibility and Arduousness of the Attempt or difficulty of the Season it never occasioned the least Remora of the Action though in things of the greatest moment Nor was there ever any difficulty in the disbursing what was necessary for carrying on the Affairs of the War how chargeable soever and Expensive it hath been found The scarcity of Coyne hath occasioned a little Trouble in some present Exigent otherwise no Reason hath been given of any just complaint this way But it being the usual Lot of them that are most sorely afflicted of God to be most deeply censured of men but we must expect to pass through Evil as well as good Report Possibly a so some may here take notice of a very distinguishing Providence in these our late Troubles in that this Rod of Affliction hath seemed not to ly in an equal proportion upon the body of the people of New-England which is no new thing to observe in Calamities of this nature wherein it is very ordinary for those parts of a Country that lye next boraering upon the Coast of the common Enemy to be most obnoxious to their Incursions and to be more frequently than others harnessed thereby As hath been the Case of us here in these parts of the Earth ever since the first planting thereof The great numbers of the Salvages being swept away by some unusual mortality in all those places where the