That the English might be enabled to fight, Captain Mason soon hired the Indians to carry the wounded men and their arms. The English killed several of the ene my while they pursued them, but sustained no loss themselves. When they killed a Pequot, the other Indians would shout, run, and fetch his head. At length the enemy, finding that they could make no impression upon the army, and that wounds and death attended their attempts, gave over the pursuit.

The army then marched to the harbour, with their colours flying, and were received on board the vessels, with great mutual joy and congratulation,

In about three weeks from the time the men embarked at Hartford, they returned again to their respective habitations. They were received with the greatest exultation. As the people had been deeply affected with their danger, and full of anxiety for their friends, while nearly half the effective men in the colony were in service, upon so hazardous an enterprise, so sudden a change, in the great victory obtained, and in the safe return of so many of their children and neighbours, filled them with exceeding joy and thankfulness. Every family, and every worshipping assembly, spoke the language of praise and thanksgiving.

Several circumstances attending this enterprise were much noticed by the soldiers themselves, and especially by all the pious people. It was considered as very providential, that the army should march nearly forty miles, and a considerable part of it in the enemy's country, and not be discovered until the moment they were ready to commence the attack. It was judged remarkable, that the vessels should come into the harbour at the very hour in which they were most needed. *

The life of Captain Mason was very signally preserved. As he entered a wigwam for fire to burn the fort, an Indian was drawing an arrow to the very head, and would have killed him instantly; but Davis, one of his sergeants, cut the bow-string with his cutlass, and prevented the fatal shot. Lieutenant Bull received an arrow into a hard piece of cheese, which he had in his clothes, and by it was saved harmless. Two soldiers, John Dyer and Thomas Stiles, both servants of one man, were shot in the

knots of their neckcloths, and by them preserved from instant death.

Few enterprises have ever been achieved with more personal bravery or good conduct. In few instances have so great a proportion of the effective men of a whole colony, state, or nation, been put to so great and immediate danger. In few have a people been so deeply and immediately interested, as the whole colony of Connecti cut was in this, in that uncommon crisis. In these respects, even the great armaments and battles of Europe, are, comparatively, of little importance. In this, under the divine conduct, by seventy-seven brave men, Connecticut was saved, and the most warlike and terrible Indian nation in New-England, defeated and ruined.

The body of the Pequots, returning from the pursuit of Captain Mason, repaired to Sassacus, at the royal fortress, and related the doleful story of their misfortunes. They charged them all to his haughtiness and misconduct, and threatened him, and his, with immediate destruction. His friends and chief counsellors interceded for him; and, at their entreaty, his men spared his life. Then, upon consultation, they concluded that they could not, with safety, remain any longer in the country. They were, indeed, so panic struck, that, burning their wigwams, and destroying their fort, they fled and scattered into various parts of the country. Sassacus, Mononotto, and seventy or eighty of their chief counsellors and warriors, took their route towards Hudson's river.

Just before Captain Mason went out upon the expedi tion againt the Pequots, the Dutch performed a very neighbourly office for Connecticut. The two maids, who had been captivated at Wethersfield, had, through the humanity and mediation of Mononotto's squaw, been spared from death, and kindly treated. The Dutch governor, receiving intelligence of their circumstances, determined to redeem them at any rate, and despatched a sloop to Pequot harbour for that purpose. Upon its arrival, the Dutch made large offers for their redemption, but the Pe quots would not accept them. Finally, as the Dutch had a number of Pequots on board, whom they had taken, and finding that they could do no better, they offered the Pe

quots six of their own men for the two maids. These they accepted, and the Dutch delivered the young women at Saybrook, just before Captain Mason and his party arrived. Of them he received particular information respecting the enemy.

An Indian runner, despatched by Mr. Williams, at Providence, soon carried the news of the success of Connecticut against the Pequots, to the Governor of Massachusetts. The governor and his council, judging that the Pequots had received a capital blow, sent forward but a hundred and twenty men. These were commanded by Mr. Stoughton, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Boston, was sent as his chaplain.

This party arrived at Pequot harbour the latter part of June. By the assistance of the Narraganset Indians, the party under Captain Stoughton surrounded a large body of Pequots in a swamp. They took eighty captives. Thirty were men; the rest were women and children. The men, except two sachems, were killed, but the women and children were saved. The sachems promised to conduct the English to Sassacus, and for that purpose were spared for the present.

The court of Connecticut ordered, that forty men should be raised forthwith for the further prosecution of the war against the Pequots, to be commanded by Captain Mason.

The troops from Connecticut made a junction with the party under the command of Captain Stoughton, at Pequot. Mr. Ludlow, with other principal gentlemen from Connecticut, went also with the army, to advise with re spect to the measures to be adopted in the further prosecution of the war. Upon general consultation, it was concluded to pursue the Pequots, who had fled to the westward. The army marched immediately, and soon discovered the places where the enemy had rendezvoused, at their several removes. As these were not far distant from each other, it appeared that they moved slowly, having their women and children with them. They also were without provisions, and were obliged to dig for clams, and to range the groves for such articles as they afforded.

The English found some scattering Pequots, as they scoured the country, whom they captivated, and from

whom they obtained intelligence relative to the Pequots whom they were pursuing. But finding that the sachems, whom they had spared, would give them no information, they beheaded them, on their march, at a place called Menunkatuck, since Guilford; from which circumstance, the spot on which the execution was done, bears the name of Sachem's Head to the present time. In three days, they arrived at New-Haven harbour. The vessels sailed along the shore, while the troops marched by land.

At New-Haven, then called Quinnipiack, a great smoke, at a small distance, was discovered in the woods. The officers supposing that they had now discovered the enemy, ordered the army immediately to advance upon them; but were soon informed that they were not in that vicinity. The Connecticut Indians had kindled the fires whence the smoke arose. The troops soon embarked on board the vessels. After staying several days at New-Haven, the officers received intelligence from a Pequot, whom they had previously sent to make discovery, that the enemy were at a considerable distance, in a great swamp, to the westward. Upon this information, the army marched with all possible despatch to a great swamp in Fairfield, where were eighty or a hundred Pequot warriors, and nearly two hundred other Indians.

The swamp was such a thicket, so deep and boggy, that it was difficult to enter it, or make any movement without sinking in the mire. Lieutenant Davenport, and others, rushing eagerly into it, were sorely wounded, and several were soon so deep in the mud, that they could not get out - without assistance. The enemy pressed them so hard, that they were just ready to seize them by the hair of their head. A number of brave men were obliged to rescue them sword in hand. Some of the Indians were slain, and the men were drawn out of the mire. The swamp was surrounded, and after a considerable skirmish, the Indians desired a parley.

As the officers were not willing to make a promiscuous destruction of men, women, and children, and as the sachem and Indians of the vicinity had fled into the swamp, though they had done the colonies no injury, a parley was granted. Thomas Stanton, a man well acquainted with

the manners and language of the Indians, was sent to treat with them. He was authorized to offer life to all the Indians who had shed no English blood. Upon this offer, the sachem of the place came out to the English, and one company of old men, women, and children, after another, to the number of about two hundred.

The sachem of the place, declared for himself and his Indians, that they had never shed the blood of the English, nor done them any harm. But the Pequot warriors had too great a spirit to accept of the offer of life, declaring, that they would fight it out. They shot their arrows at Stanton, and pressed so hard upon him, that the soldiers were obliged to fly to his rescue. The fight was then re newed, the soldiers firing upon them whenever an opportunity presented. But by reason of an unhappy division among the officers, a great part of the enemy escaped. Some were for forcing the swamp immediately, but this was opposed, as too dangerous. Others were for cutting it down, as they had taken many hatchets, with which they were of the opinion it might be effected. Some others were for making a pallisado and hedge around it, but nei ther of these measures could be adopted.

As night came on, the English cut through a narrow part of it, by which the circumference was greatly les sened; so that the soldiers, at twelve feet distance from? each other, were able completely to compass the enemy. In this manner they enclosed and watched them until it was nearly morning. A thick fog arose just before day, and it became exceedingly dark. At this juncture, the Indians took the opportunity to break through the Eng lish. They made their first attempt upon Captain Patrick's quarters, yelling in their hideous manner, and pressing on with violence, but they were several times driven back. As the noise and tumult of war increased, Captain Mason sent a party to assist Captain Patrick. Captain Trask also marched to reinforce him.

As the battle greatly increased, the siege broke up Captain Mason marched to give assistance in the action Advancing to the turn of the swamp, he found that the enemy were pressing out upon him; but he gave them so warm a reception, that they were soon glad to retire.