IN the Year 1674. Mr. Benjamin Church of Duxbury being providentially at Plymouth in the time of the Court, fell into acquaintance with Capt. John Almy of Rhode-Iſland. Capt. Almy with great importunity invited him to ride with him, and view that part of Plymouth Colony that lay next to Rhode-Iſland, known then by their Indian Names of Pocaſſet & Segkonate. Among other arguments to perſwade him, he told him, the Soil was very rich, and the Situation pleaſant. Perſwades him by all means, to purchaſe of the Company ſome of the Court grant rights. He accepted his invitation, views the Country, & was pleaſed with it; makes a purchaſe, ſettled a Farm, found the Gentlemen of the Iſland very Civil & obliging. And being himſelf a Perſon of uncommon Activity and Induſtry, he ſoon erected two buildings upon his Farm, and gain'd a good acquaintance with the Natives: got much into their favour, and was in a little time in great eſteem among them.

The next Spring advancing, while Mr. Church was diligently Settling his new Farm, ſtocking, leaſing & diſpoſing of his Affairs, and had a fine proſpect of doing no ſmall things; and hoping that his good ſucceſs would be inviting unto other good Men to become his Neighbours; Behold! the rumour of a War between the Engliſh and the Natives gave check to his projects. People began to be very jealous of the Indians, and indeed they had no ſmall reaſon to ſuſpect that they had form'd a deſign of War upon the Engliſh. Mr. Church had it daily ſuggeſted to him that the Indians were plotting a bloody deſign. That Philip the great Mount-hope Sachem was Leader therein: and ſo it prov'd, he was ſending his Meſſengers to all the Neighbouring Sachem:, to ingage them in a Confederacy with him in the War.

Among the reft he ſent Six Men to Awaſhonks Squaw-Sachem of the Segkonate Indians, to engage her in his Intereſts: Awaſhonks ſo far liſtened unto them as to call her Subjects together, to make a great Dance, which is the cuſtom of that Nation when they adviſe about Momentous Affairs. But what does Awaſhonks do, but ſends away two of her Men that well underſtood the Engliſh Language (Saſſamon and George by Name) to invite Mr. Church to the Dance. Mr. Church upon the Invitation, immediately takes with him Charles Hazelton his Tennants Son, who well underſtood 〈…〉 Language, and rid down to the Place appointed: Where they found hundreds of Indians gathered together from all Parts of her Dominion. Awaſhonks her ſelf in a foaming Sweat was leading the Dance. But ſhe was no ſooner ſenſible of Mr. Churches arrival, but ſhe broke off, ſat down, calls her Nobles round her, orders Mr. Church to be invited into her preſence. Complements being paſt, and each one taking Seats. She told him, King Philip had ſent Six Men of his with two of her People that had been over at Mount-hope, to draw her into a confederacy with him in a War with the Engliſh. Deſiring him to give her his advice in the caſe, and to tell her the Truth whether the Umpame Men (as Philip had told her) were gathering a great Army to invade Philips Country. He aſſured her he would tell her the Truth, and give her his beſt advice. Then he told her twas but a few days ſince he came from Plymouth, and the Engliſh were then making no Preparations for War; That he was in Company with the Principal Gentlemen of the Government, who had no Diſcourſe at all about War; and he believ'd no tho'ts about it. He ask'd her whether ſhe tho't he would have brought up his Goods to Settle in that Place, if he apprehended an entering into War with ſo near a Neighbour. She ſeem'd to be ſome what convin'd by his talk, and ſaid ſhe believ'd he ſpoke the Truth.

Then ſhe called for the Mount-hope Men: Who made a formidable appearance, with their Faces Painted, and their Hair Trim'd up in Com • faſhion, with their Powder-horns, and Shot-bags at their backs; which among that Nation is the poſture and figure of preparedneſs for War. She told Mr. Church, theſe were the Perſons that had brought her the Report of the Engliſh preparation for War: And then told them what Mr. Church had ſaid in anſwer to it.

Upon this began a warm talk among the Indians, but 'twas ſoon quaſh'd, and Awaſhonks proceeded to tell Mr. Church, that Philips Meſſage to her was, that unleſs ſhe would forth-with enter into a confederacy with him in a War againſt the Engliſh, he would ſend his Men over primely, to kill the Engliſh Cattel, and burn their Houſes on that ſide the River, which would provoke the Engliſh to fall upon her, whom they would without doubt ſuppoſe the author of the Miſchief. Mr. Church told her he was ſorry to ſee ſo threatning an aſpect of Affairs; and ſteping to the Mount-hopes, he felt of their bags, and finding them filled with Bullets, ask'd them what thoſe Bullets were for: They ſcoffingly reply'd to ſhoot Pigeons with.

Then Mr. Church turn'd to Awaſhonks, and told her if Philip were reſolv'd to make War, her beſt way would be to knock thoſe Six Mount-hopes 〈◊〉 head, and ſhelter her ſelf under the Protection of the Engliſh: upon which the Mount-bopes were for the preſent Dumb. But thoſe two of Awaſhonks Men who had been at Mount-hope expreſs'd themſelves in a furious manner againſt his advice. And Little Eyes one of the Queens Council joyn'd with them, and urged Mr. Church to go aſide with him among the buſhes that he might have ſome private Diſcourſe with him, which other Indians immediately forbid being ſenſible of his ill deſign: but the Indians began to ſide and grow very warm. Mr. Church with undaunted Courage told the Mount-hopes they were bloody wretches, and thirſted after the blood of their Engliſh Neighbours, who had never injur'd them, but had always abounded in their kindneſs to them. That for his own part, tho' he deſired nothing more than Peace, yet if nothing but Was would ſatisfie them, he believed he ſhould prove a ſharp thorne in their ſides; Bid the Company obſerve thoſe Men that were of ſuch bloody diſpoſitions, whether Providence would ſuffer them to Live to ſee the event of the War, which others more Peaceably diſpoſed might do.

Then he told Awaſhonks he thought it might be moſt adviſable for her to ſend to the Governour of Plymouth, and ſhelter her ſelf, and People under his Protection. She lik'd his advice, and deſired him to go on her behalf to the Plymouth Government, which he conſented to: And at parting adviſed her what ever ſhe did, not to deſert the Engliſh Intereſt, to joyn with her Neighbours in a Rebellion which would certainly prove fatal to her. [He mov'd none of his Goods from his Houſe that there might not be the leaſt umbrage from ſuch an Action.] She thank'd him for his advice, and ſent two of her Men to guard him to his Houſe; which when they came here, urged him to take care to ſecure his Goods, which he refuſed for the reaſons before mentioned. But deſired the Indians, that if what they feared, ſhould happen, they would take care of what he left, and directed them to a Place in the woods where they ſhould diſpoſe them; which they faith- • elly obſerved.

He took his leave of his guard, and bid them tell their Miſtreſs, if ſhe continued ſteady in her dependence on the Engliſh, and kept within her own limits of Sogkonats, he would ſee her again quickly; and then haſtned away to Pocaſſet, where he met with Peter Nunnui • , the Husband of the Queen of Pocaſſet, who was juſt then come over in a Canoo from Mount-hope. Peter told him that there would certainly be War; for Philip had held a Dance of ſeveral Weeks continuance, and had entertain'd the Young Men from all Parts of the Country: And added the Philip expected to be ſent for to Plymouth to be examined about Saſamon's death, who was Murder'd at Aſſawomſet-Ponds; knowing himſelf guilty of contriving that Murder. The ſame Peter told him that he ſaw Mr. James Brown of Swanzey, and Mr. Samuel Gorton who was an Interpreter, and two other Men who brought a Letter from the Governour of Plymouth to Philip. He obſerv'd to him further, that the Young Men were very eager to begin the War, and would fain have kill'd Mr. Brown, but Philip prevented it; telling them that his Father had charged him to ſhew kindneſs to Mr. Brown. In ſhort, Philip was forc'd to promiſe them that on the next Lords-Day when the Engliſh were gone to Meeting they ſhould rifle their Houſes and from that time forward kill their Cattel.

Peter deſir'd Mr. Church to go and ſee his Wife, who was but up the! • ill; he went and found but few of her People with her. She ſaid they were all gone, againſt her Will to the Dances; and ſhe much fear'd there would be a War. Mr. Church advis'd her to go to the Iſland and ſecure her ſelf, and thoſe that were with her; and ſend to the Governour of Plymouth who ſhe knew was her friend; and ſo left her, reſolving to haſten to Plymouth, and wait on the Governour: and he was ſo expeditious that he was with the Governour early next Morning, tho' he waited on ſome of the Magiſtrates by the way, who were of the Council of War, and alſo met him at the Governours. He gave them an account of his obſervations and diſcoveries, which confirmed their former intelligences, and haſtned their preparation for Defence.

Philip according to his promiſe to his People, permitted them to March out of the Neck on the next Lords-Day, when they plundred the neareſt Houſes that the Inhabitants had deſerted: but as yet offer'd no violence to the People, at leſt none were killed. However the alarm was given by their Numbers, and hoſtile Equipage, and by the Prey they made of what they could find in the forſaken Houſes.

An expreſs came the ſame day to the Governour, who immediately gave orders to the Captains of the Towns to March the greateſt Part of their Companies, and to rand • z • ous at T •••••• , on Monday Night, where Major Bradford was to receive them, and diſpoſe them under Capt (now made Major) Cutwo • th of Si • u • te. The Governour deſired Mr. Church to give them his Company, and to uſe his intereſt in their behalf with the Gentlemen of 〈◊〉 . He comply'd with it, and they March'd the next day. Major 〈◊〉 deſired Mr. Church with a commanded party conſiſting of Engliſh and ſome Friend-Indians. to March in the Front at ſome diſtance from the Main body. Their orders were to keep ſo far before, as not be in ſight of the Army. And ſo they did, for by the way, they killed a Deer, flead, roaſted, and eat the moſt of him before the Army came up, with them. But the Plymouth Forces ſoon arriv'd at Swanzey, and were poſted at Major Browns and Mr. Miles's Garriſons chiefly; and were there ſoon joyned with thoſe that came from Maſſachuſetts, who had entred into a Confederacy with their Plymouth Brethren, againſt the Perfidious Heathen.

The Enemy who began their Hoſtilities with plundring and deſtroying Cattel, did not long content themſelves with that game. They thirſted for Engliſh blood, and they ſoon broach'd it; killing two Men in the way not far from Mr. Miles's Garriſon. And ſoon after, eight more at Mattapiſet: Upon whoſe bodies they exerciſed more than brutiſh barbarities; beheading, diſ-membring and mangling them, and expoſing them in the moſt inhumane manner, which gaſh'd and ghoſtly objects ſtruck a damp on all beholders.

The Enemy fluſh'd with theſe exploits, grew yet bolder, and skulking every where in the buſnes, ſhot at all Paſſengers, and kill'd many that ventured abroad. They came ſo near as to ſhoot down two Sentinels at Mr. Miles's Garriſon, under the very Noſes of moſt of our Forces. Theſe provocations drew out the reſentments of ſome of Capt. Prentices Troop, who deſired they might have liberty to go out and ſeek the Enemy in their own quarters. Quarter Maſters Gill & B • lcher commanded the Parties drawn cut, who earneſtly deſired Mr. Churches company: They provided him a Horſe and Furniture (his own being out of the way) he readily comply'd with their deſires, and was ſoon Mounted.

This party were no ſooner over Miles's Bridge but were fired on by an Ambuſcado of about a dozen Indians, as they were afterwards diſcovered to be. When they drew off the Pilot was Mortally wounded, Mr. Belcher received a ſhot in his knee, and his Horſe was kill'd under him, Mr. Gill was ſtruck with a Musket-ball on the ſide of his belly; but being clad with a buff Coat and ſome thickneſs of Paper under it, it never broke his skin. The Troopers were ſurprized to ſee both their Commanders wounded, and wheel'd off. But Mr. Church perſwaded, at length ſtorm'd and ſtampt, and told them 'twas a ſhame to run, and leave a wounded Man there to become a Prey to the barbarous Enemy. For the Pilot yet ſat his Horſe, tho' ſo maz'd with the Shot, as not to have ſenſe to guide him. Mr. Gill ſeconded him, and offer'd, tho' much diſenabled, to aſſiſt in bringing him of. Mr. Church asked a Stranger who gave them his company in that action, if he would go with him and fetch off the wounded Man: He readily conſented, they with Mr. Gill went, but the wounded Man fainted and fell off his Horſe before they came to him; but Mr. Church and the Stranger diſmounted, took up the Man dead, and laid him before Mr. Gill on his Horſe. Mr. Church told the other two, if they would take care of the dead Man, he would go and fetch his Horſe back, which was going off the Caſſey toward the Enemy; but before he got over the Eaſſey he ſaw the Enemy run to the right into the Neck. He brought back the Horſe, and call'd earneſtly and repeatedly to the Army to come over & ſight the Enemy; and while he Good calling & perſwading, the skulking Enemy return'd to their old ſtand, and all diſcharged their Guns as him at one clap, tho' every ſhot miſ • d him; yet one of the Army on the other ſide of the river received one of the b • lls in his foot. Mr. Church now began (no ſuccour coming to him) to th ••• it time to retreat: Saying, The Lord have Mercy on as, if ſuch a handful of Indians ſhall thus dare ſuch an Army.

Upon this 'twas immediately reſolv'd, and orders were given to March down into the Neck, and having paſſed the Bridge, and Caſſey, the direction was to extend both wings, which being not well headed, by thoſe that remain'd in the Center, ſome of them miſtook their Friends for their Enemies, and made a fire upon them on the right wing, and wounded that noble Heroick Youth Enſign Savage in the thigh; but it happily prov'd but a fleſh wound. They Marched until they came to the narrow of the Neck, at a Place called Koekkamuit, where they took down the heads of Eight Engliſh Men that were kill'd at the head of Metapoiſet-Neck, and for upon Polls, after the barbarous manner of thoſe ſalvages. There Philip had ſtaved all his Drums, and conveyed all his Canoo's to the Eaſt ſide of Metapoiſet-River. Hence it was concluded by thoſe that were acquainted with the Motions of thoſe People, that they had qui • ted the Neck. Mr. Church told • em that Philip was doubtleſs gone ever to Pocaſſet ſide, to ingage thoſe Indians in Rebellion with him: which they ſoon found to be true. The Enemy were not really beaten out of Mount hope Neck, tho' 'twas true they fled from thence; yet it was before any purſu'd them. 'Twas but to ſtrengthen themſelves, and to gain a more advantagious Poſt. However, ſome and not a few pleaſed themſelves with the fancy of a Mighty Conqueſt.

A grand Council was held, and a Reſolve paſt, to build a Fort there to maintain the firſt ground they had gain'd, by the Indians leaving it to them. And to ſpeak the Truth, it muſt be ſaid, That as they gain'd not that Field, by their Sword, nor their Bow; ſo 'twas rather their fear than their courage, that oblig'd them to ſet up the marks of their Conqueſt Mr. Church look'd upon it, and talk of it with contempt, and urged hard the purſuing the Enemy on Pocaſſet ſide, and with the greater earneſtneſs, becauſe of his promiſe made to Awaſhonks, before mentioned. The Council adjourned themſelves from Mount-hope to Reboboth, where Mr. Treaſurer Southworth being weary of his charge of Commiſſ • r General, (Proviſion being ſcarce & difficult to be obtained, for the Army, that now lay ſtill to Cover the People from no body, while they were building a Fort for nothing) retired, and the Power & Trouble of that Poſ • was left with Mr. Church, who ſtill urged the Commanding Officers to more over to Pocaſſet ſide, to purſue the Enemy, and kill Philip, which would in his opinion be more probable to keep poſſeſſion of the Neck, than to tarry to build a Fort. He was ſtill reſtleſs on that ſide of the River, and the rather becauſe of his promiſe to the Squaw Sachem of Segkonate. And Capt. Fuller alſo urged the ſame, until at length there came further order concerning the Fort. And with all, an order for Capt. Fuller with Six files to croſs the River to the ſide ſo much inſiſted on, and to try if he could get Speech with any of the Pocaſſet or Sogkonate Indians, and that Mr. Church ſhould go his Second. Upon the Captains receiving his orders, he ask'd Mr. Church whither he was willing to engage in this interprize: To whom 'twas indeed too agreeable to be declined; tho' he thought the enterprize was hazardous enough, for them to have more Men aſſign'd them. Capt. Fuller told him that for his own part he was grown Ancient and heavy, he feared the travel and fatigue would be too much for him. But Mr. Church urged him, and told him, he would thearfully excuſe him, his hardſhip and travel, and take that part to himſelf, if he might but go; for he had rather do any thing in the World than ſtay there to build the Fort.

Then they drew out the Number aſſigned them and March'd the ſame Night to the Ferry, and were tranſported to Rhode-Iſland, from whence the next Night they got a paſſage over to Pocaſſet-ſide in Rhode-Iſland Boats, and concluded there to diſpoſe themſelves in two Ambuſcado's before day, hoping to ſurprize ſome of the Enemy by their falling into one or other of their Ambuſments. But Capt. Fullers party being troubled with the Epidemical plague of luſt after Tobacco, muſt needs ſtrike fire to Smoke it; and thereby diſcovered themſelves to a party of the Enemy coming up to them, who immediately fled with great preciptation.

This Ambuſcado drew off about break of day, perceiving they were diſcover'd, the other continued in their Poſt until the time aſſigned them, and the light and heat of the Sun rendred their Station both inſignificant and troubleſome, and then return'd, unto the place of Randezvous, where they were acquainted with the other parties diſappointment, and the occaſion of it. Mr. Church calls for the breakfaſt he had ordered to be brought over in the Boat: but the Man that had the charge of it confeſſed that he was a-ſleep when the Boats-men called him, and in haſte came away and never thought of it. It happened that Mr. Church had a few Cakes of Rusk in his Pocket, that Madam Cranſton (the Governour of Rhode-Iſland's Lady) gave him, when he came off the Iſland, which he divided among the Company, which was all the Proviſions they had.

Mr. Church after their ſlender breakfaſt propoſed to Capt. Fuller, That he would March in queſt of the Enemy, with ſuch of the Company as would be willing to March with him; which he complyed with, tho' with a great deal of ſcruple, becauſe of his ſmall Number, & the extream hazard he foreſaw muſt attend them.

But ſome of the Company had reflected upon Mr. Church, that notwithſtanding his talk on the other ſide of the River, he had not ſhewn them any Indians ſince they came over. Which now mov'd him to tell them, That if it was their deſire to ſee Indians, he believ'd he ſhould now ſoon ſhew them what they • hould ſay was enough.

The Number allow'd him ſoon drew off to him, which could not be many, becauſe their whole Company conſiſted of no more than Thirty Six. They mov'd towards Sogkonate, until they came to the brook that runs into N • nn • q ••• q •• Neck, where they diſcovered a freſh and plain Track, which they concluded to be from the great Pine Swamp about a Mile from the Read that leads to Sogkonet. Now ſays Mr. Church to his Men, If we follow this Track no doubt but we ſhall ſoon ſee Indians enough; they expreſs'd their willingneſs to follow the Track, and mov'd in it, but had not gone far before one of them narrowly eſcaped being bit with a Rattle-ſnake: And the Woods that the Track lead them through was haunted much with thoſe Snakes; which the little Company ſeem'd more to be afraid of than the black Serpents they were in queſt of, and therefore bent their courſe another way; to a Place where they thought it probable to find ſome of the Enemy. Had they kept the Track to the Pine Swamp they had been certain of meeting Indians enough; but not ſo certain that any of them ſhould have return'd to give account how many.

Now they paſs'd down into Punkatees Neck; and in their March diſcocovered a large Wigwam full of Indian Truck, which the Souldiers were for loading themſelves with; until Mr. Church forbid it; telling them they might expect ſoon to have their hands full, and buſineſs without caring for Plunder. Then croſſing the head of the Creek into the Neck, they again diſcovered freſh, Indian Tracks, very larely paſs'd before them into the Neck. They then got privately and undiſcovered, unto the Fence of Capt. Almy's Peaſe-field and divided into two Parties, Mr. Church keeping the one Party with himſelf, ſent the other with Lake that was acquainted with the ground, on the other ſide. Two Indians were ſoon diſcovered coming out of the Peaſe-field towards them: When Mr. Church & thoſe that were with him concealed themſelves from them, by falling • lat on the ground: but the other diviſion not uſing the ſame caution were ſeen by the Enemy, which occaſioned them to run; which w •• n Mr. Church perceiv'd, he ſhew' • himſelf to them, and call'd, telling them he deſired but to ſpeak with t ••• , and would not hu •• them. But they run, and Church purſued. Th • Indians c • im'd v ••••• a Fence and one of them facing about diſcharged his •• ece, •• t wi • hont e • fection •• e En •••• One of the Engliſh Souldiers ran up to the • ence and ••• d upon him that •• ad diſcharged his Piece; and they concluded by the ve •• ing they heard that the Indian was wounded; but the Indians ſoon got into the thickets, whence they ſaw them no more for the preſent.

Mr. Church then Marching over a plain piece of Ground where the Woods were very th •• k on one ſide; order'd his little Company to March at double diſtance, to make as big a ſhow (if they ſhould be diſcovered) as might be. But before they ſaw any body, they were Saluted with a Volly of fifty or ſixty Guns; ſome Bullets came very ſurprizingly near Mr. Church, who ſtarting, look'd behind him, to ſee what was become of his Men, expecting to have ſeen half of them dead, but ſeeing them all upon their Leggs and briskly firing at the Smokes of the Enemies Guns, (for that was all that was then to be ſeen) He Bleſs'd God, and called to his Men not to diſcharge all their Guns at o ••• , leſt the F •••• y ſhould take the advantage of ſuch an opportunity to run upon them with their H • tches.

Their next Motion was immediately into the Peaſe field. When they came to the Fence Mr Church •• d as many as had not diſcharg'd their Guns, to clap under the Fence, and lye cloſe, while the other at ſome diſtance in the Field flood to charge; hoping that if the Enemy ſhould creep to the Fence to gain a ſhot at thoſe that were • arging their Guns, they might be ſurprized by thoſe that lay under the Fence. But caſting his Eyes to the ſide of the Hill above them; the hill ſeem'd to move, being covered over with Indians, with their bright Guns glittering in the Sun, and running in a circumference with a deſign to ſurround them.

Seeing ſuch Multitudes ſurrounding him and his little Company; it put him upon thinking what was become of the Boats that were ordered to attend him: And looking up, he ſpy'd them a-ſhore at Sandy-point on the Iſland ſide of the River, with a number of Horſe and Foot by them, and wondred what ſhould be the occaſion; until he was afterwards informed, That the Boats had been over that Morning from the Iſland and had landed a Party of Men at Fogland, that were deſign'd in Punkatees Neck to fetch off ſome Cattel and Horſes, but were Ambuſcado •• , and many of them wounded by the Enemy.

Now our Gentlemans Courage and Conduct were both put to the Teſt, the incourages his Men; and orders ſome to run and take a Wall to ſhelter before the Enemy gain'd it. Twas time for them now to think of eſcaping if they knew which way. Mr. Church orders his Men to ſtrip to their white Shirts, that the Iſlanders might diſcover them to be Engliſh Men; & then orders Three Guns to be fired diſtinct, hoping it might be obſerv'd by their friends on the oppoſite Shore. The Men that were ordered to take the Wall being very hungry, ſtop'd a while among the Peaſe to gather a few, being about four Rod from the Wall; the Enemy from behind it hail'd them with a Shower of Bullets; but ſoon all but one came tumbling over an old hedge down the bank where Mr. Church and the reſt were, and told him that his Brother B. Southworth, who was the Man that was miſſing, was kill'd, that they ſaw him fall; and ſo they did indeed ſee him fall, but 'twas without a Shot, and lay no longer than till he had opportunity to clap a Bullet into one of the Enemies Forehead, and then came running to his Company. The meanneſs of the Engliſh's Powder was now their greateſt misfortune; when they were immediately upon this beſe • with Multitudes of Indians, who poſſeſſed themſelves of every Rock, Stump, Tree, or Fence that was in ſight, firing upon them without ceaſing; while they had no other ſhelter but a ſmall bank & bi • of a water Fence. And yet to add to the diſadvantage of this little handful of diſtreſſed Men; The Indians alſo poſſeſſed themſelves of the Ruines of a Stone-houſe that over look'd them, and of the black Rocks to the Southward of them; ſo that now they had no way to prevent lying quite open to ſome, or other of the Enemy, but to heap up Stones before them, as they did, and ſtill bravely and wonderfully defended themſelves, againſt all the numbers of the Enemy. At length came over one of the Boats from the Iſland Shore, but the Enemy ply'd their Shot ſo warmly to her as made her keep at ſome diſtance; Mr. Church deſired them to ſend their Canoo a-ſhore to fetch them on board; but no perſwaſions, nor arguments could prevail with them to bring their Canoo to ſhore. Which ſome of Mr. Churches Men perceiving, began to cry out, For God's ſake to take them off, for their Ammunition was ſpent, &c. Mr. Church being ſenſible of the danger of the Enemies hearing their Complaints, and being made acquainted with the weakneſs and ſcantineſs of their Ammunition, fiercely called to the Boats-maſter, and bid either ſend his Canoo a-ſhore, or elſe begone preſently, or he would fire upon him.

Away goes the Boat and leaves them ſtill to ſhift for themſelves. But then another difficulty aroſe; the Enemy ſeeing the Boat leave them, were reanimated & fired thicker & faſter than ever; Upon which ſome of the Men that were lighteſt of foot, began to talk of attempting an eſcape by flight: until Mr. Church ſollidly convinc'd them of the impracticableneſs of it; and incouraged them yet, told them, That be had obſerv'd ſo much of the remarkable and wonderful Providence of God hitherto preſerving them, that incouraged him to believe with much confidence th •••• ed would yet preſerve them; that not a b ••• of their head ſhould fall 〈◊〉 ground; bid them be Patient, Couragious and Prudently ſparing of their Ammunition, and be made no doubt but they ſhould come well off yet, &c until his little Army, again reſolve one and all to ſtay with, and ſtick by him. One of them by Mr. Churches order was pitching a flat Stone up an end before him in the Sand, when a Bullet from the Enemy with a full force ſtroke the Stone while he was pitching it an end; which put the poor fellow to a miſerable ſtart, till Mr. Church call'd upon him to obſerve, How God directed the Bullets that the Enemy could not hit him when in the ſame place, yet could hit the Stone as it was erected.

While they were thus making the beſt defence they could againſt their numerous Enemies that made the Woods ring with their conſtant yelling and ſhouting: And Night coming on, ſome body told Mr. Church, they ſpy'd a Sloop up the River as far as Gold-Iſland, that ſeemed to be coming down towards them: He look'd up and told them Succour was now coming, for he believ'd it was Capt. Golding, whom he knew to be a Man for buſineſs; and ••• ld certainly fetch them off, if be came: the Wind being fair, the Veſſel was ſoon with them; and Capt. Golding it was. Mr. Church (as ſoon as they came to Speak one with another) deſired him to come to Aneber at ſuch a diſtance from the Shore that be might veer out his Cable and ride a float, and let ſlip his Cano • that is might drive aſh • re; which directions Capt. Golding obſerv'd, but the Enemy gave him ſuch a warm Salute, that his Sail • , Colour, and Stern were full of Bullet holes.

The Canoo came aſhore, but was ſo ſmall that ſhe would not bare above two Mea at a time; and when two were got aboard, they turn'd her looſe to drive aſhore for two more: and the Sloops company kept the Indians in play the while. But when at laſt it came to Mr. Churches turn to go aboard, he had left his Hat and Cutlaſh at the Well where he went to drink when he fiſt came down; he told his Company, He would never go off and leave his Hat and Cutlaſh for the Indians; they ſhould never have that to reflect upon him. Tho 'he was much diffwaded from it, yet he would go fetch them. He put all the Powder he had left into his Gun (and a poor charge it was) and went preſenting his Gun at the Enemy, until he took up what he went for; at his return be diſcharged his Gun at the Enemy to bid them farewel, for that time; but had not Powder enough to carry the Bullet half way to them.

Two Bullets from the Enemy ſtuck the Canoo as he went on Board, one grazed the hair of his Head a little before; another ſtruck in a ſmall Stake that ſtood right againſt the middle of his Breaſt.

Now this Gentleman with his Army, making in all 20 Men, himſelf, and his Pilot being numbred with them, got all ſafe aboard after Six hours ingagement with 300 Indians; whoſe N • mber we were told afterwards by ſome of themſelves. A deliverance which that good Gentleman often mentions to the Glory of God, and His Protecting Providence. The next day meeting with the reſt of their little Company whom he had left at Pocaſſet, (that had alſo • ſmall skirmiſh with the Indians, and had two Men Wounded) they return'd to the Mount-hope Garriſon; which Mr. Church us'd to call the looſing Fort. Mr. Church then returning to the Iſland to ſeek Proviſion for the Army, meets with Alderman, a noted Indian that was juſt come over from the Squaw Sachem's Cape of Pocaſſet, having deſerted from her, and had brought over his Family: Who gave him an account of the State of the Indians, and where each of the Sagamo • es head quarters were. Mr. Church then diſcours'd with ſome who knew the Spot well where the Indians ſaid Weetamores head quarters were, and offered their Service to Pilot him. With this News he haſtned to the Mount-hope Garriſon. The Army expreſs • d their readineſs to imbrace ſuch an opportunity.

All the ableſt Souldiers were now immediately drawn off equip'd & diſpatch'd upon this deſign, under the Command of a certain Officer: and having March'd about two Miles, viz. until they came to the Cove that lyes S. W. from the Mount, where orders was given for an halt. The Commander in Chief told them he thought it proper to take advice before he went any further; called Mr. Church and the Pilot, and ask'd them. How they knew that Philip and all his Men were not by that time got to Weetamores Camp; or that all her own Men were not by that time return'd to her again? With many more frightful queſtions. Mr. Church cold him, they had acquainted him with as much as they knew, and that for his part be could diſcover n ••• hing that need to diſcourage them from Proceeding, that he thought it ſo practicable, that he with the Pilot would willingly lead the way to the Spot and hazard the brant. But the Chief Commander inſiſted on this, That the Enemies number were ſ • great, and he did not know what numbers more might be added unto them by that time: And his Company ſo ſmall, that he could not think it practicable to attack them. Added moreover, That if be was ſure of killing all the Enemy, and knew that be muſt life the Life of one of his Men in the action, he would not attempt it. Pray Sir, then (Reply'd Mr. Church) Pleaſe to lead your Company to yonder Windmill on Rhode-Iſland, and there they will be out of danger of being kill'd by the Enemy, and we ſhall have leſs trouble to ſupply them with Proviſions. But return he would, and did, unto the Garriſon until more ſtrength came to them: And a Sloop to tranſport them to the Fall River, in order to viſit Weetamores Camp. Mr. Church, one Baxter and Capt. Hunter an Indian, profer'd to go out on the diſcovery on the left Wing; which was accepted; they had not March'd above a quarter of a Mile before they ſtarted Three of the Enemy. Capt, Hunter wounded one of them in his knee, whom when he came up he diſcovered to be his near kinſman; the Captive deſired favour for his Squaw, if ſhe ſhould fall into their hands, but ask'd none for himſelf, excepting the liberty of taking a Whiff of Tobacco, and while he was taking his Whiff, his kinſman with one blow of his Hatchet diſpatch'd him. Proceeding to Weetamores Camp, they were diſcover'd by one of the Enemy, who ran in and gave Information; upon which a luſty Young Fellow leſt his Meat upon his Spit, running ha •• ily out told his companions, he would kill an Engliſh man before he eat his dinner: but fail'd of his deſign, being no ſooner out but ſhot down. The Enemies ſires, and what ſhelter they had was by the Edge of a thick Cedar Swamp, into which on this Alarm they betook themſelves; and the Engliſh as nimbly purſued; but were ſoon commanded back by their Chieftain after they were come within hearing of the Crys of their Women, and Children, and ſo ended that Exploit. But returning to their Sloop the Enemy purſued them and wounded two of their Alen. The next day return'd to the Mount-hope Garriſon.

Soon after this, was Philips head Quarters viſited by ſome other Engliſh Forces; but Philip and his gang had the very fortune to eſcape that Weetamore and hers (but now mentioned) had: they took into a Swamp and their purſuers were commanded back. After this Dartmouths diſtreſſes required Succour, great Part of the Town being laid deſolate, and many of the Inhabitants kill'd; the moſt of Plymouth Forces were order'd thither: And coming to Ruſſels Garriſon at Poneganſet, they met with a Number of the Enemy that had ſurrendred themſelves Priſoners on terms promiſed by Capt. Eels of the Garriſon; and Ralph Earl that perſwaded them (by a friend Indian he had employed) to come in. And had their promiſes to the Indians been kept, and the Indians farely treated, 'tis probable that moſt if not all the Indians in thoſe Parts, had ſoon followed the Example of thoſe that had now ſurrendred themſelves; which would have been a good ſtep towards finiſhing the War. But in ſpite of all that Capt. E • ls, Church, or Earl could ſay, argue, plead, or beg, ſome body elſe that had more Power in their hands improv'd it; and without any regard to the promiſes made them on their ſurrendring themſelves, they were carry'd away to Plymouth, there ſold, and tranſported out of the Country; being about Eight-ſcore Perſons. An action ſo hateful to Mr. Church, that he oppos'd it to the loſs of the good will and Reſpects of ſome that before were his good Friends. But while theſe things were acting at Dartmouth, Philip made his eſcape, leaving his Country, fled over Taunton-River, and Reboboth-Plain, and Petuxet-River, where Capt Edmunds of Providence made ſome ſpoil upon; and had probably done more, but was prevented by the coming up of a Superiour Officer, that put him by. And now another Fort was built at Pocaſſet, that prov'd a troubleſome and chargeable as that at Mount-hope; and the remainder of the Summer was improv'd in providing for the Forts and Forces there maintained, while our Enemies were fled ſome hundreds of Miles into the Country, near as far as Albany. And now ſtrong Suſpicions began to ariſe of the Narraganſet Indians, that they were ill affected, and deſigned miſchief; and ſo the event ſoon diſcovered. The next Winter they began their Hoſtilities, upon the Engliſh. The United Colonies then agreed to ſent an Army to ſuppreſs them: Governour Winſlow to command the Army. He undertaking the Expedition invited Mr. Church to command a Company in the Expedition; which he declin'd, craving excuſe from taking Commiſſion, he promiſed to wait upon him as a Reformado thro' the Expedition. Having rid with the General to Boſton, and from thence to Reboboth. Upon the Generals requeſt he went thence the neareſt way over the Ferries, with Major Smith to his Garriſon in the Narraganſet Country, to prepare and provide for the coming of General Winſlow; who March'd round thro' the Country with his Army propoſing by Night to ſurprize P • mham a certain Narraganſet Sachem) and his Town; but being aware of the approach of our Army made their eſcape into the deſarts. But Mr. Church meeting with fair Winds arriv'd ſafe at the Major's Garriſon in the evening. And ſoon began to inquire after the Enemies Reſorts, Wigwams or Sleeping Places; and having gain'd ſome intelligence, he propoſed to the Eldriges, and ſome other brisk hands, that he met with, to attempt the Surprizing of ſome of the Enemy to make a Preſent of to the General, when he ſhould arrive: which might advantage his deſign; being brisk blades, they readily comply'd with the motion, and were ſoor upon their March. The Night was very cold, but bleſs'd with the Moon; before the day broke they effected their exploit, and by the riſing of the Sun arrived at the Major's Garriſon, where they met the General and preſented him with Eighteen of the Enemy they had Captiv'd. The General pleas'd with the exploit, gave them thanks, particularly to Mr. Church, the mover and chief actor of the buſineſs; and ſending two of them (likely Boys) a preſent to Boſton; ſmiling on Mr. Church, told him, That he made no doubt but his Faculty would ſupply them with Indian Boys enough before the War was ended.

Their next move was to a Swamp which the Indians had Fortifyed with a Fort. Mr. Church rid in the Generals guard when the bloudy ingagement began; but being impatient of being out of the heat of the action, importunately beg'd leave of the General that he might run down to the aſſiſtance of his friends, the General yielded to his requeſt, provided he could rally ſome hands to go with him. Thirty Men immediately drew out and followed him: They entred the Swamp and paſſed over the Log, that was the paſſage into the Fort, where they ſaw many Men and ſeveral Valiant Captains lye ſlain: Mr. Church ſpying Capt. Gardner of Salem amidſt the Wigwams in the Eaſt end of the Fort, made towards him, but on a ſudden, while they were looking each other in the Face, Capt. Gardner ſettled down, Mr. Church ſtep'd to him and ſeeing the blood run down his cheek lifted up his Cap and calling him by his Name; he look'd up in his Face, but ſpoke not a Word, being Mortally Shot thro' the head; and obſerving his Wound, Mr. Church found the ball entred his head on the ſide that was next the Upland, where the Engliſh entred the Swamp. Upon which, having ordered ſome care to be taken of the Captain, he diſpatch'd information to the General that the beſt and forwardeſt of his Army that hazarded their lives to enter the Fort, upon the muzzle of the Enemies Guns, were Shot in their backs, and kill'd by them that lay behind. Mr. Church with his ſmall Company haſten'd out of the Fort (that the Engliſh were now poſſeſſed of) to get a Shot at the Indians that were in the Swamp, & kept firing upon them. He ſoon met with a broad bloody track, where the Enemy had fled with their Wounded men; following hard in the tract, he ſoon ſpy'd one of the Enemy, who clap'd his Gun a-croſs his breaſt, made towards Mr. Church, and beckned to him with his hand; Mr. Church immediately commanded no Man to hurt him, hoping by him to have gain'd ſome intelligence of the Enemy, that might be of advantage; but it unhappily fell out that a Fellow that had lag'd behind coming up, ſhot down the Indian, to Mr. Church's great grief and diſappointment. But immediately they heard a great ſhout of the Enemy, which ſeem'd to be behind them, or between them and the Fort; and diſcover'd them running from tree to tree to gain advantages of firing upon the Engliſh that were in the Fort. Mr. Churches great difficulty now was how to diſcover himſelf to his Friends in the Fort, uſing ſeveral inventions, till at length gain'd an opportunity to call to, and inform a Serjeant in the Fort, that he was there, and might be expoſed to their Shots, unleſs they obſerv'd it. By this time he diſcovered a number of the Enemy almoſt within Shot of him, making towards the Fort; Mr. Church and his Company were favoured by a heap of bruſh that was between them and the Enemy, and prevented their being diſcover'd to them. Mr. Church had given his Men their particular orders for firing upon the Enemy; and as they were riſing up to make their Shot, the afore mentioned Serjeant in the Fort called out to them, for God's ſake not to fire, for be believed they were ſome of their Friend Indians; they clap'd down again, but were ſoon ſenſible of the Serjeants miſtake. The Enemy got to the top of the Tree, the body whereof the Serjeant ſtood upon, and there clap'd down out of ſight of the Fort, but all this while never diſcovered Mr. Church, who obſerved them to keep gathering unto that Place, until there ſeem'd to be a formidable black heap of them. Now brave boys (ſaid Mr. Church to his Men) if we mind our bits, we may have a brave Shot, and let our ſign for firing on them, be their riſing up to fire into the Fort. It was not long before the Indians riſing up as one body, deſigning to pour a Volley into the Fort. When our Church nimbly ſtarted up and gave them ſuch a round Volley, and unexpected clap on their backs, that they who eſcaped with their Lives, were ſo ſurprized, that they ſcampered, they knew not whether themſelves; about a dozen of them ran right over the Log into the Fort, and took into a ſort of a Hovel that was build with Poles, after the manner of a corn crib. Mr. Church's Men having their Catteridges fix'd, were ſoon ready to obey his order, which was immediately to charge and run on upon the Hovel, and over-ſet it, calling as he run on to ſome that were in the Fort to aſſiſt him in over-ſetting of it; they no ſooner came to Face the Enemies ſhelter, but Mr. Church diſcover'd that one of them had found a hole to point his Gun through, right at him; but however incouraged his Company, and ran right on, till he was ſtruck with Three Bullets, one in his Thigh, which was near half of it cut off as it glanced on the joynt of the Hip-bone; another thro' the gatherings of his Breeches and Draws, with a ſmall fleſh Wound; a third peirced his Pocket, and wounded a pair of Mittins, that he had borrowed of Capt. Prentice; being wrap'd up together had the miſfortune of having many holes cut thro' them with one Bullet: But however he made ſhift to keep on his Legs, and nimbly diſcharged his Gun 〈◊〉 them that wounded him: being diſinabled now to go a ſtep his Men would have carried him off, but he forbid their touching of him, until they had perfected their project of over-ſetting the Enemies ſhelter; bid them run, for now the Indians bad no Cuns charged. While he was urging them to run on, the Indians began to ſhoot Arrows, and with one peirc'd thro' the Arm of an Engliſh Man that had hold of Mr. Churches Arm to ſupport him. The Engliſh, in ſhort, were diſcourag'd, and drew back. And by this time the Engliſh People in the Fort had began to ſet fire to the Wigwams & Houſes in the 〈◊〉 , which Mr. Church laboured hard to prevent; they told him, They had orders from the General to burn them; he beg'd them to forbear until he had diſcours'd the General; and haſtning to him, be beg'd to ſpare the Wigwams, &c. in the Fort from fire, told him, The Wigwams were Market proof, being all lin'd with Baskets and Tubbs of Grain and other Proviſions, ſufficient to ſupply the whole Army, until the Spring of the Year; and every wounded Man might have a good warm Houſe to lodge in, which other-ways would neceſſarily periſh with the Storms and Cold. And more-over, that the Army had no other Proviſion to truſt unto or depend upon; that be knew that Plymouth Forces had not ſo much as one Biſcake L • ft, for be bad ſeen their laſt dealt out, &c. The General adviſing a few Words with the Gentlemen that were about him, Mov'd towards the Fort, deſigning to ride in himſelf, and bring in the whole Army. But juſt as he was entring the Swamp, one of his Captains meet him, and asked him, Whither he was going? He told him into the Fort; the Captain laid hold of his Horſe, and told him, His Life was worth an bundred of theirs, and he ſhould not expoſe himſelf. The General told him, That he ſuppoſed the brunt was over, and that Mr. Church had inform'd him that the Fort was taken, &c. And as the caſe was circumſtanced he was of the Mind, that it was moſt practicable for him, and his Army to ſhelter themſelves in the Fort. The Captain in a great heat, reply'd, That Church ly'd; and told the General, That if he mov'd another ſtep towards the Fort he would ſhoot his Horſe under him. Then bruſled up another Gentleman, a certain Doctor, and oppoſs'd Mr. Chureh's advice, and ſaid, If it were comply'd with, it would kill more Men than the Enemy had killed; for (ſaid he) by to Morrow the wounded Men will be ſo ſtiff that there will be no moving of them: And looking upon Mr. Church, and ſeeing the blood flowing a pace from his Wounds, told him, That if he gave ſuch advice as that was, he ſhould bleed to Death like a Dog, before they would endeavour to ſtench his blood Though after they had prevailed againſt his advice, they were ſufficiently kind to him. And burning up all the Houſes and Proviſions in the Fort; the Army return'd the ſame Night in the Storm and Cold: And I Suppoſe every one that is acquainted with the circumſtances of that Nights March, deeply laments the miſeries that attended them, eſpecially the wounded & dying Men. But it mercifully came to paſs that Capt. Andrew Belcher arrived at Mr. Smiths that very Night from Boſton, with a Veſſel loaden with Proviſions for the Army, who muſt otherwiſe have periſh'd for want Some of the Enemy that were then in the Fort have ſince inform'd as, that near a third of the Indians belonging to all that Narraganſet Country were killed by the Engliſh, and by the Cold that Night, that they fled out of their Fort ſo haſtily that they carried nothing with them: that if the Engliſh had kept in the Fort, the Indians had certainly been neceſſitated, either to ſurrender themſelves to them, or to have periſhed by Hunger, and the ſeverity of the Seaſon. Some time after this Fort-ſight a certain Soghonate Indian hearing Mr. Church relate the manner of his being wounded, told him, That he did not know but he himſelf was the Indian that wounded him, for that he was one of that company of Indians that Mr. Church made a Shot upon when they were riſing up to make a Shot into the Fort; they were in number about 60 or 70, that juſt then came down from Pumhams Town, and never before then fired a Gun againſt the Engliſh; that when Mr. Church fired upon them he killed 14 dead in the Spot, and wounded a greater number than he killed, many of which dyed afterwards with their wounds, in the Cold and Storm the following Night.

Mr. Church was mov'd with other wounded men over to Rhode-Iſland, where in about a Months time he was in ſome good meaſure recovered of his Wounds, and the Fever that attended them. And then went over to the General to take his leave of him, with a deſign to return home.

But the Generals great importunity again perſwaded him, to accompany him in a long March, into the Nipmuck Country, tho' he had then Tents in his Wounds, and ſo Lame as not able to Mount his Horſe without two Mens aſſiſtance.

In this March the firſt thing remarkable was, they came to an Indian Town, where there were many Wigwams in ſight, but an Icy Swamp lying between them and the Wigwams, prevented their running at once upon it as they intended: there was much firing upon each ſide before they paſs'd the Swamp. But at length the Enemy all fled, and a certain Moobegan that was a friend Indian, purſued and ſe • 'd one of the Enemy that had a ſmall wound in his Leg, and brought him before the General, where he was examined. Some were for torturing of him to bring him to a more ample confeſſion, of what he knew concerning his Country-men. Mr. Church verily believing he had been ingenious in his confeſſion, interceeded and prevailed for his eſcaping torture. But the Army being bound forward in their March, and the Indians wound ſomewhat diſinabling him for Travelling, 'twas concluded he ſhould be knock'd on the Head: Accordingly he was brought before a great fire, and the Moobegan that took him was allowed, as he deſired, to be the Executiner. Mr.Church taking no delight in the Sport, fram'd an arrant at ſome diſtance among the baggage Horſes, and when he had got ſome Ten Rods, or thereabouts from the fire, the Executioner fetching a blow with his Hatchet at the head of the Priſoner, he being aware of the blow, dodged his aſide, and the Executioner miſſing his ſtroke the Hatchet ſlew out of his hand, and had like to have done execution where 'twas not deſign'd. The Priſoner upon his narrow eſcape broke from them that held him, and notwithſtanding his Wound made uſe of his Legs, and hap'd to run right upon Mr. Church, who laid hold on him, and a cloſe skuffle they had, but the Indian having no Clothes on ſlip'd from him, and ran again, and Mr. Church purſued the Indian, altho' being Lame, there was no great odds in the Race, until the Indian ſtumbled and fell, and they cloſed again, skuffled and ſought pretty ſmartly, until the Indian by the advantage of his nakedneſs ſlip'd from his hold again, and ſet out on his third Race, with Mr. Church cloſe at his heels, endeavouring to lay hold on the hair of his Head, which was all the hold could be taken of him; and running thro' a Swamp that was covered with hollow Ice, it made ſo loud a noiſe that Mr. Church expected (but in vain) that ſome of his Engliſh friends would follow the noiſe, and come to his aſſiſtance. But the Indian hap'd to run a-thwart a mighty Tree that lay fallen near breaſt-high, where he ſtop'd, and cry'd out a loud for help; but Mr. Church being ſoon upon him again, the Indian ſeized him faſt by the hair of his Head, and endeavouring by twiſting to break his Neck; but tho' Mr. Churches wounds had ſome-what weakned him, and the Indian a ſtout fellow, yet he held him well in play, and twiſted the Indians Neck as well, and took the advantage of many opportunities, while they hung by each others hair gave him notorious bunts in the face with his head. But in the heat of this skuffle they heard the Ice break with ſome bodies coming a-pace to them, which when they heard, Church concluded there was help for one or other of them, but was doubtful which of them muſt now receive the fatal ſtroke; anon ſome body comes up to them, who prov'd to be the Indian that had firſt taken the Priſoner. Without ſpeaking a word, he felt them out (for 'twas ſo dark he could not diſtinguiſh them by ſight) the one being clothed, and the other naked, he felt where Mr. Churches hands were faſtned in the Netops hair, and with one blow ſettled his Hatchet in between them, and ended the ſtrife. He then ſpoke to Mr. Church and hugg'd him in his Arms, and thank'd him abundantly for catching his Priſoner; and cut off the head of his Victim, and carried it to the Camp, and giving an account to the reſt of the friend Indians in the Camp, how Mr. Church had ſeized his Priſoner, &c. they all joyn'd a mighty ſhout.

Proceeding in this March, they had the ſucceſs of killing many of the Enemy: until at length their Proviſion failing, they return'd home.

King Philip (as was before hinted) was fled to a Place called Scattacook, between York and Albany, where the Mo • bags made a deſcent upon him and killed many of his Men, which moved him from thence.

His next kennelling Place was at the falls of Connecticut River, where ſometime after Capt. Turner found him, came upon him by Night, kill'd him a great many Men, and frighted many more into the River, that were hurl'd down the falls and drowned.

Philip got over the River, and on the back ſide of the Wetuſet-hills meets with all the Remnants of the Narraganſet and Nipmuck Indians, that were there gathered together, and became very numerous; and made their deſcent on Sudbury, and the Adjacent Parts of the Country, where they met with and ſwallowed up Valiant Capt. Wadſworth and his Company, and many other doleful deſolations, in thoſe Parts. The News whereof coming to Plymouth, and they expecting probably the Enemy would ſoon return again into their Colony: The Council of War were called together; and Mr. Church was ſent for to them, being obſerved by the whole Colony to be a Perſon extraordinarily qualify'd for and adapted to the Affairs of War. Twas propoſed in Council that leaſt the Enemy in their return ſhould fall on Rehoboth, or ſome other of their Out-Towns, a Company conſiſting of 60 or 70 Men ſhould be ſent in to thoſe Parts; and Mr. Church invited to take the Command of them. He told them, That if the Enemy returned into that Colony again, they might reaſonably expect that they would come very numerous; and that if be ſhould take the Command of Men, he ſhould not lye in any Town or Garriſon with them, but would lye in the Woods as the Enemy did: And that to ſend out ſuch ſmall Companies againſt ſuch Multitudes of the Enemy that were now Muſtered together, would be but to deliver ſo many Men into their hands, to be deſtroyed, as the Worthy Capt. Wadſworth and his Company were. His advice upon the whole was. That if they ſent out any Forces, to ſend not leſs than 300 Souldiers; and that the other Colonies ſhould be ask'd to ſend out their Quota's alſo; adding, That if they intended to make an end of the War, by ſubduing the Enemy, they muſt make a buſineſs of the War, as the Enemy did; and that for his own part, he had wholly laid aſide all his own private buſineſs and concerns, ever ſince the War broke out. He told them, That if they would ſend forth ſuch Forces as he ſhould direct to, he would go with them for Six weeks March, which was long enough for Men to be kept in the Woods at once; and if they might be ſure of Liberty to return in ſuch a ſpace, Men would go out chearfully. And he would engage 150 of the heſt Souldiers ſhould immediately Liſt Voluntarily to go with him, if they would pleaſe to add 50 more; and 100 of the Friend Indians; and with ſuch on Army he made no doubt but he might do good Service; but on other terms he did not incline to be concern'd.

Their reply was, That they were already in debt, and ſo big an Army would bring ſuch charge upon them, that they ſhould never be able to pay. And as for ſending out Indians, they thought it no wayes adviſable, and in ſhort, none of his advice practicable.

Now Mr. Churches Conſort, and his then only Son were till this time remaining at Duxborough, and his fearing their ſafety there (unleſs the War were more vigorouſly ingaged in) reſolved to move to Rhode-Iſland; tho' it was much oppoſed both by the Government, and by Relations But at length, the Governour conſidering that he might be no leſs Serviceable by being on that ſide of the Colony, gave his permit, and wiſh'd he had Twenty more as good Men to ſend with him.

Then preparing for his Removal, he went with his ſmall Family to Plymouth to take leave of their Friends; where they met with his Wives Parents, who much perſwaded that She might be left at Mr. Clarks Garriſon, (which they ſuppoſed to be a mighty ſafe Place) or at leaſt that She might be there until her ſoon expected lying-inn was over (being near her time.) Mr. Church no ways inclining to venture her any longer in thoſe Parts, and no arguments prevailing with him he reſolutely ſet out for Taurton, and many of their Friends accompanyed them. There they found Capt. Peirce, with a commanded Party, who offered Mr. Church to ſend a Relation of his with ſome others to guard him to Rhode-Iſland. But Mr. Church thank'd him for his Reſpectful offer, but for ſome good reaſons refus'd to accept it. In ſhort, they got ſafe to Capt. John Almy's houſe upon Rhode-Iſland, where the met with friends and good entertainment. But by the way, let me not forget this remarkable Providence. viz. That within Twenty-four hours or there abouts, after their arrival at Rhode-Iſland, Mr. Clarks Garriſon that Mr. Church was ſo much importuned to leave his Wife and Child at, was deſtroyed by the Enemy.

Mr. Church being at preſent diſinabled from any particular Service in he War, began to think of ſome other employ; but he no ſooner took a tool to cut a ſmall ſtick, but he cut off the top of his Fore finger, and the next to it, half off; upon which he ſmillingly ſaid, That he thought he was out of his way, to leave the War; and reſolved he would to War again. Accordingly his Second Son being born on the 12th of May and his Wife & Son like to do well, Mr. Church imbraces the opportunity of a paſſage in a Sloop bound to Barnſtabl • ; who landed him at Sogkon • ſſet, from whence he rid to Plymouth; arrived there on the firſt Tueſday in June: The General Court then ſitting, welcom'd him told him they were glad to ſee him Alive. He reply'd, He was as glad to ſee them Alive, for he had ſeen ſo many fires and ſmokes towards their ſide of the Country ſince he left them, that he could ſcarce eat or ſleep with any comfort, for fear they had been all deſtroyed. For all Travelling was ſtop'd, and no News had paſſed for a long time together. He gave them account, that the Indians had made horrid deſolations at Providence, Warwick, Petuxit, and all over the Narra anſet Country, & that they prevailed daily againſt the Engliſh on that ſide of the Country. Told them, he long'd to hear what Methods they deſign'd in the War. They told him, They were particularly glad that Providence had brought him there at that juncture: For they had concluded the very next day to ſend out an Army of 200 Men, two third Engliſh, and one third Indians, in ſome meaſure agreeable to his former propoſal; expecting Boſton, and Connecticut to joyn with their Quota's. In ſhort, It was ſo concluded. And that Mr. Church ſhould return to the Iſland, and ſee what he could Muſter there, of thoſe that had mov'd from Swanz • y, Dartmouth, &c. So returning the ſame way he came; when he came to Sogkoneſſet, he had a ſham put upon him, about a Boat he had bought to go home in; and was forced to hire two of the friend Indians to paddle him in a Canoo from Elſabeths to Rhode-Iſland.

It fell out that as they were in their Voyage paſſing by Sogkonate-point, ſome of the Enemy were upon the Rocks a fiſhing; he bid the Indians that managed the Canoo to paddle ſo near to the Rocks as that he might call to th • ſe Indians; told them. That he had a great mind ever ſince the War broke out to ſpeak with ſome of the Sogkonate Indians, and that they were their Relations, and therefore they need not fear their hurting of them. And he added, That he had a mighty conceit that if be could gain a fair Opportunity to diſcourſe them, that he could draw them off from Philip, for he knew they never heartily loved him. The Enemy hollowed and made ſigns for the Ca • oo to come to them: But when they approach'd them they skulked and • hid in the clifts of the Rocks; then Mr. Church ordered 〈◊〉 Canoo to be paddled off again, leaſt if he came too near they ſhould ſire upon him. Then the Indians appearing again, beckn'd and call'd in the Indian Language, and bid them come a-ſhore, they wanted to ſpeak with them. The Indians in the Canoo anſwered them again; but they on the Rocks told them, That the ſurff made ſuch a noiſe againſt the Rocks, they could not hear any thing they ſaid. Then Mr. Church by ſigns with his hands, gave to underſtand, That he would have two of them go down upon the point of the beach (a place where a Man might ſee who was near him) accordingly two of them ran a-long the beach, and met him there; without their Arms excepting that one of them had a Lance in his hand; they uged Mr. Church to come a-ſhore for they had a great deſire to have ſome diſcourſe with him; He told them, if he that had his weapon in his hand would carry it up ſome diſtance upon the beach and leave it, he would come a-ſhore and diſcourſe them: He did ſo, and Mr. Church went a-ſhore, halled up his Canoo, ordered one of his Indians to ſtay by it, and the other to walk above on the beach, as a Sentinel to ſee that the Coaſts were clear. And when Mr. Church came up to the Indians, one of them happened to be honeſt George, one of the two that Awaſhonks formerly ſent to call him to her Dance, and was ſo careful to guard him back to his Houſe again; the laſt Sogkonate Indian he ſpoke with before the War broke out; he ſpoke Engliſh very well. Mr. Church asked him where Awaſhonks was? he told him in a Swamp about three Miles off. Mr. Church again asked him, What it was he wanted that he hollowed and called him a-ſhore? he anſwered, That he took him for Church as ſoon as he heard his Voice in the Canoo, and that he was very glad to ſee him alive, and he believed his Miſtriſs would be as glad to ſee him, and ſpeak with him; he told him further, That he believed ſhe was not fond of maintaining a War with the Engliſh; and that ſhe had left Philip, and did not intend to return to him any more; he was mighty earneſt with Mr. Church to tarry there while he would run and call her: but he told him no; for he did not know but the Indians would come down and kill him before he could get back again; he ſaid, if Mount-hope or Poceſſet Indians could catch him, he believed they would knock him on the head: But all Sogkonate Indians knew him very well, and he believed would none of them hurt him. In ſhort, Mr. Church refuſed then to tarry, but promiſed that he would come over again, and ſpeak with Awaſhonks, and ſome other Indians that he had a mind to talk with.

Accordingly he appointed him to notifie Awaſhonks, her Son Peter, their Chief Captain and one No •• paſh (an Indian that Mr. Church had formerly a particular reſpect for) to meet him two dayes after, at a Rock at the lower end of Capt. Richmonds Farm; which was a very noted place; and if that day ſhould prove Stormy, or Windy, they were to expect him the next moderate day. Mr. Church telling George, that he would have him come with the Perſons mentioned, and no more. They giving each other their hand upon it parted, and Mr. Church went home, and the next Morning to New port, and informed the Government, what had paſſed between him and the Sogkonate Indians. And deſired their permit for him and Daniel Wilcock, (a Man that well underſtood the Indian Language) to go over to them. They told him, They thought he was mad, after ſuch Service • s he had done, and ſuch dangers that he eſcaped, now to throw away his Life, for the Rogues would as certainly kill him, as ever he went over; and utterly refuſed to grant his permit, or to be willing that he ſhould run the riſque.

Mr. Church told them, That it had ever been in his thoughts ſince the War broke out, that if he could diſcourſe the Sogkonate Indians, he could draw them off from Philip, and employ them againſt him; but could, till now, never have an Opportunity to ſpeak with any of them, and was very lothe to l • ſe it, &c. At length, they told him, If he would go, it ſhould be only with the two Indians that came with him; but they would give him no permit under their hands. He took his leave of them, Reſolving to proſecute his deſign; they told him they were ſorry to ſee him ſo Reſolute, nor if he went did they ever expect to ſee his face again.

He bought a Bottle of Rhum, and a ſmall role of Tobacco, to carry with him, and returned to his Family. The next Morning, being the day appointed for the Meeting, he prepared two light Canoo's for the deſign, and his own Man, with the two Indians for his company. He uſed ſuch arguments with his tender, and now almoſt broken hearted Wiſe, from the experience of former preſervations, and the proſpect of the great Service he might do, might it pleaſe God to ſucceed his deſign, &c. that he obtained her conſent to his attempt; and committing her, his Babes and himſelf to Heavens protection. He ſet out, they had from the Shore about a League to paddle; drawing near the place they ſaw the Indians ſetting on the bank, watring for their coming. Mr. Church ſent one of the Indians a-ſhore in one of the Canoo's, to ſee whither it were the ſame Indians whom he had appointed to meet him, and no more; and if ſo to ſtay a-ſhore and ſend George to fetch him. Accordingly George came and fetch'd Mr. Church a-ſhore, while the other Canoo play'd off to ſee the event, and to carry tydings if the Indians ſhould prove falſe.

Mr. Church ask'd George Whether Awaſhonks and the other Indians he appointed to meet him were there? He anſwered they were. He then ask'd him, If there were no more than they whom he appointed to be there? To Which he would give him no direct anſwer. However he went a-ſhore, where he was no ſooner landed, but Awaſhonks and the reft that he had appointed to meet him there, roſe up and came down to meet him; and each of them ſucceſſively gave him their hands, and expreſſed themſelves glad to ſee him, and gave him thanks for expoſing himſelf to viſit them. They walk'd together about a Gun-ſhot from the water to a convenient place to ſit down. Where at once a-roſe up a great body of Indians, who had lain hid in the graſs, (that was as high as a Mans waſte) and gathered round them, till they had clos'd them in; being all arm'd with Guns, Spears, Hatchets, &c. with their hair trim'd and faces painted, in their Warlike appearance. It was doubtleſs ſome-what ſurprizing to our Gentleman at firſt, but without any viſible diſcovery of it, after a ſmall ſilent pauſe on each ſide, He ſpoke to Awaſhonks and told her, That George had inform'd him that ſee had a deſire to ſee him, and diſcourſe about making Peace with the Engliſh. She anſwered, Yes. Then ſaid Mr. Church, It is cuſtomary when People meet to treat of Peace to lay aſide their Arms, and not to appear in ſuch Hoſtile form as your People do: deſired of her that if they might talk about Peace, which he deſired they might, Her men might lay aſide their Arms, and appear more treatable. Upon which there began a conſiderable noiſe and murmur among them in weir own Language. Till Awaſhonks ask'd him, What Arms they ſhould lay down, and where? He (perceiving the Indians look'd very ſurly, and much diſpleaſed) Replied, Only their Guns at ſome ſmall diſtance, for formality • ake. Upon which with one conſent they laid aſide their Guns, and came and ſat down.

Mr. Church pulled out his Callebaſh and asked Awaſhonks, Whether ſhe had lived ſo long at Wetrſet, as to forget to drink Occapechees; and drinking to her, he perceived that ſhe watch'd him very diligently to ſee (as he thought) wh • ther he ſwallowed any of the Rhum; he offered her the Shell, but ſhe deſired him to drink again firſt, He then told her, There was no poiſon in it, and pouring ſome into the Palm of his hand, ſup'd it up and took the Shell and drank to her again, and drank a good Swig which indeed was no more than he needed. Then they all ſtanding up, he ſaid to Awaſhonks, You wont drink for fear there ſhould be poiſon in it: And then handed it to a little ill look'd fellow, who catched it readily enough, and as greedily would have ſwallowed the Liquor when he had it at his mouth; But Mr. Church catch'd him by the throat and took it from him, asking him, Whether he intended to ſwallow S • ell and al • ? And then handed it to Awaſhonks, ſhe ventured to take a good hearty dram, and paſs'd it among her Attendants.

The Shell being emptied, he pulled out his Tobacco, and having diſtributed it, they began to talk.

Awaſhonks demanded of him, the Reaſon why he had not (agreeable to his promiſe when ſhe ſaw him laſt) been down at Sogkonate before now; Saying that probably if he had come then according to his promiſe, they had never joyned with Philip againſt the Engliſh.

He told her he was prevented by the Wars breaking out ſo ſuddenly. And yet, he was afterwards coming down, & came as far as Punkateeſe, where a great many Indians ſet upon him, and fought him a whole afternoon, tho' he did not come prepared to fight, had but Nineteen Men with him, whoſe chief deſign was to gain an Opportunity to diſcourſe ſome Sogkonate Indians. Upon this there at once aroſe a mighty Murmur, conſuſed noiſe, & talk among the fierce lock'd Creatures, and all riſing up in an hubbub; and a great ſurly lock'd fellow took up his Tomh • g, or wooden Cutlaſh, to kill Mr. Church, but ſome others prevented him.

The Interpreter asked Mr. Church, if he underſtood what it was that the great fellow (they had hold of) ſaid? He anſwered him, No. Why, faid the Interpreter, He ſays, you killed his Brother at Punkateeſe, and therefore he thirſts for your blood. Mr. Church bid the Interpreter tell him that his Brother began firſt: That if he had kept as Sogkonate according to his deſire and order, he ſhould not have hurt him.

Then the chief Captain commanded Silence, and told them, That they ſhould talk no more about old things, &c. and quell'd the tumult, ſo that they ſat down again, and began upon a diſcourſe of making Peace with the Engliſh. Mr. Church ask'd them, What Propoſals they would make, and on what terms they would break their League with Philip? Deſiring them to make ſome Propoſals that he might carry to his Maſter's, telling them that it was not in his Power to conclude a Peace with them, but that he knew that if their Propoſals were reaſonable, the Government would not be unreaſonable, and that he would uſe his Intereſt in the Government for them. And to encourage them to proceed, put them in mind that the Pequo • s once made War with the English, and that after they ſubjected themſelves to the Engliſh, the Engliſh became their Protectors, and defended them againft other Nations that would otherwiſe have deſtroyed them, &c. After ſome further diſcourfe, and debate, he brought them at length to conſent that if the Government of Plymouth would firmly ingage to them, That they, and all of them, and their Wives and Children, ſhould bave their Lives ſpared, and none of them tranſported out of the Country, they would ſubject themſelves to them, and ſerve them in what they were able.

Then Mr. Church told them, That he was well ſatisfyed the Government of Plymouth would readily concur with what they propoſed, and would ſign their Articles: And complementing them upon it, how pleaſed he was with the thoughts of their return, and of the former friendſhip that had been between them, &c.

The chief Captain roſe up, and expreſſed the great value and reſpect he had for Mr. Church; and bowing to him ſaid, Sir, If you'l pleaſe to accept of me and my men, and will head us, we'l fight for you, and will help you to Philips Lead before Indian Corn be ripe And when he had ended, they all expreſs'd their conſent to what he ſaid, and told Mr. Church they loved him, and were willing to go with him and fight for him, as long as the Engliſh had one E • emy left in the Country.

Mr. Church aſſured them, That if they proved as good as their word they ſhould find him their's and their Children's laft friend. A • d, (by the way) the friendſhip is maintain'd between them to this day.

Then he propoſed unto them, that they ſhould chooſe five men to go ſtraight with him to Plymouth: They told him, No; they would not chooſe, but he ſhould take which five he pleaſed: ſome complements paſſed about it, at length it was agreed, They ſhould chooſe Three and he Two. Then he agreed, with that he would go back to the Iſland that Night, and would come to them the next Morning, and go thro' the Woods to Plymouth. But they afterwards objected, That this travelling thro' the Woods would not be ſafe for him; the Enemy might meet with them, and kill him, and then they ſhould loſe their friend, and the whole deſign ruined beſide. And therefore propoſed, That he ſhould come in an Engliſh Veſſel and they would meet him and come on board at Sogkonate-point, and Sail from thence to Sandwich: which in fine, was concluded upon.

So Mr. Church promiſing to come as ſoon as he could poſſibly obtain a Veſſel, and then they parted. He returned to the Iſland, and was at great pains and charge to get a Veſſel, but with unaccountable diſappointments, ſometimes by the falſeneſs, and ſometimes by the faint-heartedneſs of Men that he bargained with, and ſomething by Wind and Weather, &c.

Until at length Mr.Anthony Low put into the Harbour with a loaden Veſſel bound to the Weſtward, and being made acquainted with Mr. Churches caſe, told him, That he had ſo much kindneſs for him, and was ſo pleaſed with the buſineſs that be was ingaged in, that be would run the venture of his Veſſel & Cargo, to wait upon him. Accordingly, next Morning they ſet Sail with a Wind that ſoon brought them to Sogkonate-point; but coming there they met with a contrary wind, and a great ſwelling See.

The Indians were there waiting upon the Rocks, but had nothing but a miſerable broken Canoo to get aboard in. Yet Peter Awaſhonks ventured off in it, and with a great deal of difficulty and danger got aboard. And by this time it began to Rain and Blow exceedingly, and forced them away up the Sound; and then went away thro' Briſtol Ferry, round the Iſland to New-port, carrying Peter with them.

Then Mr. Church diſmiſs'd Mr. Low, and told him, That inaſmuch as Providence oppos'd his going by Water, and he expected that the Army would be up in a few days, and probably if be ſhould be gone at that juncture, it might ruine the whole deſign; would therefore yield his Voyage.

Then he writ the account of his tranſactions with the Indians, and drew up the Propoſals, and Articles of Peace, and diſpatch'd Peter with them to Plymouth; that his Honour the Governour if he ſaw cauſe might ſign them.

Peter was ſet over to Sogkonate on the Lords day Morning, with orders to take thoſe men that were choſen to go down, or ſome of them at leaſt with him. The time being expired that was appointed for the Engliſh Army to come, there was great looking for them. Mr. Church on the Monday Morning (partly to divert himſelf after his fategue, and partly to liſten for the Army) Rid out with his Wife and ſome of his friends to Portſmouth, under a pretence of Cherrying; but came home without any News from the Army: But by Midnight, or ſooner, he was rouſed with an Expreſs from Maj. Bradford, who was arrived with the Army at Pocaſſet. To whom he forth with repaired, and informed him of the whole of his proceedings, with the Sogkonate Indians. With the Majors conſent and advice, he returned again next Morning to the Iſland in order to go over that way to Awaſhonks, to inform her that the Army was arrived, &c. Accordingly from Sachueeſet-Neck, he went in a Canoo to Sogkonate; told her Maj. Bradford was arrived at Pocaſſet, with a great Army, whom he had inform'd of all his proceedings with her. That if ſhe would be adviſed and obſerve order ſhe nor her People need not to fear being hurt by them. Told her, She ſhould call all her. People down into the Neck, leaſt if they ſhould be found ſtraggling about, miſchief might light on them. That on the Morrow they would come down and receive her, and give her further orders. She promiſed to get as many of her People together as poſſibly ſhe could. Deſiring Mr. Church to conſider that it would be diſſicult for to get them together at ſuch ſhort warning. Mr. Church returned to the Iſland, and to the Army the ſame Night: The next Morning the whole Army Marched towards Sogkonate as ſar as Punkateeſe; and Mr Church with a few Men went down to Sogkonate to call Awaſhonks, and her People to come up to the Engliſh Camp; as he was going down, they met with a Pocaſſet Indian, who had killed a Cow and got a Quarter of her on his back, and her Tongue in his Pocket; who gave them an account, That he came from Pocaſſet two days ſince in company with his Mother and ſeveral other Indians now hid in a Swamp above N • mquid; diſarming of him, he ſent him by two Men to Maj. Bradford, and proceeded to Sogkonate: they ſaw ſeveral Indians by the way skulking about, but let them paſs. Arriving at Awaſhonks Camp, told her, He was come to invite her and her People up to Punkateeſe, where Maj. Bradford now was with the Plymouth Army, expecting her and her Subjects to receive orders, until further order could be had from the Government. She complyed, and ſoon ſent out orders for ſuch of her Subjects as were not with her, immediately to come in; and by Twelve a Clock of the next day, ſhe with moſt of her Number appear'd before the Engliſh Camp at Punkateeſe. Mr. Church tender'd the Major to Serve under his Commiſſion provided the Indians might be accepted with him, to fight the Enemy. The Major told him, his Orders were to •• prove him, if he pleaſed, but as for the Indians, be would not be concerned with them. And preſently gave forth orders for Awaſhonks, and all her Subjects both Men, Women and Children to repair to Sandwich, and to be there upon Peril, in Six days. Awaſhonks and her chiefs gather'd round Mr. Church, (where he was walk'd off from the reſt) expreſſed themſelves concerned that they could not be confided in, nor improv'd. He told them, 'twas beſt to obey Orders; and that if he could not accompany them to Sandwich, it ſhould not be above a Week before he would meet them there; That he was confident the Governour would Commiſſion him to improve them. The Major haflened to ſend them away with Jack Havens, (an Indian who had never been in the Wars) in the Front with a flag of Truce in his hand. They being gone, Mr. Church, by the help of his Man Toby (the Indian whom he had taken Priſoner, as he was going down to Sogkonote) took ſaid Toby's Mother, & thoſe that were with her, Priſoners. Next Morning the whole Army moved back to Pocaſſet. This Toby informed them that there were a great many Indians gone down to Wepoiſet to eat Clams, (other Proviſions being very ſcarce with them;) that Philip himſelf was expected within, 3 or 4 dayes at the ſame Place: being asked, what Indians they were? He anſwered, Some Weetemo • es Indians, ſome Mount-hope Indians, ſome Narraganſet Indians, and ſome other Upland Indians, in all about 300. The Rhode-Iſland Boats by the Majors order meeting them at Pocaſſet, they were ſoon imbark'd, it being juſt in the dusk of the Evening, they could plainly diſcover the Enemies fires at the Place the Indian directed to; and the Army concluded no other but they were bound directly thither, until they came to the North End of the Iſland, and heard the word of Command for the Boats to bare away. Mr. Church was very fond of having this probable opportunity of ſurprizing that whole Company of Indians imbraced: But Orders, 'twas ſaid, muſt be obeyed, which was to go to Mount-hope and there to fight Philip. This with ſome other good opportunities of doing ſpoil upon the Enemy, being unhappily miſs'd. Mr. Church obtain'd the Majors Conſent to meet the Sogkonate Indians, according to his promiſe. He was offer'd a Guard to Plymouth, but choſe to go with one Man only, who was a good Pilot. About Sun ſet he with Sabin his Pilot mounted their Horſes at Reboboth, where the Army now was, and by two Hours by Sun next Morning arrived ſafe at Plymouth: And by that time they had refreſhed themſelves the Governour and Treaſurer came to Town. Mr. Church giving them a ſhort account of the affairs of the Army &c. His Honour was pleaſed to give him thanks for the good and great Service he had done at Sogkonate, told him, He had confirmed all that be promiſed Awaſhonks, and had ſent the Indian back again that brought his Letter. He asked his Honour, Whether he had any thing later from Awaſhonks? He told him he had not. Where upon he gave his Honour account of the Majors orders relating to her and hers, and what diſcourſe had paſſed pro & con about them; and that he had promiſed to meet them, and that he had incouraged them, that he thought he might obtain of his Honour a Commiſſion to lead them forth to fight Philip. His Honour ſmilingly told him, That be ſhould not want Commiſſion if be would accept it, nor yet good Engliſh men enough to make up a good Army. But in ſhort, he told his Honour the time was expired that he had appointed to meet the Sogkonates at Sandwich. The Governour asked him, when he would go? He told him that afternoon, by his Honours leave. The Governour ask'd him, How many Men he would have with him? He anſwered. Not above half a dozen, with an order to take more at Sandwich, if he ſaw cauſe; and Horſes provided. He no ſooner moved it, but had his number of Men tendering to go with him, among which was Mr. J • b • z Howland, and Nathanael Southworth; they went to Sandwich that Night; where Mr. Church (with need enough) took a Nap of Sleep. The next Morning with about 16 or 18 Men proceeded as far as Agawom, where they had great expectation of meeting the Indians, but met them not; his Men being diſcouraged about half of them returned; only half a dozen ſtuck by him, & or miſed ſo to do until they ſhould meet with the Indians. When they came to Sippio • m River, Mr. Howland began to tyre, upon which Mr Church left him, and two more, for a Reſerve at the River, that if he ſhould meet with Enemies and be forced ba • k, they might be ready to aſſiſt them in getting oves the River. Proceeding in their March, they croſſed another River, and opened a great Bay, where they might ſee many Miles along ſhore, where were Sands and Flats; and heating a great noiſe below them towards the Sea. They diſmounted their Horſes, left them and crep'd among the buſhes, until they came near the bank, and ſaw a vaſt company of Indians, of all Ages and Sexs, ſome on Horſe-back running races, ſome at Foot-ball, ſome catching Eels & Flat-fiſh in the water, ſome Clamming, &c. but which way with ſafety to find out what Indians they were, they were at a loſs. But at length, retiring into a thicket. Mr. Church hollow'd to them; they ſoon anſwered him, and a couple of ſmart young Fellows, well mounted, came upon a full Career to ſee who it might be that call'd, and came juſt upon Mr Church before they diſcovered him; but when they perceived themſelves ſo near Engliſh Men, and Arm'd, were much ſurprized, and tack'd ſhort about to run as faſt back as they came forward, until one of the Men in the buſhes call'd to them, and told them his Name was Church, and need not fear his hurting of them. Upon which, after a ſmall pauſe, they turned about their Horſes, and came up to him; one of them that could ſpeak Engliſh, Mr. Church took aſide and examin'd, who inform'd him, That the Indians below were Awaſhonks, and her company, and that Jack Havens was among them; whom Mr. Church immediately ſent for to come to him, and order'd the Meſſenger to inform Awaſhonks that he was come to meet her; Jack Havens ſoon came, and by that time Mr. Church had ask'd him a few Queſtions, and had been ſatisfyed by him, That it was Awaſhonks, and her company that were below, and that Jack had been kindly treated by them; a company of Indians all Mounted on Horſe back, and well Arm'd came riding up to Mr. Church, but treated him with all dew reſpects. He then order'd Jack to go tell Awaſhonks, that he deſigned to Sup with her in the Evening, and to lodge in her Camp that Night. Then taking ſome of the Indians with him, he went back to the River to take care of Mr. Howland: Mr. Church being a Mind to try what Mettal he was made of, imparted his notion to the Indians that were with him, & gave them directions how to act their parts; when he came pretty near the Place, he and his Engliſh Men pretendedly fled, firing on their retreat towards the Indians that purſued them, and they firing as faſt after them. Mr. Howland being upon his guard, hearing the Guns, and by & by ſeeing the motion both of the Engliſh and Indians, concluded his friends were diſtreſſed, was ſoon on the full Career on Horſe-back to meet them, until he perceiving their laughing miſtruſted the Truth. As ſoon as Mr. Church had given him the News, they haſted away to Awaſhonks. Upon their arrival, they were immediately conducted to a ſhelter, open on one ſide, whither Awaſhonks and her chiefs ſoon came & paid their Reſpects: and the Multitudes gave ſhouts as made the heavens to ring. It being now about Sun-ſetting, or near the dusk of the Evening; The Netops came running from all quarters loaden with the tops of dry Pines, & the like combuſtible matter making a hugh pile thereof, near Mr. Churches ſhelter, on the open ſide thereof: but by this time Supper was brought in, in three diſhes, viz. a curious young Baſs, in one diſh, Eels & Flat-fiſh in a ſecond, and Shell-fiſh in a third, but neither Bread nor Salt to be ſeen at Table. But by that time Supper was over, the mighty pile of Pine Knots and Tops, &c. was fired, and all the Indians great and ſmall gathered in a ring round it. Awaſhonks with the oldeſt of her People Men and Women mix'd, kneeling down made the firſt ring next the fire, and all the luſty, ſtout Men ſtanding up made the next; and then all the Rabble in a confuſed Crew ſurrounded on the out-ſide. Then the chief Captain ſtep'd in between the rings and the fire, with a Spear in one hand and an Hatchet in the other danced round the fire, and began to fight with it, making mention of all the ſeveral Nations & Companies of Indians in the Country that were Enemies to the Engliſh; & at naming of every particular Tribe of Indians, he would draw out & fight a new fire brand, & at his finiſhing his fight with each particular fire-brand, would bow to him and thank him; and when he had named all the ſeveral Nations and Tribes, and fought them all he ſtuck down his Spear and Hatchet, and came out; and another ſtept in and acted over the ſame dance, wi • h more fury, if poſſible, than the firſt; and when about half a dozen of their chiefs had thus acted their parts, The Captain of the Guard ſtept up to Mr. Church and told him, They were making Souldiers for him, and what they had been doing was all one Swearing of them, and having in that manner ingaged all the luſty ſtout men. Awaſhonks & her chiefs came to Mr. Church; and told him, That now they were all ingaged to fight for the Engliſh, and he might call forth all, or any of them at any time as be ſaw occaſion to fight the Enemy; and preſented him with a very fine Firelock Mr. Church accepts their offer, drew out a number of them, and ſet out next Morning before day for Plymouth, where they arrived ſafe the ſame day.

The Governour being informed of it, came early to Town next Morning: and by that time he had Engliſh Men enough to make up a good Company, when joyned with Mr. Churches Indians, that offered their Voluntary Service to go under his Command in queſt of the Enemy. The Governour then gave him a Commiſſion, which is as follows,

Receiving Commiſſion he Marched the ſame Night into the Woods, got to Midd •• b •• ry before day, and as ſoon as the light appeared, took into the Woods and Swampy thickets towards a place where they had ſome reaſon to expect to meet with a parcel of Narraganſet Indians, with ſome others that belonged to Mount-hope: Coming near to where they expected them, Capt. Church's Indian Scout diſcovered the Enemy, and well obſerving their fires, and poſtures, Returned with the intelligence to their Captain, who gave ſuch directions for the ſurrounding of them, as had the direct effect; ſurprizing them from every ſide ſo unexpectedly, that they were all taken, not ſo much as one eſcaped. And upon a ſtrick examination, they gave intelligence of another parcel of the Enemy, at a Place called Munponſet-Pond Capt. Church haſtning with his Priſoners, thro' the Woods to Plymouth, diſpoſed of them all, excepting only one J • ff • ry, who proving very ingenious & faithful to him, in informing where other parcels of the Indians hat boured Capt. Church promiſed him, that if he continued to be faithful to him, he ſhould not be Sold out of the Country, but ſhould be his waiting man, to take care of his Horſe, &c. and accordingly he Served him faithfully as long as he lived. But Capt. Church was forth-with ſent out again; and the Terms for his incouragement being concluded on: viz. That the Country ſhould find them Am •• nition & Proviſion; & have half the Priſoners, & Arms, they took: The Captain and his Engliſh Souldiers to have the other half of the Priſoners, and Arms; and the •• lian Souldiers the looſe Plunder. Poor incouragement 〈◊〉 But after ſome time it was mended.

They ſoon Captivated the Munponſets, and brought in, not one eſcaping. This ſtroke he held ſeveral Weeks, never returning empty handed. When he wanted intelligence of their Kennelling Places, he would March to ſome place likely to meet with ſome travellers or ramblers, and ſcattering his Company, would lye cloſe; and ſeldom lay above a day or two, at the moſt, before ſome of them would fall into their hands: Whom he would compel to inform, where their Company was; and ſo by his method of ſecret and ſudden ſurprizes took great Numbers of them Priſoners.

The Government obſerving his extraordinary courage and conduct, and the ſucceſs from Heaven added to it, ſaw cauſe to inlarge his Commiſſion; gave him power to raiſe, and diſmiſs his Forces, as he ſhould ſee occaſion; to Commiſſionate Officers under him and to March as far as he ſhould ſee cauſe, within the limits of the three United Colonies: to receive to mercy, give quarter, or not; excepting ſome particular & noted Murderers: viz, Philip and all that were at the deſtroying of Mr. Clark's Garriſon, and ſome few others

Major Bradford being now at Taunton with his Army, and wanting Proviſions; ſome Carts were ordered from Plymouth for their ſupply, and Capt. Church to guard them. But he obtaining other guards for the Carts, as far as Middleborough, ran before with a ſmall Company, hoping to meet with ſome of the Enemy, appointing the Carts and their guards to meet them at Nem • ſout about an hour after the Suns riſing next Morning: he arrived there about the breaking of the day-light, diſcovered a company of the Enemy; but his time was too ſhort to wait for gaining advantage; and therefore ran right in upon them, Surprized and Captivated about 16 of them: who upon examination, inform'd, That Tiſpaquin, a very famous Captain among the Enemy was at Aſſawompſet, with a numerous Company.

But the Carts muſt now be guarded, and the opportunity of viſiting Tiſpaquin muſt now be laid aſide: The Carts are to be faithfully guarded, left Tiſpaquid ſhould attack them.

Coming towards Taunton, Capt. Church taking two men with him, made all ſpeed to the Town; and coming to the River ſide, he hollow'd, and inquiring of them that came to the River, for Maj Bradford, or his Captains; he was inform'd, they were in the Town, at the Tavern. He told them of the Carts that were coming, that he had the cumber of guarding of them, which had already prevented his improving opportunities of doing Service. Pray'd therefore that a guard might be ſent over to receive the Carts, that he might be at liberty; reſuſing all invitations and perſwaſions, to go over to the Tavern to viſit the Major: he at length obtain'd a guard to receive the Carts; by whom alſo he ſent his Priſoners to be convey'd with the Carts to Plymouth, directing them not to return by the way they came, but by Bridgwater.

Haſtening back he purpoſed to Camp that Night at Aſſawompſet Neck. But as ſoon as they came to the River that runs into the great Pond thro' the thick Swamp at the entering of the Neck; the Enemy fired upon them, but hurt not a Man. Capt. Churches Indians ran right into the Swamp and fired upon them, but it being in the dusk of the Evening, the Enemy made their eſcape in the thickets: The Captain then moving about a Mile into the Neck, tock the advantage of a ſmall Valley to feed his Horſes; ſome held the Horſes by the Bridles, the reſt on the guard look'd ſharp out for the Enemy, within hearing on every ſide and ſome very near; but in the dead of the Night, the Enemy being out of hearing or ſtill, Capt. Church moved out of the Neck (not the ſame way he came in, leaſt he ſhould be Ambuſcado'd) toward Cuſhnet, where all the Houſes were burnt; and croſſing Cuſhne River being extreamly fategued, with two Nights and one Days ramble without Reſt or Sleep; and obſerving good forage for their Horſes, the Captain concluded upon bai • ing, and taking a Nap. Setting Six Men to watch the paſſage of the River, two to watch at a time, while the other ſlept, & ſo to take their turns; while the reſt of the Company went into a thicket to Sleep under the guard of two Sentinels more. But the whole Company being very drowſy, ſoon forgot their danger, and were faſt a-ſleep, Sentinels, and all. The Captain firſt awakes, looks up, and judges he had ſlept four Hours, which being longer than he deſigned, immediately rouſes his Company, and ſends away a file to ſee what were become of the watch at the paſſage of the River, but they no ſooner opened the River in ſight, but they diſcovered a company of the Enemy viewing of their tracts, where they came into the Neck; Capt. Church and thoſe with him ſoon diſpers'd into the bruſh on each ſide of the way, while the file ſent, got undiſcovered to the paſſage of the River, and found their watch all faſt a ſleep: but theſe Tidings thoroughly awakened the whole Company. But the Enemy giving them no preſent diſturbance, they examined their Snapſacks, and taking a little refreſhment, the Captain orders one party to guard the Horſes, and the other to Scout, who ſoon met with a Track, and following of it, they were bro't to a ſmall company of Indians, who proved to be Little Eyes, and his Family, and near Relations, who were of Sogkonate, but had forſaken their Country men, upon their making Peace with the Engliſh. Some of Capt. Churches Indians asked him, If he did not know that fellow? Told him, This is the Rogue that would have killed you at Awaſhonks Dance; and ſignified to him that now he had an opportunity to be revenged on him. But the Captain told them, It was not Engliſh-mans faſhion to ſeek reverge; and that he ſhould have the ſame quarter the reſt had. Moving to the River ſide, they found an old Canoo, with which the Captain ordered Little Eyes and his company to be carryed over to an Iſland. Telling him, he would leave him on that Iſland until be returned; and leſt the Engliſh ſhould light on them, and kill them, be would leave his couſin Light-foot (whom the Engliſh knew to be their Friend) to be his guard. Little Eyes expreſſed himſelf very thankful to the Captain. He leaving his orders with Light-foot, returns to the Rivers ſide towards Poneganſet, to Ruſſ • l▪ Orchard, coming near the Orchard they clap'd into a thicket and there lodg'd the reſt of the Night without any fire; and upon the Morning light appearing, moves towards the Orchard, diſcovers ſome of the Enemy, who had been there the day before, and had beat down all the Apples, and carryed them away; diſcovered alſo where they had lodg'd that Night, and ſaw the ground where they ſet their baskets bloody, being as they ſuppoſed and as it was afterwards diſcovered to be with the fleſh of Swine, &c, which they had killed that day: They had lain under the Fences without any fires; and ſeem'd by the marks they leſt behind them to be very numerous, perceived alſo by the dew on the graſs that they had not been long gone; and therefore mov'd a-pace in purſuit of them Travelling three Miles, or more, they came into the Country Road, where the track parted one parcel ſteered towards the Weſt end of the great Cedar Swamp, and the other to the Eaſt end. The Captain halted and told his Indian Souldiers, That they had heard as well as he, what ſome Men bad ſaid at Plymouth about them, &c. That now was a good opportunity for each party to prove themſelves: The Track being divided they ſhould follow one, and the Engliſh the other, being equal in number. The Indians declined the Motion, and were not willing to move any where without him; ſaid they ſhould not think themſelves ſafe without him. But the Captain inſiſting upon it, they ſubmitted; he gave the Indians their choice to follow which track they pleaſed; they replyed, They were light and able to Travel, therefore of be pleaſed ther would take the Weſt Track. And appointing the Ruins of John Cooks Houſe at Cuſhnet for the place to meet at; each Company ſet out briskly to try their Fortunes. Capt. Church with his Engliſh Soldiers followed their Track until they came near entring a miery Swamp, when the Capt. heard a Whiſtle in the Rear, (which was a note for a halt) looking behind him, he ſaw William Fobes ſtart out of the Company and made towards him, who haſten'd to meet him as faſt as he could; Fobes told him they had diſcovered abundance of Indians, and if he pleaſed to go a few ſteps back he might ſee them himſelf: he did ſo, and ſaw them a-croſs the Swamp, obſerving them, he perceived they were gathering of Hurtle-Berries, and that they had no apprehenſions of their being ſo near them; The Captain ſuppoſed them to be chiefly Women, and therefore calling one Mr. Dillano, who was acquainted with the ground, and the Indian Language, and another named Mr. Barns; with theſe two Men he takes right thro' the Swamp as faſt as he could, and orders the reft to haſten after them. Capt. Church with Dillano & Barns having good Horſes, ſpur'd on and where ſoon among the Thickeſt of the Indians, and out of ſight of their own Men: Among the Enemy was an Indian Woman (who with her Husband had been drove off from Rhode-Iſland) notwithſtanding they had an Houſe upon Mr. Sanford's Land, and had planted an Orchard before the War; yet the Inhabitants would not be ſatisfyed till they were ſent off; and Capt. Church with his Family, living then at the ſaid Sanfords, came acquainted with them, who thought it very hard to turn off ſuch old, quiet People: but in the end it prov'd a Providence & an advantage to him and his Family, as you may ſee afterwards. This Indian Woman knew Capt. Church, and as ſoon as ſhe ſaw him held up both her hands and 〈◊〉 •• nning towards him, crying aloud, Church, Church, Church. Capt. Church bid her ſtop the reſt of the Indians, and tell them, The way to ſave their Lives was not to run, but yield themſelves Priſoners, and be would not kill them; ſo with her help, and Dillano's, who could call to them in their own Language, many of them ſtop'd and ſurrendred themſelves; others ſcampering and caſting away their baskets, &c. betook themſelves to the thickets, but Capt. Church being on Horſe-back ſoon came up with them, and laid hole on a Gun that was in the hand of one of the foremoſt of the company, pull'd it from him, and told him he muſt go back. And when he had turned them, he began to look about him to ſee where he was, and what was become of his Company, hoping they might be all as well imploy'd as himſelf, but could find none but Dillano, who was very buſy gathering up Priſoners; the Captain drove his that he had ſtop'd to the reſt, inquiring of Dillano for their Company, but could have no news of them. But moving back picked up now and then a skulking Priſoner by the way. When they came near the place where they firſt ſtarted the Indians, they diſcover'd their Company ſtanding in a body together, and had taken ſome few Priſoners; when they ſaw their Captain, they haſtened to meet him: They told him they found it difficult getting thro' the Swamp, and neither ſeeing nor hearing any thing of him, they concluded the Enemy had kill'd him, and were at a great loſs what to do. Having brought their Priſoners together they found they had taken and kill'd 66 of the Enemy. Capt. Church then ask'd the old Squaw, What company they belonged unto? She ſaid, They belonged part to Philip, and part to Qunnappin and the Narraganſet-Sachem, diſcovered alſo upon her declaration that both Philip and Qunnappin were about two Miles off in the great Cedar Swamp; he enquired of her, What company they had with them? She anſwered, Abundance of Indians: The Swamp, ſhe ſaid, was full of Indians from one end unto the other, that were ſettled there, that there were near an 100 men came from the Swamp with them, and left them upon that plain to gather Hurtle-berry's, and promiſed to call them as they came back out of Sconticut-Neck, whither they went to kill Cattel and Horſes for Proviſions for the company. She perceiving Capt. Church move towards the Neck, told him, If they went that way they would all be kill'd. He ask'd her, Where-about they croſs'd the River? She pointed to the upper paſſing place. Upon which Capt. Church paſſed over ſo low down as he thought it not probable they ſhould meet with his Track in their return; and haſtened towards the Iſland, where he left Little Eyes, with Light-foot. Finding a convenient place by the River ſide for the Securing their Priſoners, Capt Church, and Mr. Dillano went down to ſee what was become of Capt. Light-foot, and the Priſoners left in his charge. Light-foot ſeeing and knowing them, ſoon came over with his broken Canoo; and inform'd them, That he had ſeen that day about 100 Men of the Enemy go down into Sconticut Neck, and that they were now returning again: Upon which they three ran down immediately to a Meadow where Light-foot ſaid the Indians had paſſed; where they not only ſaw their Tracks, but alſo them: Where-upon they lay cloſe until the Enemy came into the ſaid Meadow, and the fore-moſt ſat down his load and halted until alſ the company came up, and then took up their loads & march'd again the ſame way that they came down into the Neck, which was the neareſt way unto their Camp; had they gone the other way along the River, they could not have miſſed Capt. Churches Track, which, would doubtleſs have expos'd them to the loſs of their Priſoners, if not of their lives. But as ſoon as the Coaſt was clear of them, the Captain ſends his Light-foot to fetch his Priſoners from the Iſland, while he and Mr. Dillano returns to the company, ſent part of them to conduct Light-foot & his company to the aforeſaid Meadow, where Capt. Church and his company met them; croſſing the Enemies Track they made all haſt, until they got over Mattapoiſet-river, near about ſour Miles beyond the ruines of Cooks Houſe, where he appointed to meet his Indian company, whither he ſent Dillano, with two more to meet them; ordering them, that if the Indians were not arrived, to wait for them. Accordingly, finding no Indians there, they waited until late in the Night, when they arrived with their booty. They diſpatch'd a Poſt to their Captain to give him an account of their Succeſs; but the day broke before they came to him: And when they had compared Succeſſes, they very remarkably found that the number that each Company had taken and ſlain, was equal. The Indians had kill'd 3 of the Enemy, and taken 63 Priſoners, as the Engliſh had done before them, both Engliſh and Indians were ſurpriz'd at this remarkable Providence, and were both parties rejoycing at it; being both-before afraid of what might have been the event of the unequal Succeſs of the parties. But the Indians had the fortune to take more Arms than the Engliſh. They told the Captain, That they had miſſed a brave Opportunity by parting; They came upon a g •• at Town of the Enemy, viz Capt. Tyasks company, (Tyasks was the next man to Philip) They fired upon the Enemy before they were diſcovered, and ran upon them with a ſhout; the Men ran and left their Wives and Children, and many of them their Guns: They took Tyasks Wife and Son, and th • 't that if their Captain & the Engliſh company had been with them they might have taken ſome hundreds of them: And now they determined not to part any more.

That Night Philip ſent (as afterwards they found out) a great Army to way-lay Capt. Church at the entring on of Aſſawompſet Neck, expecting he would have returned the ſame way he went in; but that was never his method to return the ſame way that he came; & at this time going another way he eſcaped falling into the hands of his Enemies. The next day they went home by Sapican, and got well with their Priſoners to Plymouth.

He ſoon went out again; and this ſtroke he drove many Weeks; and when he took any number of Priſoners, he would pick out ſome that he took a fancy to, and would tell them, He took a particular fancy to them, and had choſe them for himſelf to make Souldiers of; and if any would behave themſelves well, be would do well by them, and they ſhould be his men and not Sold out of the Country. If he perceived they look'd ſurly, and his Indian Souldiers call'd them treacherous Dogs, as ſome of them would ſometimes do, all the notice he would take of it, would only be to clap them on the back, and tell them, Come, come, yu •• k wild and ſurly, and mutter, but that ſignifies nothing, theſe my beſt Souldiers were a little while a go as wild and ſurly as you are now; by that time you have been but one day along with me, you'l love me too, and be as brisk as any of them. And it prov'd ſo. For there was none of them but (after they had been a little while with him, and ſee his behaviour, and how chearful and ſucceſsful his Men were) would be as ready to Pilot him to any place where the Indians dwelt or haunted (tho' their own Fathers or neareſt Relations ſhould be among them) or to fight for him, as any of his own Men.

Capt. Church was in two particulars much advantaged by the great Engiſh Army that was now abroad. One was, that they drove the Enemy down to that part of the Country, viz. to the Eaſtward of Taunton River by which means his buſineſs was nearer home. The other was that when ever he fell on with a puſh upon any body of the Enemy (were they never ſo many) they fled expecting the great Army. And his manner of Marching thro' the Woods was ſuch, as if he were diſcovered, they appeared to be more than they were. For the always Marched at a wide diſtance one from another, partly for their ſafety: and this was an Indian cuſtom, to March thin and ſcatter. Capt. Church inquired of ſome of the Indians that were become his Souldiers, How they got ſuch advantage often of the Engliſh in their Marches thro' the Woods? They told him, That the Indians gain'd great advantage of the Engliſh by two things; The Indians always took care in their Marches and Fights, not to come too thick together. But the Engliſh always kept in a heap together, that it was as eaſy to hit them as to hit an Houſe. The other was, that if at any time they diſcovered a company of Engliſh Souldiers in the Woods, they knew that there was all, for the Engliſh never ſcattered; but the Indians always divided and ſcattered.

Capt. Church now at Plymouth, ſomething or other happen'd that kept him at home a few days, until a Poſt came to Marſhfield on the Lords day Morning, informing the Governour that a great Army of Indians were diſcovered, who it was ſuppoſed were deſigning to get over the River towards Taunton or Bridgwater, to Attack thoſe Towns that lay on that ſide the River. The Governour haſtned to Plymouth, raiſed what Men he could by the way, came to Plymouth in the beginning of the forenoon Exerciſe; ſent for Capt. Church out of the Meeting-houſe, gave him the News, and deſired him immediately to Rally what of his Company he could; and what Men he had raiſed ſhould joyn them. The Captain beſtirs himſelf, but found no Bread in the Store-houſe, and ſo was fore'd to run from Houſe to Houſe to get Houſe-hold Bread for their March; but this nor any thing elſe prevented his Marching by the beginning of the afternoon Exerciſe; Marching with what Men were ready he took with him the Poſt that came from Bridgwater to Pilot him to the •• ace, where he tho'the might meet with the Enemy. In the Evening they heard a ſmart thing at a diſtance from them, but it being near Night, and the firing bu • of ſhort continuance, the miſs'd the place and went into Bridgwater Town. It ſeems, the occaſion of the firing, was, That Philip finding that Capt. Church made that ſide of the Country too hot for him, deſign'd to return to the other ſide of the Country that he came laſt from. And coming to Taunton River with his company, they fell'd a great Tree a-croſs the River for a Bridge to paſs over on: and juſt as Philips old Uncle Akkompoin, and ſome other of his chiefs were p •• ffing over the Tree, ſome brisk Bridgwater Lads, had Ambuſh'd them, fired upon them, and killed the old man, and ſeveral others, which put a ſtop to their coming over the River that Night.

Next Morning Capt. Church moved very early with his Company which was increaſed by many of Bridgwater that liſted under him for that Expedition, and by their Piloting, he ſoon came very ſtill, to the top of the great Tree which the Enemy had fallen a-croſs the River; and the Captain ſpy'd an Indian ſitting upon the ſtump of it on the other ſide of the River; and he clap'd his Gun up, and had doubtleſs diſpatch'd him, but that one of his own Indians called haſtily to him, Not to fire for he believed it was one of his own men; upon which the Indian upon the ſtump lock'd about, and Capt. Churbes Indian ſeeing his face perceived his miſtake, for he knew him to be Philip; clap'd up his Gun and fired, but it was too late, for Philip immediately threw himſelf off the ſlump, leap'd down a bank on the ſide of the River, and made his eſcape. Capt Church as ſoon as poſſible got over the River, and ſcattered in queſt of Phi •• p, and his company; but the Enemy ſcattered and ſled every way; but he pick'd up a conſiderable many of their Women and Children, among which was Philip's Wife, and Son of about Nine Years Old. Diſcovering a conſiderable new Track along the River, and examining the Priſoners, found that it was Qunn • ppin and the Narraganſets, that were drawing off from thoſe parts towarcs the Narraganſet Country, he inquired of the Priſoners, Wh • ther Philip were gone in the ſame Track? they told him, They did not know, for he ſled in a great fright when the firſt Engliſh Gun was fired, and they had none of them ſeen or heard any thing of him ſince. Capt. Church leſt part of his Company there to ſecure the Priſoners they got, and to pick up what more they could find; and with the reſt of his company haſted in the T • ack of the Enemy to over-take them, if it might be, before they got over the River, and ran ſome Miles along the River until he came unto a place where the Indians had waded over; and he with his Company waded over after them up to the Arm pits; being almoſt as wet before with Sweat as the River could make them: Following about a Mile further, and not overtaking them, and the Captain being under a neceſſity to return that Night to the Army, came to an halt, told his Company, he must return to his other men. His Indians Souldiers moved for leave to purſue the Enemy (tho' he return'd;) ſaid, The Narraganſets were great Rogues, and they wanted to be revenged on them for killing ſome of their Relations; named, T • kkam • ns (Awaſhonks Brother) and ſ • me others. Capt. Church bad them go & proſper, and made Light-foot their chief, and gave him the title of Captain, Bid • h • m go and quit themſelves like men. And away they ſcampered like ſo many Horſes. Next Morning early they returned to their Captain, and inf •• med him, T •• t th • y had come up with the Enemy, and ki • 'd ſeveral of them, and b •• g •• him T •••• en of them Friſon •• ; were mighty proud of their Exploit, and r • joyced much at the opportunity of avenging themſelves Capt. Church ſent the Priſoners to Bridgwater, and ſent out his Scouts to ſee what Enemies or Tracks they could, diſcovering ſome ſmall Tracks he follows them found where the Enemy had kindled ſome fires, and roaſted ſome • leſh &c. but had put out their fires and were gone. The Captain followed them by the Track, putting his Indians in the Front; ſome of which were ſuch as he had newly taken from the Enemy, and added to his Company. Gave them order to March ſoftly, and upon hearing a whiſtle in the Rear to ſit down, till further order. Or upon diſcovery of any of the Enemy to ſtop, for his deſign was, if he could, diſcover where the Enemy were, not to fall upon them (unleſs neceſſicated to do it) until next Morning. The Indians in the Front came up with many Women and Children, and others that were faint and tired, and ſo not able to keep up with the Company; theſe gave them an account that Philip with a great number of the Enemy were a little before. Capt, Churches Indians told the others. They were their Priſoners, but if they would ſubmit to order and be ſtill no one ſhould burt them They being their old acquaintance, they were eaſily perſwaded to conform. A little before Sun ſet there was a halt in the Front until the Captain came up, and they told him, They diſcovered the Enemy: He order'd them, to dog them and watch their motion till it was dark. But Philip ſoon came to a ſtop, and fell to breaking and chopping Wood, to make fires: and a great miſe they made. Capt. Church draws his company up into a ring, and ſat down in the Swamp without any noiſe or fire: The Indian Priſoners were much ſurprized to ſee the Engliſh Souldiers; but the Captain told them, If they would be quiet and not make any diſturbance or noiſe, they ſhould meet with civil treatment, but if they made any diſturbance, or offered to run, or make their eſcape, be would immediately kill them all; ſo they were very ſubmiſſive & obſequious. When the day broke Capt. Church told his Priſoners, That his Expedition was ſuch at this time that be could not afford them any guard: Told them, They would find it to be their intereſt to attend the orders he was now about to give them; which was, That when the fight was over, which they now expected; or as ſoon as the firing ceaſed, they muſt follow the Tracks of bis Company and come to them. (An Indian is next to a blood-hound to follow a Track.) He ſaid to them, It would be in vain for them to think of diſobedience, or to gain any thing by it, for he had taken and killed a great many of the Indian Rebels, and ſh • uld in a little time kill and take all the reſt, &c. By this time it began to be ſo light, as the time that he uſually choſe to make his on ſet. He moved ſending two Souldiers before to try if they could privately diſcover the Enemies poſtures. But very unhappily it ſell out, that the very ſame time Philip had ſent two of his as a Scout upon his own Track, to ſee if none dog'd them; who ſpy'd the two Indian men, and turn'd ſhort about, and ſled with all ſpeed to their Camp: and Capt Church purſued as faſt as he could; the two Indians ſet a yelling and howling, and made the moſt hideous noiſe they could invent, ſoon gave the Alarm to Philip & his Camp; who all ſled at the firſt tydings, left their Kittles boiling & Meat roaſting upon their wooden Spits, & run into a Swamp with no other Break-faſt, than what Capt. Church afterwards treated them with. Capt. Church purſuing, ſent Mr. Iſaac Howland with a party on one ſide of the Swamp, while himſelf with the reſt ran on the other-ſide, agreeing to run on each ſide, until they met on the further end▪ placing ſome men in ſecure Stands at that end of the Swamp where Philip entered, concluding that if they headed him and beat him back, that he would take back in his own Track. Capt. Church and Mr. Howland ſoon met at the further end of the Swamp (it not being a great one) where they met with a great number of the Enemy, well armed, coming out of the Swamp. But on ſight of the Engliſh they ſeemed very much ſurprized & tack'd ſhort. Capt. Church called haſtily to them, and ſaid, If they fired one Gun they were all dead men; for he would have them know: bat he bad them hem'd in, with a force ſufficient to command them; but if they peaceably ſurrender'd they ſhould have good quarter, &c. They ſeeing both Indians and Engliſh come ſo thick upon them, were ſo ſurprized that many of them •• ood ſtill and let the Engliſh come and take the Guns out of their hands, when they were both charged and cock'd. Many both Men, Women and Children of the Enemy were impriſoned at this time; while Philip, Tiſpaquin, T • toſon, &c. concluded that the Engliſh would purſue them upon their Tracks, ſo were way-laying their Tracks at the firſt end of the Swamp, hoping thereby to gain a ſhot upon Capt. Church who was now better imploy'd in taking his Priſoners & running them into a Valley, in form ſomething ſhap'd like a Punch-bole, and appointing a guard-of two files trible armed with Guns taken from the Enemy. But Philip having waited all this while in vain, now moves on after the reſt of his company to ſee what was become of them. And by this time Capt. Church was got into the Swamp ready to meet him; and as it happen'd made the firſt diſcovery, clapt behind a Tree until Philips company came pretty near, and then tired upon them, kill'd many of them, and a cloſe skirmiſh followed. Upon this Philip having grounds ſufficient to ſuſpect the event of his company that went before them, fled back upon his own Track; and coming to the place where the Ambuſh lay, they fired on each other, and one Lucus of Plymouth, not being ſo careful as he might have been about his Stand, was kill'd by the Indians. In this Swamp skirmiſh Capt. Church with his two men which always ran by his ſide as his guard, met with three of the Enemy, two of which ſurrendred themſelves, and the Captains guard ſeized them, but the other being a great ſtout ſurly fellow, with his two locks ty'd up with red and a great Rattle-ſnake skin hanging to the back part of his head, (whom Capt. Church concluded to be Totoſon) ran from them into the Sw • mp Capt C • urch in perſon purſued him cloſe, till coming pretty near up with him, preſented his Gun between his Shoulders, but it miſſing fire, the Indian perceiving it, turn'd and preſented at Capt. Church, and miſſing fire alſo; their Guns taking • et with the Fog and Dew of the Morning; but the Indian turning ſhort for another run, his foot trip'd in a ſmall grapevine, and he ſell fl • t on his face; Capt. Church was by this time up with him, and ſtruck the Muzzle of his Gun an inch and half into the back part of his head, which diſpatch'd him without another blow. But Capt. Church looking behind him ſaw Totoſon the Indian whom he tho't he had kill'd, come flying at him like a dragon: But this happened to be fair in ſight of the guard that were ſet to keep the Priſoners, who ſpying T • toſon and others that were following of him, in the very ſeaſonable juncture made a ſhot upon them, and reſcued their Captain; tho' he was in no ſmall danger from his friends bullets, for ſome of them came ſo near him that he tho't he felt the wind of them. The skirmiſh being over, they gathered their Priſoners together, and found the number that they had killed and taken was 173 (the Priſoners which they took over Night included) who after the skirmiſh came to them, as they were ordered.

Now having no Proviſions, but what they took from the Enemy, they haſtened to Bridgwater, ſending an expreſs before to provide for them, their Company being now very numerous. The Gentlemen of Bridgwater met Capt. Church with great expreſſion of honour and thanks, and received him and his Army with all due reſpect and kind treatment.

Capt. Church drove his Priſoners that Night into Bridgwater Pound, and ſet his Indian Souldiers to guard them. They being well treated with Victuals and drink, they had a merry Night; and the Priſoners laugh'd as loud as the Souldiers, not being ſo treated a long time before.

Some of the Indians now ſaid to Capt. Church, Sir, You have now mads Philip ready to dye, for you have made him as poor, and miſerable as be us'd to make the Engliſh; for you have now k • lled or taken all his Relations. That they believed he would now ſoon have his head, and that this bout had almoſt broke his heart.

The next day Capt Church moved and arrived with all his Priſoners ſafe at Plymouth. The great Engliſh Army were now at Taunton, and Maj. Talcot with the Connecticut Forces being in thoſe parts of the Country, did conſiderable ſpoil upon the Enemy.

Now Capt. Church being arrived at Plym • uth, received thanks from the Government for his good Service, &c. many of his S • uldiers were diſbanded; and he tho't to reft himſelf a while being much fategued and his health impared, by exceſſive hearts and colds, and wading thro' Rivers &c. But it was not long before he was call'd upon to Rally, upon advice that ſome of the Enemy were diſcovered in Dartmouth woods. He took his Indians, and as many Engliſh Volunteers as preſented, to go with him, and ſcattering into ſmall parcels. Mr. Jahez Howland (who was now, and often his Lieutenant and a worthy good Souldiers) had the fortune to diſcover and impriſon a parcel of the Enemy. In the Evening they met together at an appointed place, and by examining the Priſoners, they gain'd intelligence of Totoſons haunt; and being brisk in the Morning, they ſoon gain'd an advantage of Totoſons company, tho' he himſelf with his Son of about Eight Years old made their eſcape, and one old Squaw with them, to Agawom his own Country. But Sam Barrow, as noted a Rogue as any among the Enemy, fell into the hands of the Engliſh, at this time. Capt. Church told him, That becauſe of his inhumane Murders and Barbarities, the Court had allow'd him no quarter, but was to be forthwith put to Death, and therefore he was to prepare for 〈◊〉 . Barrow reply'd, That the Sentence of Death againſt him was juſt, and that indeed he was aſhamed to live any longer, and deſired no more favour than to Sm • ke a Whiff of Tobacco before his Execution. When he had taken a few Whiffs, he ſaid, He was ready; upon which one of Capt. Churches Indians ſunk his Hatchet into his Brains. The famous Totoſon arriving at Agaw • m, his Son which was the laft which was left of his Family (Capt. Church having deſtroyed all the reſt) ſell ſick: The wretch reflecting upon the miſerable condition he had bro't himſelf into, his heart became as a ſtone within him, and he dy'd. The old Squaw ſlung a few leaves and bruſh over him, and came into Sandwich, and gave this account of his death, and offered to ſhew them where ſhe leſt his body; but never had the opportunity, for ſhe immediately fell ſick and dy'd alſo.

Capt. Church being now at Pl • mouth again weary and worn, would have gone home to his Wife and Family, but the Government being Solicitous to ingage him in the Service until Philip was ſlain, and promiſing him ſatisfaction and redreſs for ſome miſtreatment that he had met with: He fixes for another Expedition; he had ſoon Volunteers enough to make up the Company he deſired and Marched thro' the Woods, until he came to Pocaſſet. And not ſeeing nor hearing of any of the Enemy, they went over the Ferry to Rhode-Iſland, to refreſh themſelves. The Captain with about half a 〈◊〉 in his company took Horſe & rid about eight Miles down the Iſland, 〈◊〉 Mr. Sanf • rds where he had left his Wife; who no ſooner ſaw him but fainted with the ſurprize; and by that time ſhe was a little revived, they ſpy'd two Horſe men corning a great pace. Capt. Church told his company that thoſe men (by their riding) came with Tydings. When they came up they prov'd to be Maj Sanford and Capt. Golding; who immediately ask'd Capt. Church, What be woud give to bear ſome News of Philip? He reply'd, That was what he wanted. They told him They had rid bard with ſome hopes of overtaking of him, and were now come on purp • ſe to inform him, That there was juſt now Tydings from Mount-hope; An Indian came down from thence (where Philips Camp now was) on to Sand point over againſt Trips, and hollow'd, and made ſigns to be fetch'd over; and being fetch'd over, be reported, That be was fled from Philip, who (ſaid he) has kill'd my Brother juſt before I came away, for giving ſome advice that diſpleaſed him. And ſaid, he was fled for fear of meeting with the ſame his Brother had met with. Told them alſo, That Philip was now in Mount-hope Nick. Capt. Church thank'd them for their good News, and ſaid, he hop'd by to Morrow Morning to have the Rogues head. The Horſes that he and his company came on ſtanding at the door, (for they had not been unſaddled) his Wife muſt content her ſelf with a ſhort viſit, when ſuch game was a-head; they immediately Mounted, ſet Spurs to their Horſes, and away. The two Gentlemen that bro't him the Tydings, told him, They would gladly wait upon him to ſee the event of this Expedition. He thank'd them, and told them, he ſhould be as fond of their company as any Mens; and (in ſhort) they went with him. And they were ſoon as Trips Ferry (with Capt Churches company) where the deſerter was; who was a fellow of good ſenſe, and told his ſtory handſomely: he offered Capt. Church to Pilot him to Philip, and to help to kill him, that he might revenge his Brothers death. Told him, That Philip was now upon a little ſpot of Upland that was in the South end of the miery Swamp juſt at the foot of the Mount, which was a ſpot of ground that Capt. Church was well acquainted with. By that time they were got over the Ferry, and came near the ground half the Night was ſpent, the Capt. commands a halt, and bringing the company together, he asked Maj Sanford & Capt. Goldings advice, what method was beſt to take in making the on-ſet, but they declining giving any advice, telling him, That his great Experience & Succeſs forbid their taking upon them to give advice. Then Capt. Church offered Capt. Golding, that he ſhould have the honour (if he would pleaſe to accept of it) to beat up Philips headquarters. He accepted the offer and had his alotted number drawn out to him, and the Pilot. Capt Churches inſtructions to him were to be very careful in his approach to the Enemy, and be ſure not to ſhew himſelf until by day light they might ſee and diſcern their own men from the Enemy. Told him alſo, That his cuſtom in the like caſes was to creep with his company on their bellies, until they came as near as they could; and that as ſoon as the Enemy diſcovered them they would cry out; and that was the word for his Men to fire and fall on. Directed him when the Enemy ſhould ſtart and take into the Swamp, they ſhould purſue with ſpeed, every man ſhouting and making what noiſe they could; for he would give orders to his Ambuſcade to fire on any that ſhould come ſilently. Capt. Church knowing it was Philips cuſtom to be fore-moſt in the flight, went down to the Swamp and gave Capt. Williams of Situate the command of the right wing of the Ambuſh, and placed and Engliſh-man and an Indian together behind ſuch ſhelters of Trees, &c. that he could find, and tock care to place them at ſuch diſtance as none might paſs undiſcovered between them, charg'd 'em to be careful of themſelves, and of hurting their friends: And to f •• e at any that ſhould come ſilently thro' the Swamp: But it being ſome-what further thro' the Swamp than he was aware of, he wanted men to make up his Ambuſcad • ; having placed what men he had he took Maj Sanford by the hand, ſaid, Sir, I have ſo placed them that us 〈◊〉 p •••• l • d Philip 〈…〉 them. The ſame moment a Shot whiſtled over their heads and then the noiſe of a Gun towards Philips Camp. Capt Church at firſt tho't it might be ſome Gun fired by accident: but before he could ſpeak, a whole Volley followed, which was earlier than he expected. One of Philips gang going forth to eaſe himſelf, when he had done, look'd round him, & Capt. Golding thought the Indian looked right at him (tho' probably 'twas but his conceit) ſo fired at him, and upon his firing, the whole company that were with him fired upon the Enemies ſhelter before the Indians had time to riſe from their ſleep, and ſo over-ſhot them But their ſhelter was open on that ſide ne • t the Swamp, built ſo on purpoſe for the convenience of flight on occaſion. They were ſoon in the Swamp and Philip the foremoſt, who ſtarting at the firſt Gun threw his Petunk and Powder horn over his head, catch'd up his Gun, and ran as faſt as he could ſcamper, without any more clothes than his ſmall breeches and ſtockings, and ran directly upon two of Capt. Churches Ambuſh; they let him come fair within ſhot, and the Engliſh mans Gun miſſing fire, he bid the Indian fire away, and he did ſo to purpoſe, ſent one Musket Bullet thro' his heart, and another not above two inches from it; he fell upon his face in the Mud & Water with his Gun under him. By his time the Enemy perceived they were way laid on the eaſt ſide of the Swamp, tack'd ſhort about. One of the Enemy who ſeem'd to be a great ſurly old fellow, hollow'd with a loud voice, & often called out, iootaſh, iootaſh, Capt. Church called to his Indian Peter and ask'd him, Who that was that called ſo? He anſwered, It was old Annowon Philips great Captain, calling on his Souldiers to ſtand to it and ſigh ſtoutly. Now the Enemy finding that place of the Swamp which was not Ambuſh'd, many of them made their eſcape in the Engliſh Tracks. The Man that had ſhot down Philip, ran with all ſpeed to Capt Church, and informed him of his exploit, who commanded him to be Silent about it, & let no man more know it, until they had drove the Swamp clean; but when they had drove the Swamp thro' & found the Enemy had eſcaped, or at leaſt the moſt of them; and the Sun now up, and ſo the dew gone, that they could not ſo eaſily Track them, the whole Company met together at the place where the Enemies Night ſhelter was; and then Capt. Church gave them the news of Philips death; upon which the whole Army gave Three loud Huzza's. Capt Church ordered his body to be pull'd out of the mire on to the Upland, ſo ſome of Capt. Churches Indians took hold of him by his Stockings, and ſome by his ſmall Breeches, (being otherwiſe naked) and drew him thro' the Mud unto the Upland, and a doleful, great, naked, dirty beaſt, he look'd like. Capt. Church then ſaid, That foraſmuch as be bad cauſed many an Engliſh mans body to lye unburied and ret above ground, that not me of bis bones ſhould be buried. And calling his old Indian Executioner, bid him behead and quarter him. Accordingly, he came with his Hatchet and ſtood ever him, but before he ſtruck he made a ſmall Speech directing it to Philip; and ſaid, He bad been a very great Man, and bad made many a man afraid of him, but ſo big as be was be would now chop bis Aß for him; and ſo went to work, and did as he was ordered. Philip having one very remarkable hand being much ſcarr'd, occaſioned by the ſplitting of a Piſtol in it formerly. Capt. Church gave the head and that hand to Alderman, the Indian who ſhot him, to ſhow to ſuch Gentlemen as would beſtow gratuities upon him; and accordingly he got many Peny by it. This being on the laſt day of the Week, the Captain with his Company returned to the Iſland, tarryed there until Tueſday; and then went off and ranged thro' all the Woods to Plym •• th, and received their Praemium, which was Thirty Shilling • per head, for the Enemies which they had killed or taken, inſtead of all Wages; and Philips head went at the ſame price. Methinks it's ſcanty reward and poor inconragement; tho' it was better than what had been ſome time before. For this March they received Four Shillings and Six Pence a Man, w •• was all the Reward they had, except the honour of killing Philip. T ••••• in the latter end of Auguſt, 1676

Capt. Church had been but a little while at Plymouth, before a Poſt from Reboboth came to inform the Government, that old Annawon, Philips chief Captain was with his company ranging about their Woods, & was very offenſive & pernicious to Reboboth & Swanſey. Capt. Church was immediately ſont for again, & treated with to ingage one Expedition more; he told them, Their incour • gement was ſo poor he feared his Souldier, would be dull about going again: But being a hearty friend to the cauſe, he Rally's again, goes to Mr. Jabeſh Howland his old Lieutenant, and ſome of his Souldiers, that us'd to go out with him; told them how the caſe was circumſtanced, and that he had intelligence of old Annawon's walk, & haunt, and wanted hands to hunt him; they did not want much intreating; but told him, They would go with him, as long as there was an Indian left in the Woods. He moved & ranged thro' the Woods to Pocaſſet. It being the latter end of the Week, he propoſed to go on to Rhode-Iſland and reſt until Monday. But early on the Lords day Morning, there came a Poſt to inform the Captain. That early the ſame Morning a Canon with ſeveral Indians in it paſſed from Prudence Iſland to Poppaſquaſh Neck. Capt. Church tho't if he could poſſibly ſurprize them, he might probably gain force intelligence of more game; therefore he made all poſſible ſpeed after them: the Ferry boat being out of the way he made uſe of Canoo's: But by that time they had made two fraights, and had got over the Captain, and about 15 or 16 of his Indians, the Wind ſprung up with ſuch violence that Canoo's could no more paſs. The Capt. ſeeing it was impoſſible for any more of his Souldiers to come to him, he told his Indians, If they were wi ••• g to go with him, be would go to Poppaſquaſh, and ſee if they could catch ſome of thoſe Enemy Indians. They were willing to go, but were ſorry they had no Engliſh Souldiers; ſo they March'd thro' the thickets that they might not be Diſcovered, until they came unto the Salt Meadow, to the Northward of Briſtol Town, that now is. Then they heard a Gun, the Capt. look'd about, not knowing but it might be ſome of his own Company in the rear; ſo halting till they all came up, he found 'twas none of his own Company that fired. Now tho' he had but a few Men, was minded to ſend ſome of them out on a Scom. He moved it to Capt. Light foot to go with three more on a Scout; he ſaid he was willing provided the Captains man Nathanael (which 〈◊〉 an Indian that they had lately taken) might be one of them, becauſe he was well acquainted with the Neck, and coming lately from among them, knew how to call them. The Capt. bid him chooſe his three companions, and go; and if they came a-croſs any of the Enemy not to kill them if they could poſſibly take them alive; that they might gain intelligence concerning Annawon. The Capt. with the reſt of his company moved but a little way further toward Poppaſquaſh, before they heard another Gun, which ſeemed to be the ſame way with the other, but further off. But they made no ha • until they came unto the narrow of Poppaſquaſh Neck; where Capt. Church left three men more, to watch if any ſhould come out of the Neck, and to inform the Scout when they returned which way he was gone. He parted the remainder of his company, half on one ſide of the Neck, and the other with himſelf went on the other ſide of the Neck, until they met; and meeting neither with Indians nor Canoo's returned big with expectations of Tydings by their Scout: But when they came back to the three men at the arrow of the Neck, they told their Captain the Scout was not returned, had heard not ſeen any thing of them, this fill'd them with tho'ts what ſhould become of them; by that time they had ſat down & waited an hour longer, it was very dark, and they deſpaired of their • e • urning to them. Some of the Indians told their Captain, I boy feared his new man Nathanael had met with bis old Mount hope friends, and was turned Rogu • . They concluded to make no fires that Night, (and indeed they had no great need of any) for they had no Victuals to cook, had not ſo much as a morſel of Bread with them. They took up their lodging ſcattering, that if poſſibly their Scout ſhould come in the Night, and whiſtle (which was their ſign) ſome or other of them might hear them. They had a very ſolitary, hungry Night; and as ſoon as the day broke they drew off thro' the bruſh to 〈◊〉 hill without the Neck, and looking about them they eſpy'd one Indian man come running ſome what towards them, the Captain ordered one man to ſtep out of the bruſh and ſhow himſelf. Upon which the Indian ran right to him, and who ſhould it be but Capt. Lightfoot, to their great joy. Capt. Church ask'd him, What News? He anſwered, Good News, they were all well and bad catch'd Ten Indians, and that they guarded them all Night in one of the Flanker; of the old Engliſh Garriſon; that their Priſoners were part of Annawons company, and that they had left their Families in a Swamp above Mattapoiſet Neck. And as they were Marching towards the old Garriſon Lightfoot gave Capt. Church a particular account of their Exploit viz. That preſently after they left him, they heard another Gun, which ſeem'd to be towards the Indian burying place, & moving that way, they diſcovered two of the Enemy fleeing of an Horſe. The Scout claping into the bruſh, Nathanael bid them ſit down, and he would preſently call all the Indians thereabout unto him. They bid, and be went a little diſtance back from them and ſat up his no • e & bowled like a Wolf: One of the two immediately left his Horſe & came running to ſee who was there; but Nathanael bowling lower and lower drew him in between thoſe that lay in wait for him, who ſeized him; Nathanael continuing the ſame note, the other left the Horſe alſo following his mate, & met with the ſame. When they caught theſe two they examined them apart, and found them to agree in their Story, that there were Eight more of them come down into the Neck to get Proviſions, and bad agreed to meet at the burying place that evening. Theſe two being ſome of Nathanaels old acquaintance, be had great influence upon there, and with bis intiting Story, (telling what a brave Captain be had, how bravely he lived ſince be had been with him, & how much they might better their condition by •••• ing to h • m, &c.) perſwaded and ingaged them to be on his ſide, which indeed now began to be the better ſide of the bedge. They waited but alittle while before they eſpy'd the reſt of theirs coming up to the burying place, and Nathanael ſoon bowl'd them in as be had done their wates before. When Capt. Church came to the Garriſon, he met his Lientenant and the reſt of his Company; and then making up good fires they fell to roaſting their Horſe-beaſ, enough to laſt them the whole day, but had not a morſal of Bread; tho' Salt they had which they always carryed in their Pockets, which at this time was very acceptable to them. Their next motion was towards the place where the Priſoners told them they had left their Women and Children, and ſurprized them all, and ſome others that were newly come to them. And upon examination they held to one Story that it was hard to tell where to find Annawon, for he never rooſted twice in a place. Now a certain Indian Souldier that Capt. Church had gain'd one. • be on his ſide, pray'd that he might have liberty to go and fetch in his Father, who he ſaid was about four Miles from that place, in a Swamp with no other than one Young Squaw; Capt. Church inclined to go with him, thinking it might be in his way to gain ſome intelligence of Annawon; and ſo •• king one Engliſh Man and a few Indians with him leaving the reſt there, he went with his new Souldier to look his Father; when he came to the Swamp, he bid the Indian go ſee if he could find his Father: he was no ſooner gone but Capt. Church diſcover'd a Track coming down out of the Woods, upon which he and his little company lay cloſe ſome on one ſide of the Track & ſome on the other. They heard the Indian Souldier make a howling for his Father; and at length ſome body anſwered him, but while they were liſtening, they thought they heard ſome body coming towards them, preſently ſaw an old man coming up with a Gun on his Shoulder, and a young Woman following of him, in the Track which they lay by: They let them come up between them, and then ſtarted up and laid hold on them both. Capt. Church immediately examined them a part, telling them, What they muſt truſt too if they told falſe Stories: He ask'd the young Woman, What company they came laſt from? She ſaid, from Capt. Annawons. He asked her, How many were in company with him when ſhe left him? She ſaid, 50 or 60. He ask'd her, How many Miles it was to the place where ſhe left him? She ſaid, She did not underſtand Miles, but he was up in Squannaconk Swamp? The old man who had been one of Philips Council, upon examination, gave exactly the ſame account. Capt. Church ask'd him, If they could get there that Night? He ſaid, If they went preſently and travelled ſtoutly, they might get there by Sunſet. He ask'd, Whither he was going? He anſwered, That Annawon had ſent him down to look for ſome Indians, that were gone down into Mount-hope Neck to kill Proviſions: Capt. Church let him know that thoſe Indians were all his Priſoners. By this time came the Indian Souldier & brought his Father and one Indian more. The Captain was now in great ſtraight of mind what to do next he had a mind to give Annawon a viſit, now knew where to find him, but his company was very ſmall, but half a dozen men beſide himſelf, and was under a neceſſity to ſend ſome body back to acquaint his Lieutenant & company with his proceedings. However he asked his ſmall company that were with him, Whither they would willingly go with him and give Annawon a viſit: They told him, They were always ready to obey his commands. 〈◊〉 • ut withal told him, That they knew this Capt. Annawon was a great Souldier; that he had been a valia it Captain under Aſuhmequn, Philips Father, and that he had been Philips Chieftain all this War; a very ſubtle man, and of great reſolution, and had often ſaid, that he would never be taking alive by the Engliſh; and moreover they knew that the men that were with him were reſolute fellows, ſome of Philips chief Soulders; and therfore feared whether it was practicable to make an attempt upon him with ſo ſmall a ••• dful of aſſiſtants as now •• ure with him. Toll him further, That he would be a pict • that after all the Great Things be had done, be ſhould throw away his Life at laſt. &c. Upon which he replyed. That he doubted not Annawon was a ſubtle & valiant Man: that he had along time but in vain ſought for him, and never till now could find his quarters and he was very loth to miſs of the opp • rtunity; and doubt not but that if they would chearfully go with him the ſame Almighty Providence the • had hitherto protected and befriended them would do ſo ſtill, &c. Upon this with one conſent they ſaid, They would go. Capt. Church then turned to one Cock of Plymouth, (the only Engliſh Man then with him) and ask'd him, What he thought of it? Who replyed, Sir, I am never afraid of going any where when you are with me. Then Capt. Church asked the old Indian, if he could carry his Horſe with him? (for he conveyed a Horſe thus far with him:) He reply'd that it was impoſſible for an Horſe to paſs the Swamps. Therefore he ſent away his new Indian Souldier with his Father and the Captains Horſe to his Lieutenant, and orders for him to move to Taunton with the Priſoners, to ſecure them there, and to come 〈◊〉 in the Morning in the Rehoboth Road, in which he might expect to meet him, if he were alive and had ſucceſs. The Captain then asked the old fellow, if he would Pilot him unto Annawon? He anſwered, that he having given him his life he was obliged to ſerve him. He bid him move on then, and they followed: The old man would out-travel them, ſo far ſometimes that they were almoſt out of ſight: looking over his Shoulder and ſeeing them behind, he would halt. Juſt at the Sun was ſetting, the old man made a fall ſtop and ſat down, the company coming up alſo ſat down, being all weary. Capt. Church asked, What News? He anſwered. That about that time in the Evening Capt. Annawon, ſent out his Scouts to ſee if the Coaſt were clear, and as ſoon as it began to grow dark the Scouts return. And then (ſaid he) we may move again ſecurely. When it began to grow dark the old man ſtood up again, Capt. Church asked him, if he would take a Gun and fight for him? He bowed very low and pray'd him not to impoſe ſuch a thing upon him, as to fight againſt Capt. Annawon his old friend. But ſayes he, I will go along with you, and be helpful to you, and will lay hands on any man that ſhall offer to hurt you. It being now pretty dark they moved cloſe together; anon they heard a noiſe, the Captain ſtay'd the old man with his hand, and asked his own men what noiſe they thought it might be? they concluded it to be the poundding of a Mortar. The old man had given Capt. Church a deſcription of the Place where Annowon now lay, and of the Difficulty of getting at him: being ſenſible that they were pretty near them, with two of his Indians he creeps to the edge of the Rocks, from whence he could ſee their Camps: he ſaw three companies of Indians as a little diſtance from each other, being eaſy to be diſcovered by the light of their fires. He ſaw alſo the great Annawon and his company, who had formed his Camp or Kennelling place, by falling a Tree under the ſide of the great clefts of Rocks, and ſitting a row of birch buſhes up againſt it, where he himſelf, and his Son, and ſome of his chiefs had taken up their lodging, and made great fires without them, and had their Pots and Kittles boiling, and Spits roaſting. Their Arms alſo he diſcovered, all ſet together in a place fitted for the purpoſe 〈…〉 an end againſt a ſtick lodged in two crotches, and a Mat placed over them, to keep them from the wet or dew. The old Annawons feet and his Sons head were ſo near the Arms as almoſt to touch them: But the Rocks were ſo treep that it was impoſſible to get down, but as they lowered themſelves by the bows, and the buſhes that grew in the cracks of the Rock. Capt. Church creeping back again to the old man, asked him If there was no poſſibility of getting at them ſome other way? He anſwered, no. That he and all that belonged to Annawon were ordered to come that way, and none could come any other way without difficulty or danger of being ſhot. Capt. Church then ordered the old man and his daughter to go down fore moſt with their baskets at their backs, that when Annawon ſaw them with their baskets he ſhould not miſtruſt the intregue; Capt. Church and his handful of Souldiers crept down alſo under the ſhadow of theſe two and their baskets, and the Captain himſelf crept cloſe behind the old man, with his Hatchet in his hand, and ſtep'd over the young mans head to the Arms, the young Annawon diſcovering of him, whip'd his blanket over his head and ſhrunk up in a heap: The old Capt. Annawon ſtarted up on his breech, and cryed out Howoh, and deſpairing of eſcape throw himſelf back again, and lay ſilent until Capt. Church had ſecured all the Arms, &c. And having ſecured that company, he ſent his Indian Souldiers to the other fires & companies, giving them inſtructions, what to do and ſay. Accordingly, they went into the midſt of them: When they diſcovered themſelves who they were, told them that their Capt. Annawon was taken, and it would be beſt for them quietly and peaceably to ſurrender themſelves, which would procure good quarter for them: Otherwiſe if they ſhould pretend to reſiſt or make their eſcape, it would be in vain, and they could expect no other but that Capt. Church with his great Army, who had now entrap'd them, would cut them to pieces: told them alſo if they would ſubmit themſelves, and deliver up all their Arms unto them, and keep every man his place until it was day; they would aſſure them that their Capt. Church who had been ſo kind to themſelves when they ſurrendred to him, ſhould be as kind unto them. Now they being old acquaintance, and many of them Relations did much the readier give heed to what they ſaid, and complyed & ſurrendred up their Arms unto them, both their Guns and Hatchets &c. and were forthwith carryed to Capt. Church. Things being ſo far ſettled, Capt. Church asked Annawon, What he had for Supper, for (ſaid he) I am come to Sup with you. Tanbut (ſaid Annawon) with a big voices, and looking about upon his Women, bid them haſten and get Capt. Church and his company ſome Supper; then turned to Capt. Church and asked him, Whether he would eat Cow-beaf or Horſe beaf. The Captain told him Cow-beaf would be moſt acceptable: It was ſoon got ready, and pulling his little bag of Salt out of his Pocket, which was all the Proviſion he brought with him; this ſeaſon'd his Cow beaf ſo that with it and the dry'd green-corn, which the old Squaw was pounding in the Mortar, while they were ſliding down the Rocks, he made a very hearty Supper. And this pounding in the Mortar proved lucky for Capt. Churches getting down the Rocks, for when the old Squaw pounded they moved, and when ſhe ceaſed to turn the corn, they ceaſed creeping, the noiſe of the Mortar prevented the Enemies hearing their creeping: and the corn being now dreſſed ſupplyed the want of Bread, and gave a fine reliſh with the Cow-beaf. Supper being over, Capt. Church ſent two of his men to inform the other companies, that he had killed Philip, and had taken their friends in Mount-hope Neck, but had ſpared their lives, and that he had ſubdued now all the Enemy (he ſuppoſed) excepting this company of Annawons, and now if they would be orderly and keep their places until Morning, they ſhould have good quarter, and that he would carry them to Taunton, where they might ſee their friends again, &c. The Meſſengers return'd, that the Indians yielded to his propoſals. Capt. Church tho't it was now time for him to take a Nap, having had no ſleep in two days and one night before; told his men that if they would let him ſleep two hours, they ſhould ſleep all the reft of the night. He lay'd himſelf down and endeavoured to ſleep, but all diſpoſition to ſleep departed from him. After he had lain a little while he looked up to ſee how his Watch managed, but found them all faſt a-ſleep. Now Capt. Church had told Capt, Annawons company as he had ordered his Indians to tell the others, that their lives ſhould all be ſpared, excepting Capt. Annawons, and it was not in his power to promiſe him his life, but he muſt carry him to his Maſters at Plymouth, and he would intreat them for his life. Now when Capt. Church found not only his own men, but all the Indians faſt a-ſleep Annawon only excepted, whom he perceived was as broad awake as himſelf; and ſo they lay looking one upon the other perhaps an hour; Capt. Church ſaid nothing to him, for he could not ſpeak Indian, and tho't Annawon could not ſpeak Engliſh; at length Annawon raiſed himſelf up, caſt off his blanket, and with no more clothes than his ſmall breeches, walked a little way back from the company: Capt. Church tho't no other but that he had occaſion to eaſe himſelf, and ſo walked to ſome diſtance rather than offend him with the ſtink: but by and by he was gone out of ſight and hearing; and then Capt. Church began to ſuſpect ſome ill deſign in him, and got all the Guns cloſe him, and crouded himſelf cloſe under young Annawon, that if he ſhould any where get a Gun he ſhould not make a ſho •• him without indangering his Son; lying very ſtill a while waiting for the event: at length, he heard ſome body, coming the ſame way that Annawon went. The Moon now ſhining bright, he ſaw him at a diſtance coming with ſomething in his hands, and coming up to Capt. Church, he fell upon his knees before him, and offer'd him what he had bro't, and ſpeaking in plain Engliſh, ſaid, Great Captain, you have killed Philip, and conquered his Country for I believe, that I & my company are the laſt that War againſt the Engliſh, ſo ſuppoſe the War is ended by your means; and therefore theſe things belong unto you. Then opening his pack, he pull'd out Philip: belt curiouſly wrought with Wompom, being Nine inches broad, wrought with black and white Wompom, in various figures and flowers, and pictures of many birds and beaſts. This when hung upon Capt. Churches ſhoulders it reach'd his ancles. And another belt of Wompom he preſented him with, wrought after the former manner, which Philip was wont to put upon his head; it had two flags on the back part which hung down on his back: and another ſmall belt with a Star upon the end of it, which he uſed to hang on his breaſt; and they were all edg'd with red hair, which Annawon ſaid they got in the Muhhogs Country. Then he pulled out two horns of glazed Powder, and a red cloth Blanket: he told Capt. Church, theſe were Philips Royalties which he was wont to adorn himſelf with when he ſat in State. That the tho't himſelf happy that he had an opportunity to preſent them to Capt. Church, who had won them, &c. ſpent the remainder of the night in diſcourſe; and gave an account of what mighty ſucceſs he had formerly in Wars againſt many Nations of Indians, when ſerved Aſu • mequin, Philips Father, &c. In the Morning as ſoon as it was light, the Captain March'd with his Priſoners out of that Swampy Country towards Taunton, met his Lieutenant and Company, about four Miles out of Town, who expreſſed a great deal of joy to ſee him again, and ſaid, 'twas more than ever he expected. They went into Taunton, were civily and kindly treated by the Inhabitants, refreſhed and refted themſelves that night. Early next Morning, the Captain took old Annawon, and half a dozen of his Indian Souldiers, and his own man, and went to Rhode-Iſland, ſending the reft of his Company and his Priſoners by his Lieutenant to Plymouth. Tarrying two or three days upon the Iſland, he then went to Plymouth, and carryed his Wife and his two Children with him.

Capt. Church had been but a little while at Plymouth, before he was informed of a parcel of Indians, that haunted the Woods between Plymouth and Sippican that did great damage to the Engliſh in killing their Cattel, Horſes, and Swine; and the Captain was ſoon in purſuit of them: Went out from Plymouth the next Monday in the afternoon; next Morning early they diſcovered a Track; the Captain ſent two Indians on the Track to ſee what they could diſcover, while he and his Company followed gently after, but the two Indians ſoon returned with Tydings that they had diſcovered the Enemy ſitting round their fires, in a thick place of bruſh. When they came pretty near the place, the Captain ordered every man to creep as he did; and ſurround them by creeping as near as they could, till they ſhould be diſcovered, and then to run on upon them and take them alive, if poſſible, (for their Priſoners were their pay:) They did ſo, took every one that was at the fires, not one eſcaping. Upon examination they agreed in their Story, that they belonged to Tiſpaquin, who was gone with John Bump, and one more, to Agawom and Sippican to kill Horſes, and were not expected back in two or three days. This ſame Tiſpaquin had been a great Captain, and the Indians reported that he was ſuch a great Pouwau, that no bullet could enter him, &c. Capt. Church ſaid, He would not have him killed, for there was a War broke out in the Eaſtern Part of the Country, and he would have him ſaved to go with them to fight the Eaſtern Indians. Agreeably he left two old Squaws of the Priſoners, and bid them tarry there until their Capt. Tiſpaquin returned, and to tell him, that Church had been there, and had taken his Wife, Children, and company, and carryed them down to Plymouth; and would ſpare all their lives, and his too, if he would come down to them and bring the other two that were with him, and they ſhould be his Souldiers, &c. Capt. Church then returned to Plymouth, leaving the old Squaws well provided for, and Bisket for Tiſpaquin when he returned: Telling his Souldiers, that he doubted not but he had laid a Trap that would take him Capt. Church two days after went to Boſton; (the Commiſſioners then ſitting) and waited upon the Honourable Governour Leverett, who then lay Sick; who requeſted of Capt. Church to give him ſome account of the War: who readily obliged his Honour therein, to his great Satisfaction, as he was pleaſed to expreſs himſelf; taking him by the hand, and telling him, if it pleaſed God he lived, he would make it a brace of a hundred pounds advantage to him out of the Maſſachuſetts Colony, and would endeavour the reft of the Colonies ſhould do Proportionably; but he dyed within a Fortnight after, and ſo nothing was done of that nature. The ſame day Tiſpaquin came in and thoſe that were with him, but when Capt. Church return'd from Boſton, he found to his grief that the heads of Annawon, Tiſpaquin, &c. cut off, which were the laſt of Philips friends. The General Court of Plymouth then ſitting ſent for Capt. Church who waited upon them accordingly, and received their Thanks for his good Service, which they Unanimouſly Voted, which was all that Capt. Church had for his aforeſaid Service.

Afterwards in the Year 1676. in the Month of January Capt. Church received a Commiſſion from Governour Winſlow, to Scoure the Woods of ſome of the lurking Enemy, which they were well informed were there. Which Commiſſion is as follows:

Accordingly Capt. Church accompanied with ſeveral Gentlemen and others went out, and took divers parties of Indians; and in one of which Parties there was a certain old man whom Capt. Church ſeem'd to take particular notice of, and asking him where he belonged, who told him to Swanzey; the Captain ask'd his name, who replyed, his name was Conſcience; Conſcience ſaid the Captain (ſmiling) then the War is over, for that was what they were ſearching for, it being much wanting; and then returned the ſaid Conſcience to his Poſt again at Swanzey, to a certain perſon the ſaid Indian deſired to be Sold to, and ſo return'd home.