A relation of the troubles which have happened in New-England, by reason of the…A relation of the troubles which have hapned in New-England, by reason of the…

In the first place they endeavoured to play Leger de main in their sending Hostages▪ For instead of Sachems Children▪ they thought to send some other, and to make the English believe that those base papooses, were of a royal progeny, but they had those to deal with, who were too wise to be so eluded. After the expected Hostages, were in the hands of the English, the Narragansets notwithstanding that, were flow in the performance of what they stood engaged for. And when upon a partial discharge of the debt, their Hostages were restored to them, they become more backward than formerly, until they were by hostile preparations again and again terrified into better obedience. At last Major Atherton, (then Capt. Atherton) of Dorchester was sent with a small party of English Soldiers to demand what was due. He at first entered into the Wigwam, where old Ninnigret (the Nyantick Sachem) resided, with only two or three Soldiers, appointing the rest by degrees to follow him, two or three dropping in at once, when his small Company were come about him that Indians in the mean time supposing that there had been many more behind, he caught the Sachem by the hair of his head, and set a pistol to his breast, protesting who ever escaped, he should surely die, if he did not forthwith comply with what was required. Hereupon a great trembling and Consternation surprised the Indians, albeit multitudes of them were then present, with spiked arrows at their Bow-strings ready to lot fly. The event was, the Indians ⟨p. 60⟩submitted, and not one drop of blood was shed. Nor was there (so far as I am informed) after this any open discovery of enmity in the Narragansets against the English until such time as Philip began his his great Rebellion. Yet it is evident that there hath been treachery, and secret Treason against the English, amongst them.

In the first place they endeavoured to play Leger de main in their sending Hostages▪ For instead of Sachems Children▪ they thought to send some other, and to make the English believe that those base pap•oses, were of a royal progeny, but they had those to deal with, who were too wise to be so eluded. After the expected Hostages, were in the hands of the English, the Narragansets notwithstanding that, were flow in the performance of what they stood engaged for. And when upon a partial discharge of the debt, their Hostages were restored to them, they become more backward than formerly, until they were by hostile preparations again and again terrified into better obedience. At last Major Atherton, (then Capt. Atherton) of Dorchester was sent with a small party of English Souldiers to demand what was due. He at first entred into the Wigwam, where old Ninnigret (the Nyantick Sachim) resided, with only two or three Souldiers, appointing the rest by degrees to follow him, two or three dropping in at once, when his small Company were come about him that Indians in the mean time supposing that there had been many more behind, he caught the Sachim by the hair of his head, and set a pistol to his breast, protesting who ever escaped, he should surely dy, if he did not forthwith comply with what was required. Hereupon a great trembling and Consternation surprized the Indians, albit multitudes of them were then present, with spiked arrows at their Bow-strings ready to lot fly. The event was, the Indians