Decennium luctuosum. An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath…

ARTICLE. II. The first Acts of Hostility, between the Indians, and the English.

When one Capt. Sergeant had Seized some of the principal Indians about Saco, by order of Justice Blackman, presently the Indians fell to Seizing as many of the English, as they could catch. Capt. Rowden, with many more, in one place, and Capt. Gendal, with sundry more, in another place, particularly fell into the Hands of these desperate Man catchers. Rowden, with many of his Folks, never got out of their ⟨p. 23⟩Cruel Hands: but Gendal with his, got a Release, one can scarce tell, How, upon the Return of those which had been detained in Boston. Hitherto there was no Spilling of Blood! But some Time in September following, this Capt. Gendal, went up, with Soldiers and others, to a place above Casco, called, North Yarmouth; having Orders to build Stookado•s, on both sides the River, for Defence of the place, in case of any Sudden Invasion. While they were at work, an English Captive came to 'em, with Information, that Seventy or Eighty of the Enemy were just coming upon 'em: and he advised 'em, To yield quietly, that they might Save their Lives. The Soldiers that went thither from the Southward, being terrified at this Report, Ran with an Hasty Terror to get over the River; but with more Hast, than Good Speed; for they ran directly into the Hands of the Indians. The Indians dragging along these their Prisoners with 'em, came up towards the Casconians; who, having but a very Little Time to Consult, yet in this Time Resolved; First, That they would not be Seized by the Salvages; Next, That they would free their Friends out of the Hands of the Salvages, if it were possible; Thirdly, That if it were possible, they would use all other Force upon the Salvages, without coming to down right Fight. Accordingly, They laid hold on their Neighbours, whom the Salvages had Seized, and this with so much Dexterity, that ⟨p. 24⟩they cleared them all, Except one or Two; whereof the whole Number was about a Dozen. But in the Scuffle, one Sturdy and Surly Indian, held his prey so fast, that one Benedict Pulcifer, gave the Mastiff a Blow, with the Edge of his Broad Axe upon the Shoulder, upon which they fell to't with a Vengeance, and Fired their Guns, on both sides, till some on both sides were Slain. These were, as one may call them, The Scour-pit, of a long War to follow. At last, the English, Victoriously chased away the Salvages, and Returned safely unto the other side of the River.