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

RELATION. II.

Mehetahel Goodwin, being a Captive among the Indians, had with her a Child about Five Months old; which through' Hunger & Hardship, she being unable to nourish, it often made most grievous Ejulations. Her Indian Master told her, that if the Child were not quiet, he would soon dispose of it; which caused her to use all possible means, that his Netop ship might ⟨p. 53⟩not be offended; and sometimes carry it from the Fire, out of his Hearing, where she sat up to the was•, in Snow and Frost, for several Hours, until •t was Lulled asleep. She thus for several […] preserved the Life of her Babe until he saw cause to Travel, with his own Cubs ▪ farther afield; and then, lest he should be Retarded in his Travel, he violently Snatched the Babe out of it's Mothers Arms, and before her Face knocked out its Brains, and stripped it of the Few Rag• it had hitherto Enjoyed, and ordered her the Task, to go wash the Bloody Clothes. Returning from this Melancholy Task, She found the Infant hanging by the Neck, in a Forked Bough of a Tree. She desired leave to lay it in the Earth; out he said, It was better as it was, for now the Wild Beasts would not come at it, [I am sure, they had been at it!] and she might have the Comfort of seeing it again, if ever they came that way. The Journey now before them, was like to be very long, even as far as Canada, where his purpose was to make Merchandise of his Captive, and glad was the Captive of such happy Tidings. But the Desperate length of the way, and want of Food, and grief of Mind, wherewith she now encountered, caused her within a few Days to faint under her Difficulties. When at length, she sat down for some Repose, with many Prayers, and Tears unto God, for the Salvation of her Soul, she found her self unable to Rise, until she espied her Furious Executioner