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

When the Indians at last perceived that the New Englanders were upon a Likely Design to Swallow up the French Territories, the Prospect of it began to have the same Operation upon them, that the Success of the Design, would have made Perpetual; that is, to Dispirit them, for giving the New Englanders any further Molestations. Nevertheless, Before and Until, ⟨p. 65⟩they were thoroughly Advised of what was a doing, and likely to be done, they did molest the Country with some Tragical Efforts of their Fury. Captain James Convers was Marching through the vast Wilderness, to Albany, with some Forces, which the Massachusetts Colony were willing to send by Land (besides what they did send by Sea unto Quebec,) for the Assistance of the Army, in the West, that was to go from thence over the Lake, and there fall upon Mount Real ▪ but unhappy Tidings out of the East required the Diversion of those Forces thither. About the Beginning of May, the French and Indians, between Four and Five Hundred, were seen at Casco, in a great Fleet of Canoe's passing over the Bay: but not Seeing or Hearing any more of them, for Two or Three Weeks together, the Casconians flattered themselves with Hopes, That they were gone another way. But about May 16. those Hopes were over; For one Gresson, a Scotchman, then going out Early, fell into the mouths of these Hungry Salvages. It proved no kindness to Casco, tho' it proved a great one to himself, that a Commander so qualified, as Captain Willard, was called off, Two or Three Days before. But, The Officers of the place, now concluding, that the whole Army of the Enemy, were watching for an Advantage to Surprise the Town, Resolved that they would keep a Strict watch▪ for Two or Three days, to make some further ⟨p. 66⟩Discovery, before they •alley'd forth. Notwithstanding this, one Lieut. Clark, with near Thirty of their Stoutest young men, would venture out, as far as the Top of an Hill, in the Entrance of the Wood, half a mile distant from the Town. The out let from the Town to the […], was through' a Lane, that had a Fence on each […], which had a certain Block house at one End […]: and the English were Suspicious, when […] came to Enter the Lane, that the Indians were […] behind the Fence, because the Cattle stood staring that way, and would not pass into the Wood as they use to do. This mettlesome Company, then ran up to the Fence, with an, Huzzah!