They remained under cover, discharging their arrows from behind, to the great annoyance of t?ie Dutch troops. Underbill now seeing no other way to overcome the obstinate resistance of the foe, gave orders to fire their huts. This order was forthwith obeyed ; the wretched inmates, endeavoring in every way, to escape from the horrid flames, but mostly without success. The moment they made their appearance, they rushed or were driven precipitately back into their burning hovels, ' preferring to be consumed by fire than to fall by our weapons.'

"In this merciless manner were butchered, as some of the Indians afterwards reported, five hundred human beings. Others carry the number to seven hundred ; 'the Lord having collected the most of onr enemies there, to celebrate some peculiar festival.'

" Of the whole party, no more than eight men escaped this terrible slaughter by fire and sword. Three of these were badly wounded. Throughout the entire carnage, not one of the sufferers-- -man, woman or child, was heard to utter shriek or moan.

" This expedition having been thus crowned with complete success, the wounded, fifteen in number, Vv^ere attended to, and sentinels posted to prevent surprise. Large fires were then kindled, as the weather was still excessively cold, and the conquerors bivouacked during the remainder of the night, on the field of battle. They set out next morning on their return in good order, ' marching with great courage over that harrassing mountain, the Lord enduing the w^ounded with extraordinary strength,' and arrived at Stamford at noon, after a march of two days and one night, during which they had little repose and less comfort. The English received the soldiers with friendly hospitality, proffering them every possible kindness. Two days afterwards the detachment arrived at Fort Amsterdam, where a public thanks-giving was ordered for