He was sarry that twenty Christians had not been immolated ; the Indian had but avenged, after the manner of his race, the murder of a relative whom the Dutch had slain nearly twenty years before. On receipt of this answer, armed parties were sent out to retaliate, but they returned, having effected nothing,"*^ - /
Aug. 29, I641y it was proposed to wait -'until the hunting season, when it was suggested that two expeditions should be got np ; one to land in the neighborhood of the ' Archipelago,' or Norwalk Island -- the other, at Weckquaskeck."
Notwithstanding the impatience of Kieft to attack the Weckquaskecks, he could not obtain the consent of his council until Feb. IS, 1642. Having now received their sanction, " he ordered Hendri^ck Van Dyck, ensign in the Company's service, who had been already over two years stationed at New Amsterdam, to proceed with a force of eighty men against the Weckquaskecks, to execute summary vengeance upon that tribe, with fire and sword. >■ 'i *^ '^- '•
To ensure complete success, the expedition was placed under the direction of a trusty guide, who professed to be intimately acquainted with the homes and haunts of the savages. This party started in the fore part of March, and pushed actively forward towards the Indian village ; but fortune favored the red man. The night set in clouded and dark; and when the expedition reached Armenperal,'^ Van Dyck called a halt, notwithstanding the entreaties of his men to push on, ere the savages