The Indians were fully sensible of what they had to dread from such an adversary, and accordingly betook tiiemselves to a course not unns;d on occasions of great ditficulty and danger, they referred the case to the squaws, the mothers of the tribes, wiio, it is said, recommended an offer to quit, on being allowed their betterments, a Novanglican law term, devised to signify the dwelling and other erections, and comprehending girdling the trees to disencumber the land of the wood, by a person entering without title, on land never before cultivated, known as new or wild land, (fcc." " No answer as was to be expected, was given to this offer, and the parties claiming to be entitled to the right of sovereign states, and there being no federal court to interpose between them, had recourse to the "alternate mean of discussion between princes, to arms." The parties foreseeing there would be war, were, as behooved them, prepared for it.

The renowned arch-leader, an host in himself, took the field alone ; and being an overmatch for the Indians in skill and spirit, he at first advanced on them ; but, they having provided there should be constantly reinforcements on their march, thereby preserving their corps entire, and harassing him incessantly, giving him no rest night nor day, he was obliged finally to yield to vigilance and perseverance, and fall back. He retired collected, and, as usual, giving up the ground only inch by inch ; and, though retiring, still presenting a front whenever attack threatened ; he kept close to the Sound to secure his flank on that side ; and, having reached Frog^s point, and the water becoming narrow, to be crossed by the Indians in bark canoes, easily to be made in a night, and the tide being out, and the rocks showing their heads, he availed himself of them, and stepping from one to another, effected his retreat to Long Island.