So soon as the Dutch had made a settlement, their cattle were allowed to run at large for pasturage, and "frequently came into the corn of the Indians, which was unfenced on all sides, committing great damage there. This led to complaints on their part, and finally to revenge on the cattle, without sparing even the horses." In 1626 a Weckqujesgeek Indian, from the vicinity of Tarrytown, while on his way to Fort Amsterdam to exchange his furs, was robbed and killed by men in the em-

THE INDIANS.

ploy of Peter Minuit, the first Dutch Director. The Weckqujesgeek was accompanied by his nephew, who was a boy, and another Indian. The Dutch were not aware of this outrage till long afterward. The boy, true to the principles of his race, treasured a revenge which he believed it to be his duty to exact in manhood. He waited no longer than to reach a warrior's age of seventeen, wheu he took some beaverskins to barter, and, stopping at the house of a Dutchman, lie killed him while examining the goods. Having thus secured the blood atonement required for the death of a relative, he returned to his home. Governor Kieft demanded the surrender of the offender; but the Weckqua^sgeeks refused to give him up. There was great excitement in New Amsterdam. Expeditions to exterminate the Indians were organized; but they accomplished nothing. Finally, a treaty was concluded between the Dutch and the Indians, the former agreeing to some matters required by the latter, on condition that the murderer should be surrendered. But the treaty was never fulfilled by either party. It was a very difficult matter to have an Indian arrested whose actions had been in strict accordance with the laws and customs of his race. Against the advice of the chief men of Manhattan, Governor Kieft had sent a company of eighty men against the Weckqutesgeeks in March, 1642, and although they did little damage, the Indians were greatly incensed thereby.