The sachems promised to take the matter into consideration, While they were absent the and departed with their followers. settlers agreed that it would be for the best to adopt the counsel of the director, arid left the selection of the site of the village

He " accordingly chose a spot at the bend of the kill,

to him.

where a water front might be had on three sides and a part of the plain, about two hundred and ten yards in circumfer * The erection of a stockade was ence, was staked out." ;

immediately commenced, the Dutch, in this particular, adopt ing the mode of the Indians and drawing from them lessons in defensive warfare.

On the ist of June, the sachems returned and solicited peace, expressing sorrow for what had passed.

They felt deeply the

shame that Stuyvesant had challenged their young men, and they had not dared to accept the wager, and hoped trie fact would not be spread abroad. Presents were distributed to them in exchange

for the

wampum

with which they had accompanied but they were told a second time that

their proposals for peace ; they must surrender the murderer, and make good the damages To these requirements they demurred ; they had committed. finally agreed that they should make compensation for damages, and sell the land for the projected village.

and it was

They

then retired, but returned again on the 4th with a final reply, which was that they would give the director the land he asked,