But this belt we now pre may let us go in peace, and not beat

sent, so that the soldiers

us when we visit this place."

untouched

Stuyvesant's proposition in relation to land was left " What do you intend by the sachem, and the director asked :

to propose about the land ?

"

The sachem

replied,

that

" it

belonged to the chiefs who were not here to-day, and we can He 'promised, not, therefore, come to any conclusion on it."

however, that they would return the next day and give their The morrow came, but the chiefs did not return. answer. Stuyvesant dispatched messengers to their wigwams to inquire " the chiefs

their intentions, who returned with the answer that

had made fools of them."

Stuyvesant had overreached him

self by his extravagant demand, and, chagrined and disappointed,

departed for Fort Amsterdam, leaving Ensign Dirck Smith with soldiers under instructions to guard the village properly, fifty

and not allow any Indians within the palisades to act purely on the defensive, and to detail, from day to day, a proper guard to protect the husbandmen. A ronduit, or small fort, was also ;

projected at the mouth of the Walkill, and the work of its con Several chiefs came in, shortly after struction commenced.

Stuyvesant's departure, and made a present to Stol as further The offering was indemnity for the injuries he had sustained.

accompanied by a renewal of their request for the removal of the soldiers, and an exchange of presents. The former was to the latter the settlers had " and in declined,