if the kalesecurity can there be for peace, backers desire war ?" asked the director, but Goethals could not

Stuyvesant then told him that the Esopus chiefs must him at Fort Amsterdam, if they desired peace. " They are too much frightened and dare not come," was the reply. Believing this to be true, Stuyvesant consented to visit Esopus and hold a conference with the Indians. While these negotiations were in progress, Ensign Smith was

reply. visit

On engaged in active service against the offending Indians. March he advanced, with forty men, nine miles into the interior, and attacked the Indian fort Wiltmeet, which

the i yth of

was defended by some sixty Indians who fled at the first fire, leaving four of their number dead and twelve others prisoners.

A large quantity of maize, peas, and bearskins, fell into the hands of the Dutch, and the fort was destroyed. all

Stuyvesant arrived at Esopus on the i8th, but soon saw that He therefore hope of negotiating a peace was at an end.

sent the prisoners and plunder to Fort Amsterdam, and directed a vigorous prosecution of the war by a formal declaration (March

" and all their adherents." 25th) against the Esopus Indians Smith now followed up the advantage he had gained by posting

" over the creek (April 4th) forty-three men in ambuscade, among the rocks," but the Indians discovered the snare, and a general fight ensued in

which three Indians were

killed,

two

This disaster pro severely wounded, and one taken prisoner. duced a material change in the deportment of the Indians, who