concluded, near the concentration of Eso under the blue pus, sky of heaven, in the presence of the Hon. Martin Kregier, burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam in New

Netherland ; OlofF Stevensen van Cortland, old burgomaster ; Arent van Curler, commissary of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, and all the inhabitants of Esopus, both Christians and Indians, on the I5th of July, 1660."

The

day was far spent before the negotiations opened, and the shades of twilight had deepened into the night ere the cere

monies were concluded. The proposals submitted by Stuyvesant were accepted, the sachem, Sewackenamo, declaring, in

Ante, p. 68.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

the customary language of his people, that their friendship with the Dutch should last as long as the sun and moon gave light ; as long as the stars should rivers

flow

with water.

shine in the firmament, and the

But before

conclusion, he had kindred. Stuyvesant,

this

asked the director for the return of his

who had

already disposed of the prisoners in his hands, replied that they must be considered " as dead." The answer deeply grieved the sachem, the memory of their banished brethren was

graven on the hearts of his people. But though sufferers by the war, their losses were not without some compensation. Among the pri soners held by them was the son of Evert Pels, one of the men who had led the midnight foray upon them. Just as he was being

bound to the. stake of torture, the incident which gave to American history the name of Pocahontas had its counterpart.