The 20 ditto we sent out spies along the west side of the river Chambly and found there a drawing of a party from Canada and 14 palisades to which they had bound their prisoners whom they had fetched from New England.

LIEUT. GOV. LEISLER. 287*

The 21 ditto we proceeded to about one mile below the above mentioned sandbank of Chambly, when we again sent out spies, who discovered some places where french and savage spies had been keeping double night watch, and that the same had embarked for Chambly. Then, after having first placed our canoes and provisions in safety,

The 22 ditto we pursued our jourhey by land and travelled that day close under La Prairie -- the road being very difficult on account of the softness of the clay, over which we had to travel, so that two of our christians returned to our canoes. Coming through the clay we heard much firing of musketry, of which we were astonished what it might be.

The 23 ditto in the morning I sent spies towards th'e fort to see how it was ; returning said all the folks were leaving the fort of La Prairie to cut corn. -- Then we resolved in what manner we should hinder them to obtain the fort again, and agreed to do so by intercepting them on their way to the fort, but by the eagerness of the young savages such was prevented, because christians as well as savages fell on with a war cry which displeased the officer that they fell on without orders having been given, but they made 19 prisoners and 6 scalps, among which were 4 womenfolk. The first prisoner was examined, asking him, what the firing of yesterday at La Prairie signified! said, the Governor is yesterday gone away with 800 men and the people discharged their muskets at their departure because their scouts had not heard from us.