We remained encamped until the 16'^ of the month. Several skirmishes occurred diu'ing that time between the enemy and our people who became oftenest engaged with them rather by tlieir imprudence than tlirough want of corn-age ; and I can assure you, that every time they made a cliarge, we were obliged

1 The point at which the above cngagfcment took place is marked on tlie annexed map. It seems to have been fought in the neighborhood of lake Canandaigua.

INTO NORTHERN AND WESTERN NEW-YORK. 17

to extricate tliem from the difficulty, not being able to extricate tiiemselves except by the help of our arquebuses which the enemy dreaded and greatly feared. For as soon as th.ey perceived one of our Arquebuseers, they immediately retreated, telling us by way of persuasion not to meddle with their fights, and that their enemies had very little courage to require our assistance ; with many other such like discourses.

Seeing tiiat the five liundred men were not coming, they proposed to depart and retreat at once, and began to make certain litters to convey their wounded, wlio are put in them, tumbled in a heap, doubled and strapped in such a way tliat it is impossible to stir ; less than an infant in its swaddling clothes ; not Vv'ithout considerable pain, as I can certify, having been carried several days on the back of one of our Indians, thus tied and bound, so that I lost all patience. As soon as I had strength to bear my weiglit, I got out of this prison, or to speak plainer out of hell.