Madokawando, for his wives. The lands which had been granted by the crown of England to the duke of York, now king James the second, interfered with Castine's plantations ; as the duke claimed to the river St. Croix. In the spring of 1688, Andross went in the Rose frigate, and plundered Castine's house and fort; leaving only the ornaments of his chapel, to console him for the loss of his arms and goods. This base action provoked Castine, to excite the Indians to a new

war.

They began to make reprisals at North Yarmouth, by killing cattle; but soon proceeded to serious hostilities. In that part of the town of Dover, which lies about the first falls in the river Cochecho, were five garrisoned houses; three on the north side, viz. Waldron's, Otis's, and Heard's, and two on the south side, viz. Peter Coffin's and his son's. These houses were surrounded with timber walls, the gates of which, as well as the house doors, were secured with bolts and bars. The neighbouring families retired to these houses by night; but, by an unaccountable negligence, no watch was kept.

The plan which the Indians had preconcerted was, that two squaws should go to each of the garrisoned houses in the evening, and ask leave to lodge by the fire; that in the night when the people were asleep they should open the doors and gates, and give the signal by a whistle; upon which strange Indians, who were to be within hearing, should rush in and take their meditated revenge. This plan being ripe for execution, two squaws applied to each of the garrisons for lodging, as they frequently did in time of peace. They were admitted into all but the younger Coffin's; and the people at their request shewed them how to open the doors, in case they should want to go out in the night. Mesandowit, one of their chiefs, went to Waldron's garrison, and was kindly entertained as he had often been before. In unsuspecting confidence the family retired to rest.

When all was quiet, the gates were opened and the signal given. The Indians entered, set a guard at the door, and rushed into the major's apartment, which was an inner

room. Awakened by the noise, he jumped out of bed, and, though eighty years old, retained so much vigour as to drive them with his sword, through two or three doors; but, as he was returning for his other arms, they came behind him and stunned him with a hatchet. They then obliged the people in the house to get them some victuals, and when they had done eating, they cut the major across the breast and belly with knives, each one with a stroke, saying, "I cross out my account." They then cut off his nose and ears, forcing them into his mouth. When spent with the loss of blood, and falling down from the table, one of them held his own sword under him, which put an end to his misery. They also killed his son in law, Abraham Lee; but took as prisoners his daughter Lee, with several others. After pillaging the house, they left it on fire. Otis's garrison, which was next to the major's, met with the same fate. He was killed with several others, and his wife and child were captivated. Heard's was saved by the barking of a dog, just as the Indians were entering. Coffin's house was surprised; but as the Indians had no particular enmity to him, they spared his life and the lives of his family, and contented themselves with pillaging the house. They then went to the house of his son, who would not admit the squaws in the evening, and summoned him to surrender, promising him quarter. He declined their offer, and determined to defend his house, till they brought out his father and threatened to kill him before his eyes. Filial affection overcame his resolution and he surrendered. They put both families together into a deserted house, intending to reserve them as prisoners; but while the Indians were busy in plundering, they all escaped. Twenty-three persons were killed in this surprisal; and twenty-nine were captivated. Five or six houses were burned. So expeditious were the Indians, in the execution of their plot, that, before the people could be collected from the other parts of the town to oppose them, the assailants had escaped with their prisoners and booty.

The prisoners taken at this time were mostly carried to Canada, and sold to the French. The Indians had been se

duced to the French interest, by popish emissaries, who had begun to fascinate them with their religious and national prejudices. They had now learned to call the English "heretics," and that, "to extirpate them as such was meritorious in the sight of heaven." When their minds were filled with religious phrenzy, they became more bitter and implacable enemies than before. Finding the sale of scalps and prisoners turn to good account, in Canada, they had a further incitement to continue their depredations, and prosecute their vengeance.

The necessity of vigorous measures was now so pressing, that parties were immediately despatched after the Indians. One or two of them were killed, and their corn cut down. But these excursions proved of small service, as the Indians had little to lose, and could find an home wherever they could find game and fish.

A party of Indians, who lay in the woods about Oyster river, observing all the men, which belonged to Hucking's garrison, going out to work, ran between them and the house, and killed seventeen of their number. The Indians then attacked the house, in which were only two boys, with some women, and children. The boys kept them off for some time, and wounded several of them. At length the Indians set the house on fire; and even then the boys would not surrender, till they had promised to spare their lives. They nevertheless perfidiously murdered three or four of the children. One of them was set on a sharp stake in the view of its distressed mother, who with the other women and the boys were carried off as prisoners.

The approach of winter was particularly welcome to the distressed inhabitants of the frontiers; as they then expected a respite from their sufferings. The deep snows and cold weather were commonly a good security against any attack from the Indians. But when resolutely bent on mischief, and instigated by enthusiasm, no obstacles could restrain them.

The count de Frontenac, now governor of Canada, detached three parties of French and Indians from Canada,

in the winter, who were to take three different routes into the English territories. One of these parties marched from Montreal, and in the month of February, 1690, destroyed Schenectady, a Dutch village on the Mohawk river in the province of New York. In the next month, another party which came from Trois Rivieres, under the command of the Sieur Hertel, an officer of great repute in Canada, found their way to Salmon falls. This party consisted of fifty-two men, of whom twenty-five were Indians. They began the attack at day break, in three different places. The people were surprised, but flew to arms, and defended themselves in the garrisoned houses, with great bravery. The assailants proved too strong for the defendants. About thirty of the bravest of the latter were killed, and the rest surrendered at discretion, to the number of fifty-four. Of these the greater part were women and children. The enemy burned the houses, mills, and barns, and killed the cattle. Hertel, on his way homeward, met with a third party, who had marched from Quebec ; and joining his company to them attacked and destroyed the fort and settlement at Casco. These three expeditions planned by count Frontenac proved successful; but the glory of them was much tarnished by acts of cruelty.

After the destruction of Casco, the eastern settlements were all deserted, and the people retired to the fort at Wells. The Indians then made an assault on Fox Point, where they burned several houses, killed about fourteen people, and carried away six. Eight persons were killed as they were mowing in a field near Lamprey river.

The cruelties, exercised upon the captives in this war, exceeded both in number and degree all that had been perpetrated in former times. The most healthy and vigorous of them were sold in Canada: the weaker were sacrificed and scalped and for every scalp they had a premium. Two instances only are remembered of their releasing any without

a ransom.

The people of New England now looked on Canada as the source of their troubles, and formed a design to reduce

1

it to the crown of England. The enterprize was bold and hazardous, but unsuccessful. If their ability had been equal to the ardour of their patriotism, it might probably have been accomplished.

In the winter of 1692, some new regulations were made for the general defence. Major Elisha Hutchinson was appointed commander in chief of the militia, by whose prudent conduct the frontiers were well guarded, and so constant a communication was kept up, by ranging parties, from one post to another, that it became impossible for the enemy to attack in their usual way, by surprise. The good effects of this regulation were presently and extensively felt. It kept the Indians so quiet, that, except one poor family, which they took at Oyster river, and some small mischief at Quaboag, there is no mention of any destruction made by them, during the year 1693. Their animosity against New England was not quelled; but they needed time to recruit. Some of their principal men were in captivity, and they could not hope to redeem them without a peace. To obtain it, they came into the fort at Pemaquid, and there entered into a solemn covenant, wherein they acknowledged subjection to the crown of England; engaged to abandon the French interest; promised to forbear private revenge; to restore all captives; and even went so far as to deliver hostages for the due performance of their engagements. This peace, or rather truce, gave a respite which both earnestly desired.

The people of New Hampshire were much reduced. Their lumber trade and husbandry were greatly impeded by the war. Frequent complaints were made of their sufferings, and of the scarcity of provisions. It is recorded in the council minutes, that they were, at one time, even ready to quit the province.

The engagements made by the Indians, in the treaty of Pemaquid, might have been performed, if they had been left to their own choice. But the French missionaries had been for some years very assiduous in propagating their tenets among them; one of which was, "that to break faith with heretics was no sin." They resolved to commence hostilities