Indian Depredations. 299 the troops with Sir William being sickly and discouraged, the expedition failed, and in November the troops arrived at Boston. This expedition involved the government in a heavy debt; a thousand men perished, and a general gloom spread through the country. The latter part of May, the savages fell upon Casco, and assaulted all the garrisons which defended themselves while their ammunition lasted; they then, concealed by the night, fled to the fort; when the whole force of the enemy was directed to this spot, having first burned the whole town. The fort was badly situated, having by it a deep gully into which the enemy rushing, the guns could not reach them. They immediately began their mine, and nearly reached the fort, when the English having fought five days and four nights, and the greater part of them having been killed or wounded, began a parley. Articles were agreed upon the English were to have liberty of going to the next town; they were to have a guard for their protection. The French commander lifting his hand, swore by the eternal God, punctually to perform the articles. It was French faith; he immediately suffered a part of his prisoners to be killed, and a part to be carried to Canada. The garrisons at Papoodack, Spurwink, Black Point, and Blue Point, were so alarmed, that without orders they retreated to Saco, twenty miles within Casco; and from Saco, twenty miles further to Wells, and some of them came on further; 500 Indian Depredations. but recruits arriving, they were inspired with new courage. Soon after, Hopehood, a chief warrior, who had lived in Boston, had a skirmish with Captain Sherburn, and the next sabbath, his party killed a man and burned several houses at Berwick. Three days after, at Fox Point, on Piscataqua, he burned a number of houses, took six prisoners, and killed twelve persons. Captains Greenleaf and Floyd came up with him soon after, killed part of his company, retook some of the captives, and a great part of their plunder. At Spruce Creek, they killed an old man, and took a woman captive. July 4, nine persons being at work in a field by Lampereel river, all were killed. The same day, captains Wiswel and Floyd marched from Portsmouth to search the woods. The next day, the garrison at Exeter was assaulted, but relieved by Lieut. Bancroft, with the loss of several men. One of them, Simon Stone, being shot in nine places, lay as if dead among the slain; the Indians coming to strip him, attempted by two blows of a hatchet to sever his head from his body; though they did not effect it, the wounds were dreadful; our people coming upon them suddenly, they did not scalp him; while burying the dead, Stone was observed to gasp; an Irishman present, advised them to give him another blow of the hatchet, and bury him with the rest; but his kind neighbours poured a little water into his mouth, then a little spirits, when he opened his eyes; the Irishman was ordered to haul a canoe on shore, in which the wounded man might be carried to a surgeon; carelessly pulling it along with his gun, it went off, broke his arm, and rendered him a cripple while he lived. Stone, in a short time, perfectly recovered. In two days, Floyd and Wiswel came upon the enemy at Wheelright's pond. Fifteen of our people were slain, among whom was Capt. Wiswel, Lieut. Flag, and serjeant Walker; a greater number were wounded. Capt. Convers was sent to bury our dead, and bring off the wounded. The same week, Amesbury was assaulted, three persons killed, and three houses burned; Capt. Foot was tortured to death. In September, major Church, with 300 men, landed in Casco bay, at Macquoit, and marched to Androscogin fort, took and killed twenty Indians, set five captives at liberty, and burned the fort. On their return they sent a party from Winter Harbour up the river, who fell on the enemy, killed some, took considerable plunder, and relieved an Englishman from captivity. At Casco Harbour the enemy, in the night, fell on them and killed five, but were soon driven to the woods. The army, excepting 100 men, were then dismissed. The country was now in a distressed situation; the disappointment and losses in the Canada expedition, and a murderous Indian war, which lasted for several years, had exhausted the resources, B b and sunk the spirits of the country. In this period of discouragment, the people were joyfully surprised with overtures of peace from the savages; a conference was held at Sagadahoc, ten prisoners were restored, and a truce established till the first of May, 1692. Instead of appearing in May at the garrison in Wells, with all their captives, to sign articles of a lasting peace, according to agreement, on the ninth of June the place was assaulted by 200 Indians, but being courageously repulsed, they retired. About the same time, they killed two men at Exeter, two at Berwick, and 506 at Cape Neddock. In the latter part of July, a number of troops explored the Pejepscot region, to no purpose, while going on board their vessels, at Macquoit, were violently assailed all night; but their vessels secured them, in a great measure, against harm. In mercy to New England, the force of the savages was this year exceedingly restrained. Yet, September 28th, seven persons were killed and taken captive at Berwick, and the next day, twenty one were taken from Sandy Beach. October 23, in Rowley, Byfield parish, Mr. Goodridge, his wife, and two of his daughters were killed. He was shot while praying in his family; it was sabbath evening. Another daughter was taken captive, but redeemed the next spring, at the expense of the province. She lived eighty two years after, and died in Beverly, 1774, aged eighty nine. Her name was Deborah Duty. Brave Exploit. 303 On the 25th of January, several hundred Indians assaulted York, took a hundred captives, and killed fifty, among whom was their faithful minister, the Rev. Shubael Dummer. The remaining people were so discouraged, that they were about leaving the town, when the government sent Capt. Greenleaf and Convers to protect them. About this time, our people fell on a party in Cocheco woods, took and killed all but one; but the most valorous exploit happened at Wells. Capt. Convers displayed the courage of Leonidas, with more success. He had fifteen men in the garrison; little more than a gunshot off, in two sloops, were fifteen more, who had just brought ammunition and stores for the garrison. In this situation, he was assaulted by an army of 500 French and Indians. Monsieur Burniff was gen eral, and Labrocree a principal commander. They were supported by the most distinguished chieftains of different tribes. Warumbo, Egeremet, Moxus, and Modocawando, were names of terror in those times; all were present, with their chosen warriors. After a speech from one of their örators, with shouts and yells, they poured a volley upon the garrison, which returned the fire with so much spirit and success, that the besiegers retired to attack the sloops. The vessels lay in a creek, rather than a river, which at low water, was barely wide enough to prevent the enemy from leaping on board. From a turn of the creek, they could |