The soveraignty & goodness of God, together, with the faithfulness of his promises displayed; being a narrative of the captivity and restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Commended by her, to all that desires to know the Lords doing to, and dealings with her. Especially to her dear children and relations, / written by her own hand for her private use, and now made publick at the earnest desire of some friends, and for the benefit of the afflicted.

A Narrative of the CAPTIVITY AND REST AƲRATION OF Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.

ON the tenth of February 1675. Came the Indians with great numbers upon Lancaster: Their first coming was about Sun-rising; hearing the noise of some Guns, we looked out; several Houses were burning, and the Smoke ascending to Hea∣ven. There were five persons taken in one house, the Father, and the Mother and a sucking Child, they knockt on the head; the other two they took and carried away alive. Their were two others, who being out of their Garison upon some occasion were set upon; one was knockt on the head, the other escaped: Another their was who running a∣••ong was shot and wounded, and sell down; he pegged of them his life, promising them Money (as they told me) but they would not hearken to

him but knockt him in head, and stript him naked, and split open his Bowels. Another seeing many of the Indians about his Barn, ventured and went out, but was quickly shot down. There were three others belonging to the same Garison who were killed; the Indians getting up upon the roof of the Barn, had advantage to shoot down upon them o∣ver their Fortification. Thus these murtherous wretches went on, burning, and destroying before them,

At length they came and beset our own house, and quickly it was the dolefullest day that ever mine eyes saw. The House stood upon the edg of a hill; some of the Indians got behind the hill, o∣thers into the Barn, and others behind any thing that could shelter them; from all which places they shot against the House, so that the Bullets seemed to fly like hail; and quickly they wounded one man among us, then another, and then a third, A∣bout two hours (according to my observation, in that amazing time) they had been about the house before they prevailed to fire it (which they did with Flax and Hemp, which they brought out of the Barn, and there being no desence about the House, only two Flankers at two opposite corners, and one of them not finished) they fired it once, and one ventured out and quenched it, but they quickly fired it again, and that took. Now is that dreadfull hour come, that I have often heard of (in time of War, as it was the case of others) but now mine eyes see it. Some in our house were fight∣ing

for their lives, others wallowing in their blood, the House on fire over our heads, and the bloody Heathen ready to knock us on the head, if we stir∣ed our: Now might we hear Mothers & Children crying out for themselves, and one another, Lord, What shall we do? Then I took my Children (and one of my sisters, hers) to go forth and leave the house: but as soon as we came to the dore and ap∣peared, the Indians shot so thick that the bulletts rattled against the House, as if one had taken an handfull of stones and threw them, so that we were fain to give back. We had six stout Dogs belonging to our Garrison, but none of them would stir, though another time, if any Indian had come to the door, they were ready to fly upon him and tear him down. The Lord hereby would make us the more to acknowledge his hand, and to see that our help is alwayes in him. But out we must go, the fire increasing, and coming along behind us, roaring, and the Indians gaping before us with their Guns, Spears and Hatchets to devour us. No sooner were we out of the House, but my Brother in Law (being before wounded, in defending the house, in or near the throat) fell down dead, wher∣at the Indians scornfully shouted, and hallowed, and were presently upon him, stripping off his cloaths, the bulletts flying thick, one went through my side, and the same (as would seem) through the bowels and hand of my dear Child in my arms. One of my elder Sisters Children, named William, had then his Leg broken, which the Indians per∣ceiving,

they knockt him on head. Thus were we butchered by those merciless Heathen, standing a∣mazed, with the blood running down to our heels. My eldest Sister being yet in the House, and seeing those wofull sights, the Infidels haling Mothers one way, and Children another, and some wallowing in their blood: and her elder Son telling her that her Son William was dead, and my self was wounded, she said, And, Lord let medy with them; which was no sooner said, but she was struck with a Bul∣let, and sell down dead over the threshold. I hope she is reaping the fruit of her good labours, being faithfull to the service of God in her place. In her younger years she lay under much trouble upon spiritual accounts, till it pleased God to make that precious Scripture take hold of her heart, 2 Cor. 12.9. And be said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee. More then twenty years after I have heard her tell how sweet and comfortable that place was to her, But to return: The Indians laid hold of us, pulling me on way, and the Children another, and said, Come go along with us; I told them they would kill me: they answered, If I were willing to go along with them, they would not hurt me.

Oh the dolefull sight that now was to behold at this House! Come, behold the works of the Lord, what dissolations he has made in the Earth. Of thir∣ty seven persons who were in this one House, none escaped either present death, or a bitter captivity, save only one, who might say as he. Job 1.15. And I only am escaped alone to tell the News. There

were twelve killed, some shot, some stab'd with their Spears, some knock'd down with their Hat∣chets. When we are in prosperity, Oh the little that we think of such dreadfull sights, and to see our dear Friends, and Relations ly bleeding out their heart-blood upon the ground. There was one who was chopt into the head with a Hatchet, and stript naked, and yet was crawling up and down. It is a solemn sight to see so many Christians lying in their blood, some here, and some there, like a company of Sherp torn by Wolves. All of them stript naked by a company of hell-hounds, roar∣ing, singing, ranting and insulting, as if they would have torn our very hearts out; yet the Lord by his Almighty power preserved a number of us from death, for there were twenty-four of us taken alive and carried Captive.

I had of ten before this said, that if the Indians should come, I should chuse rather to be killed by them then taken alive but when it came to the tryal my mind changed; their glittering weapons so daun∣ted my spirit, that I chose rather to go along with those (as I may say) ravenous Beats, then that mo∣ment to end my dayes; and that I may the better declare what happened to me during that grievous Captivity I shall particularly speak of the severall Removes we had up and down the Wilderness.

The first Remove.

Now away we must go with those Barbarous

Creatures, with our bodies wounded and bleed∣ing, and our hearts no less than our bodies. About a mile we went that night, up upon a hill within sight of the Town where they intended to lodge. There was hard by a vacant house (deserted by the Eng∣lish before, for fear of the Indians] I asked them whither I might not lodge in the house that night? to which they answered, what will you love Eng∣lish men still? this was the dolefullest night that ever my eyes saw. Oh the roaring, and singing and danceing, and yelling of those black creatures in the night, which made the place a lively resem∣blance of hell. And as miserable was the wast that was there made, of Horses, Cuttle, Sheep, Swine, Galves, Lambs, Roasting Pigs, and Fowls [which they bad plundered in the Town] some roasting, some lying and burning, and some boyling to feed our merciless Enemles; who were joyfull enough though we were disconsolate. To add to the dolefulness of the former day, and the dis∣malness of the present night: my thoughts ran up∣on my losses and sad bereaved condition. All was gone, my Husband gone (at least separated from me, he being in the Bay; and to add to my grief, the Indians told me they would kill him as he came homeward) my Children gone, my Relations and Friends gone, our House and home and all our comforts within door, and without, all was gone, (except my life) and I knew not but the next moment that might go too. There remained nothing to me but one poor wound∣ed

〈◊〉〈◊〉 and it seemed at present worse than death that it was in such a pitiful condition, bespeaking, Compassion, and I had an refreshing for it, nor suitable things to revive it, Little do many think what is the savageness and bruitishness of this bar∣barous Enemy! even those that seem to pro∣fess more than others among them, when the English have fallen into their hands.

Those seven that were killed at Lancaster the summer before upon a Sabbath day, and the one that was afterward killed upon a week day, were stain and mangled in a barbarous manner, by one-ey'd John, and Marlborough's Praying Indians, which Capt. Mosely brought to Boston, as the Indi∣ans told me.

The second Remove.

But now, the next morning, I must turn my back upon the Town, and travel with them into the vast and isolate Wilderness, I knew not whether. It is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tongue, or pen can express the sorrows of my heart, and bitterness of my spirit, that I had at this departure: but God was with me, in a won∣derfull manner, carrying me along, and bearing up my spirit, that it did not quite fail One of the in∣dians carried my poor wounded Babe upon a horse, it went moaning all along, I shall dy, I shall dy. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 went on foot after it, with sorrow that cannot be exprest. At length I took it off the horse, and ••••••••ed it in my armes till my strength sailed, and I

fell down with it: Then they set me upon a horse with my wounded Child in my lap, and there being no furnitunre upon the horse back; as we were go∣ing down a steep hill, we both fell over the horses head, at which they like inhumane creatures laught, and rejoyced to see it, though I thought we should there have ended our dayes, as overcome with so many difficulties. But the Lord renewed my strength still, and carried me along, that I might see more of his Power; yea, so much that I could never have thought of, had I not experienced it.

After this it quickly began to snow, and when night came on, they stopt: and now down I must sit in the snow, by a little fire, and a few boughs behind me, with my sick Child in my lap; and calling much for water, being now (through the wound) fallen into a violent Fever. My own wound also grow∣ing so stiff, that I could scarce sit down or rise up; yet so it must be, that I must sit all this cold winter night upon the cold snowy ground, with my sick Child in my armes, looking that every hour would be the last of its life; and having no Christian friend near me, either to comfort or help me. Oh, I may see the wonderfull power of God, that my Spirit did not utterly sink under my affliction: still the Lord upheld me with his gracious and mercifull Spirit, and we were both alive to see the light of the next morning.

The third remove.

The morning being come, they prepared to go

their way: One of the Indians got up upon a horse, and they set me up behind him, with my poor sick Babe in my lap. A very wearisome and tedious day I had of it; what with my own wound, and my Childs being so exceeding sick, and in a lamen∣table condition with her wound. It may be easi∣ly judged what a poor feeble condition we were in, there being not the least crumb of refreshing that came within either of our mouths, from Wednesday night to Saturday night, except only a little cold water. This day in the afternoon, about an hour by Sun, we came to the place where they intend∣ded, viz. an Indian Town, called Wenimesset, Nor∣ward of Quabaug. When we were come, Oh the number of Pagans (now merciless enemies) that there came about me, that I may say as David, Psal. 27.13, I had fainted, unless I had believed, &c. The next day was the Sabbath: I then remembred how careless I had been of Gods holy time: how many Sabbaths I had lost and mispent, and how evily I had walked in Gods sight; which lay so closs unto my spirit, that it was easie for me to see how righteous it was with God to cut off the threed of my life, and cast me out of his presence for e∣ver. Yet the Lord still shewed mercy to me, and upheld me; and as he wounded me with one hand, so he healed me with the other. This day there came to me one Robbert Pepper (a man belonging to Roxbury) who was taken in Captain Beers his Fight, and had been now a considerable time with the Indians; and up with them almost as far as

Albany to see king Philip, as he told me, and was now very lately come into these parts. Hearing, I say, that I was in this Indian Town, he obtained leave to come and see me. He told me, he him∣self was wounded in the leg at Captain Beers his Fight; and was not able some time to go, but as they carried him, and as he took Oaken leaves and laid to his wound, and through the blessing of God he was able to travel again. Then I took Oaken leaves and laid to my side, and with the blessing of God it cured me also; yet before the cure was wrought, I may say, as it is in Psal. 38.5, 6. My wounds stink and are corrupt, I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long. I sat much alone with a poor wounded Child in my lap, which moaned night and day, having no∣thing to revive the body, or cheer the spirits of her, but in stead of that, sometimes one Indian would come and tell me one hour, that your Master will knock your Child in the head, and then a second, and then a third, your Master will quickly knock your Child in the head.

This was the comfort I had from them, miserable comforters are ye all, as he said. Thus nine dayes I sat upon my knees, with my Babe in my lap, till my flesh was raw again; my Child being even rea∣dy to depart this sorrowfull world, they bade me carry it out to another Wigwam (I suppose be∣cause they would not be troubled with such specta∣cles) Whither I went with a very heavy heart, and down I sat with the picture of death in my lap.

About two houtes in the night, my sweet Babe, like a Lambe departed this life, on Feb. 18. 1675. It being about six yeares, and five months old. It was nine dayes from the first wounding, in this miserable condition, without any refreshing of one nature or other, except a little cold water. I cannot but take notice, how at another time I could not bear to be in the room where any dead person was, but now the case is changed; I must and couldly down by my dead Babe, side by side all the night after. I have thought since of the wonderfull goodness of God to me, in preserving me in the use of my reason and senses, in that di∣stressed time, that I did not use wicked and violent means to end my own miserable life. In the mor∣ning, when they understood that my child was dead they sent for me home to my Masters Wigwam: (by my Master in this writing, must be under∣stood Quanopin, who was a Saggamore, and mar∣ried King Phillips wives Sister; not that be first took me, but I was sold to him by another Nar∣rhaganset Indian, who took me when first I came out of the Garison I went to take up my dead child in my arms to carry it with me, but they bid me let it alone: there was no resisting, but goe I must and leave it. When I had been at my mast∣ers wigwam, I took the first opportunity I could get, to go look after my dead child: when I came I askt them what they had done with it? then they told me it was upon the hill: then they went and

shewed me where it was, where I saw the ground was newly digged, and there they told me they had buried it: There I left that Child in the Wilder∣ness, and must commit it, and my self also in this Wilderness-condition, to him who is above all. God having taken away this dear Child, I went to see my daughter Mary, who was at this same Indian Town, at a Wigwam not very far off, though we had little liberty or opportunity to see one another: she was about ten years old, & taken from the door at first by a Praying Ind & afterward sold for a gun. When I came in sight, she would fall a weeping; at which they were provoked, and would not let me come near her, but bade me be gone; which was a heart-cutting word to me. I had one Child dead, another in the Wilderness, I knew not where, the third they would not let me come near to: Me (as he said) have ye bereaved of my Children, Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin also, all these things are against me. I could not for still in this condition, but kept, walking from one place to another. And as I was going along, my heart was ••••••n overwhelm'd with the thoughts of my condition, and that I should have Children, and a Nation which I knew not ruled over them. Whereupon learnestly entreated the Lord, that he would consider my low estate, and shew me a token for good, and if it were his blessed will, some sign and hope of some relief. And indeed quickly the Lord answered, in some measure, my poor prayers:

For as I was going up and down mourning and la∣menting my condition, my Son came to me, and asked me how I did; I had not seen him before, since the destruction of the Town, and I knew not where he was, till I was informed by himself, that he was amongst a smaller percel of Indians, whose place was about six miles off; with tears in his eyes, he asked me whether his Sister Sarah was dead; and told me he had seen his Sister Mary; and prayed me, that I would not be troubled in re∣serence to himself. The occasion of his coming to see me at this time, was this: There was, as I said, about six miles from us, a smal Plantation of Indi∣ans, where it seems he had been during his Captivi∣ty: and at this time, there were some Forces of the Ind. gathered out of our company, and some also from them (among whom was my Sons master) to go to as∣sault and burn Medfield: In this time of the absence of his master, his dame brought him to see me. I took this to be some gracious answer to my earnest and unfeigned desire. The next day, viz. to this, the In∣dians returned from Medfield, all the company, for those that belonged to the other smal company, came thorough the Town that now we were at But before they came to us, Oh! the outragious roaring and hooping that there was: They began their din about a mile before they came to us. By their noise and hooping they signified how many they had destroyed (which was at that time twen∣ty three) Those that were with us at home, were

gathered together as soon as they heard the hoop∣ing, and every time that the other went over their number, these at home gave a shout, that the very Earth rung again: And thus they coutinned till those that had been upon the expedition were come up to the Sagamores Wigwam; and then, Oh, the hideous insulting and triumphing that there was o∣ver some English mens scalps that they had taken (as their manner it) and brought with them. I can∣not but take notice of the wonderfull mercy of God to me in those afflictions, in sending me a Bible One of the Indians that came from Medfield fight, had brought some plunder, came to me, and asked me, if I would have a Bible, he had got one in his Basket, I was glad of it, and asked him, whether be thought the Indians would let me read? he an∣swered, yes; so I took the Bible, and in that me∣lancholy time, it came into my mind to read first the 28. Chap. of Deut. which I did, and when I had read it, my dark heart wrought on this manner, That there was no mercy for me, that the blessings were gone, and the Curses Came in their room, and that I bad lost my opportunity. But the Lord helped me still to go one reading till I came to Chap. 30 the seven first verses, where I sound, There was mer∣cy promised again, if we would return to him by repor∣tance; and though we were scartered from one end of the Earth to the other, yet the Lord would gather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together, and turn all those curses upon our Enemies, I do not desire to live to forget this Scripture, and what comfort it was to me.

Now the Ind. began to talk of removing from this place, some one way, and some another. There were now besides my self nine, English Captives in this place (all of them Children, except one Woman) I got an opportunity to go and take my leave of them; they being to go one way, and I another, I asked them whether they were earnest with God for deliverance, they told me, they did as they were able, and it was some comfort to me, that the Lord stirred up Children to look to him. The Woman viz. Goodwife Jostin told me, she should never see me again, and that she could find in her heart to run away; I wisht her not to tun away by any means, for we were near thirty miles from any En∣glish Town, and she very big with Child, and had but one week to reckon; and another Child in her Arms, two years old, and bad Rivers there were to go over, & we were feeble, with our poor & course entertainment. I had my Bible with me, I pulled it out, and asked her whether she would read; we opened the Bible and lighted on Psal. 27. in which Psalm we especially took notice of that, ver. alt, Wait no the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine Heart, wait I say on the Lord.

The fourth Remove.

And now I must part with that little Company I had. Here I parted from my Daughter Mary, (whom I never saw again till I saw her in Dorcester, returned from Captivity, and from four little Cou∣sins

and Neighbours, some of which I never saw af∣terward: the Lord only knows the end of them. Amongst them also was that poor Woman before mentioned, who came to a sad end, as some of the company told me in my travel: She having much grief upon her Spirit, about her miserable conditi∣on, being so near her time, she would be often ask∣ing the Indians to let her go home; they not being willing to that, and yet vexed with her importuni∣ty, gathered a great company together about her, and stript her naked, and set her in the midst of them; and when they had sung and danced about her (in their hellish manner) as long as they plea∣sed, they knockt her on head, and the child in her arms with her: when they had done that, they made a fire and put them both into it, and told the other Children that were with them, that if they attempted to go home, they would serve them in like manner: The Children said, she did not shed one tear, but prayed all the while. But to return to my own Journey; we travelled about half a day or little more, and came to a desolate place in the Wilderness, where there were no Wigwams or In∣habitants before; we came about the middle of the afternoon to this place; cold and wet, and snowy, and hungry, and weary, and no refreshing, for man, but the cold ground to sit on, and our poor Indian cheer.

Heart-aking thoughts here I had about my poor Children, who were scattered up and down among the

wild beasts of the forrest: My head was light & dissey (either through hunger or hard lodging, or trouble or altogether) my knees feeble, my body raw by sitting double night and day, that I cannot express to man the affliction that lay upon my Spirit, but the Lord helped me at that time to express it to himself. I opened my Bible to read, and the Lord brought that precious Scripture to me, Jer. 31.16. Thus saith the Lord, refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewar∣ded, and they shall come again from the land of the Enemy. This was a sweet Cordial to me, when I sat down, and weept sweetly over this Scripture. At this place we continued about four dayes.

The fifth Remove.

The occasion (as I thought) of their moving at this time, was, the English Army it being near and fol∣lowing them: For they went, as if they had gone for their lives, for some considerable way, and then they made a stop, and chose some of their stoutest men, and sent them back to hold the English Army in play whilst the rest escaped: And then, like Jehu, they marched on furiously, with their old, and with their young: some carried their old decrepit mothers, some carried one, and some another. Four of them carried a great Indian upon a Bier; but going through a thick Wood with him, they were hind∣red, and could make no hast; whereupon they took

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him upon their backs, and carried him, one at a time, till they came to Bacquaug River. Upon a Friday, a little after noon we came to this River. When all the company was come up, and were ga∣thered together, I thought to count the number of them, but they were so many, and being somewhat in motion, it was beyond my skil. In this travel, because of my wound, I was somewhat favoured in my load; I carried only my knitting work and two quarts of parched meal: Being very faint I asked my mistriss to give me one spoonfull of the meal, but she would not give me a taste. They quickly sell to cutting dry trees, to make Rafts to carry them over the river: and soon my turn came to go over: By the advantage of some brush which they had laid upon the Raft to sit upon, I did not wet my foot (which many of themselves at the other end were mid-leg deep) which cannot but be acknowledged as a favour of God to my weak∣ned body, it being a very cold time. I was not be∣fore acquainted with such kind of doings or dan∣gers. When thou passst through the water I will be with thee, and through the Rivers th•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 over∣flow thee, Isai. 43.2. A certain number of us got o∣ver the River that night, but it was the night after the Sabbath before all the company was got over. On the Saturday they boyled an old Horses leg which they had got) and so we drank of the broth, ••s soon as they thought it was ready, and when it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 almost all gone, they filled it up again.

The first week of my being among them, I hardly ate any thing; the second week, I found my stomach grow very faint for want of something; and yet it was very hard to get down their filthy trash: but the third week, though I could think how formerly my stomach would turn against this or that, and I could starve and dy before I could eat such things, yet they were sweet and savoury to my taste. I was at this time knitting a pair of white cotton stockins for my mistriss: and had not yet wrought upon a Sabbath day; when the Sabbath came they bade me go to work; I told them it was the Sabbath-day, and de∣sired them to let me rest, and told them I would do as much more to morrow; to which they answer∣ed me, they would break my face. And here I can∣not but take notice of the strange providence of God in preserving the heathen: They were many hundreds, old and young, some sick, and some lame many had Papooses at their backs, the greatest num∣ber at this time with us, were Squams, and they travelled with all they had, bag and baggage, and yet they got over this River aforesaid; and on Munday they set their Wigwams on fire, and away they went: On that very day came the English Army after them to this River, and saw the smoak of their Wigwams, and yet this River put a stop to them. God did not give them courage or activity to go over after us; we were not ready for so great a mercy as victory and deliverance; if we had been, God would have sound out a way for the English

to have passed this River, as well as for the Indians with their Squaws and Children, and all their Lug∣gage: Oh that my People had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways, I should soon have sub∣dued their Enemies, and turned my hand against their Adversaries, Psal. 81.13.14.

The sixth Remove.

On Munday (as I said) they set their Wigwams on fire, and went away. It was a cold morning, and before us there was a great Brook with ice on it; some waded throgh it, up to the knees & higher, but others went till they came to a Beaver-dam, and I amongst them, where through the good providence of God, I did not wet my foot. I went along that day mourning and lamenting, leaving farther my own Country, and travelling into the vast and howling Wilderness, and I understood something of Lot's Wife's Temptation, when she looked back: we came that day to a great Swamp, by the side of which we took up our lodging that night. When I came to the brow of the hil, that looked toward the Swamp, I thought we had been come to a great In∣dian Town (though there were none but our own Company) The Indians were as thick as the trees: it seemd as if there had been a thousand Hatchets going at once: if one looked before one, there was nothing but Indians, and behind one, nothing but Indians, and so on either hand, I my self in the midst, and no Christian soul near me, and yet how

hath the Lord preserved me insafety? Oh the expe∣rience that I have had of the goodness of God, to me and mine!

The seventh Remove.

After a restless and hungry night there, we had a wearisome time of it the next day. The Swamp by which we lay, was, as it were, a deep Dungeon, and an exceeding high and steep hill before it. Before I got to the top of the hill, I thought my heart and legs, and all would have broken, and failed me. What through faintness, and soreness of body, it was a grievous day of travel to me. As we went along, I saw a place where English Cattle had been: that was comfort to me, such as it was: quickly af∣ter that we came to an English Path, which so took with me, that I thought I could have freely lyan down and dyed. That day, a little after noon, we came to Squaukheag, where the Indians quickly spread themselves over the deserted English Fields, glean∣ing what they could find; some pickt up ears of Wheat that were crickled down, some found ears of Indian Corn, some found Ground-nuts, and o∣thers sheaves of Wheat that were frozen together in the shock, & went to threshing of them out My self got two ears of Indian Corn, and whilst I did but turn my back, one of them was stolen from 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which much troubled me There came an In∣dian to them at that time, with a basket of Horse-liver; I asked him to give me a piece: What, sayes 〈◊〉〈◊〉, can you eat Horse-liver? I told him, I would try,

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if he would give a piece, which he did, and I laid it on the coals to rost; but before it was half ready, they got half of it away from me, so that I was fain to take the rest and eat it as it was, with the blood about my mouth, and yet a savoury bit it was to me: For to the hungry Soul every bitter thing is sweet. A solemn sight methought it was, to see Fields of wheat and Indian Corn forsaken and spoi∣led: and the remainders of them to be food for our merciless Enemies. That night we had a mess of wheat for our Supper.

The eight Remove.

On the morrow morning we must go over the River, i. e. Connecticot, to meet with King Philip, two Cannoos full, they had carried over, the next Turn j my self was to go; but as my foot was upon the Cannoo to step in, there was a sudden out-cry among them, and j must step back; and instead of going over the River, j must go four or five miles up the River farther Northward. Some of the jndians ran one way, and some another. The cause of this rout was, as j thought, their espying some English Scouts, who were thereabout. In this travel up the River; about noon the Compa∣ny made a stop, and sate down; some to eat, and others to rest them. As I sate amongst them, mu∣sing of things past, my Son Joseph unexpectedly came to me: we asked of each others welfare▪ be∣moaning our dolefull condition, and the change that had come upon us: We had Husbands and

Father, and Children, and Sisters, and Friends, and Relations, and House, and Home, and many Com∣forts of this Life: but now we may say, as Job, Naked came I out of my Mothers Womb, and nak∣ed shall I return: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord. I asked him whither he would read; he told me, he earnestly desired it, J gave him my Bible, and he lighted upon that comfortable Scripture, Psal. 18.17, 18. I shall not dy but live, and declare the works of the Lord: the Lord hath chastened me sore, yet he hath not given me over to death. Look here, Mother (sayes he) did you read this? And here I may take occasion to mention one principall ground of my setting forth these Lines: even as the Psalmist sayes, To dealare the Works of the Lord, and his wonderfull Power in carrying us along, preserving us in the Wilderness, while under the Enemies hand, and returning of us in safe∣ty again. And His goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my distress. But to Return, We travelled on till night; and in the morning, we must go over the River to Philip's Crew. When I was in the Cannoo, I could not but be amazed at the nume∣rous crew of Pagans that were on the Bank on the other side. When J came ashore, they gathered all about me, I sitting alone in the midst: I obser∣ved they asked one another questions, and laugh∣ed, and rejoyced over their Gains and Victories.

Then my heart began to fail: and I fell a weeping; which was the first time to my remembrance, that J wept before them. Although J had met with so much Affliction, and my heart was many times ready to break, yet could J not shed one tear in their sight: but rather had been all this while in a maze, and like one astonished: but now J may say as, Psal 137.1. By the Rivers of Baby∣lon, there we sate down: yea, we wept when we re∣membred Zion. There one of them asked me, why J wept, J could hardly tell what to say: yet J an∣swered, they would kill me: No, said he, none will hurt you. Then came one of them and gave me two spoon-fulls of Meal to comfort me, and another gave me half a pint of Pease; which was more worth than many Bushels at another time. Then J went to see King Philip, he bade me come in and sit down, and asked me whether J would smoke it (a usual Complement now adayes amongst Saints and Sinners) but this no way suited me. For though I had formerly used Tobacco, yet I had left it ever since I was first taken. It seems to be a Bait, the Devil layes to make men loose their precious time: J remember with shame, how formerly, when J had taken two or three pipes, J was presently rea∣dy for another, such a bewitching thing it is: But J thank God, he has now given me power over it: surely there are many who may be better imploy∣ed than to ly sucking a stinking Tobacco-pipe.

Now the Indians gather their Forces to go a∣gainst

North-Hampton: over-night one went about yelling and hooting to give notice of the design. Whereupon they fell to boyling of Ground-nuts, and parching of Corn (as many as had it) for their Provision: and in the morning away they went: During my abode in this place, Philip spake to me to make a shirt for his boy, which I did, for which he gave me a shilling: I offered the mony to my master, but he bade me keep it: and with it J bought a piece of Horse flesh. Afterwards he asked me to make a Cap for his boy, for which he invited me to Din∣ner. J went, and he gave me a Pancake, about as big as two fingers; it was made of parched wheat, beaten, and fryed in Bears grease, but I though I never tasted pleasanter meat in my life. There was a Squaw who spake to me to make a shirt for her Sannup, for which she gave me a piece of Bear. Another asked me to knit a pair of Stockins, for which she gave me a quart of Pease: J boyled my Pease and Bear together, and invited my master and mistriss to dinner, but the proud Gossip, be cause J served them both in one Dish, would eat nothing, except on bit that he gave her upon the point of his knife. Hearing that my son was come to this place, J went to see him, and found him lying flat upon the ground: J asked him how he could sleep so? he answered me, That he was not asleep, but at Prayer; and lay so that they might not observe what he was doing. J pray God he may remem∣ber these things now he is returned in safety. At

this Place (the Sun now getting higher) what with the beams and heat of the Sun, and the smoak of the Wigwams, J thought I should have been blind, I could scarce discern one Wigwam from another, There was here one Mary Thurston of Medfield, who seeing how it was with me, lent me a Hat to wear: but as soon as I was gone, the Squaw who owned that Mary Thurston) came running after me, and got it away again. Here was the Squaw that gave me one spoonfull of Meal. I put it in my Pocket to keep it safe: yet notwithstanding some body stole it, but put five Indian Corns in the room of it: which Corns were the greatest Provisions J had in my travel for one day.

The Indians returning from North-Hamptom, brought with them some Horses, and Sheep, and o∣ther things which they had taken: J desired them, that they would carry me to Albany, upon one of those Horses, and sell me for Powder: for so they had sometimes discoursed. J was utterly hopless of getting home on foot, the way that I came. I could hardly bear to think of the many weary sheps J had taken, to come to this place.

The ninth Remove.

But in stead of going either to Albany or home∣ward, we must go five miles up the River, and then go over it. Here we abode a while. Here lived a sorry Indian, who spoke to me to make him a shirt, when I had done it, he would pay we nothing. But

he living by the River side, where I often went to setch water, I would often be putting of him in mind, and calling for my pay: at last he told me, if I would make another shirt, for a Papoos not yet born, he would give me a knife, which he did when I had done it. I carried the knife in, and my ma∣ster asked me to give it him, and I was not a little glad that I had any thing that they would accept of, and be pleased with. When we were at this place, my Masters maid came home, she had been gone three weeks into the Narrhaganset Country, to fetch Corn, where they had stored up some in the ground: she brought home about a peck and half of Corn. This was about the time that their great Captain, Naananto, was killed in the Narrhagan∣set Countrey. My Son being now about a mile from me, I asked liberty to go and see him, they bade me go, and away I went: but quickly lost my self, travelling over Hills and thorough Swamps, and could not find the way to him. And I cannot but ad∣mire at the wonderfull power and goodness of God to me, in that, though I was gone from home, and met with all sorts of Indian, and those I had no knowledge of, and there being no Christian soul near me; yet not one of them offered the least ima∣ginable miscarriage to me. I turned homeward a∣gain, and met with my master, he shewed me the way to my Son: When I came to him I found him not well; and withall he had a boyl on his side, which much troubled him: We bemoaned one ano∣ther

while, as the Lord helped us, and then I re∣turned again. When I was returned, I found my self as unsatisfied as I was before. I went up and down mourning and lamenting: and my spirit was ready to sink, with the thoughts of my poor Child∣ren: my Son was ill, and I could not but think of his mournfull looks, and no Christian-Friend was near him, to do any office of love for him, either for Soul or Body. And my poor Girl, I knew not where she was, nor whither she was sick, or well, or alive, or dead. J repaired under these thoughts to my Bible (my great comfort in that time) and that Scripture came to my hand, Cast thy burden u∣pon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee, Psal. 55.22.

But I was fain to go and look after something to fatisfie my hunger, and going among the Wigwams, J went into one, and there found a Squaw who, shewed her self very kind to me, and gave me a piece of Bear. J put it into my pocket, and came home, but could not find an opportunity to broil it, for fear they would get it from me, and there it lay all that day and night in my stinking pocket. In the morning J went to the same Squaw, who had a Kettle of Ground nuts boyling; J asked her to let me boyle my piece of Bear in her Kettle, which she did, and gave me some Ground-nuts to eat with it: and J cannot but think how pleasant it was to me. J have sometime seen Bear bake very handsomly among the English, and some liked it, but the thoughts that it was Bear, made me

tremble: but now that was savoury to me that one would think was enough to turn the stomacn of a bruit Creature.

One bitter cold day, j could find no room to sit down before the fire: I went out, and could not tell what to do, but I went in to another Wigwam, where they were also sitting round the fire, but the Squaw laid a skin for me, and bid me sit down, and gave me some Ground-nuts, and bade me come again: and told me they would buy me, if they were able, and yet these were strangers to me that I never saw before.

The tenth Remove.

That day a small part of the Company removed about three quarters of a mile, intending further the next day. When they came to the place where they intended to lodge, and bad pitched their wig∣wams; being hungry J went again back to the place we were before at, to get something to eat: being encouraged by the Squaws kindness, who bade me come again; when J was there, there came an Indian to look after me, who when he had found me, kickt me all along: J went home and found Venison roasting that night, but they would not give me one bit of it. Sometimes J met with favour, and sometimes with nothing but frowns.

The eleventh Remove.

The next day in the morning they took their Tra∣vel, intending a dayes journey up the River, j took

my load at my back, and quickly we came to wade o∣ver the River: and passed over tiresome and we ari∣some hills. One hill was so steep that J was fain to creep up upon my knees, and to hold by the twiggs and bushes to keep my self from falling backward. My head also was so light, that J usually reeled as J went; but J hope all these wearisome steps that j have taken, are but a forewarning of me to the heavenly rest. I know, O Lord, that thy Judge∣ments are right, and that thou in faithfulness ••ast af∣flicted me, Psal. 119 71.

The twelfth Remove.

It was upon a Sabbath-day-morning, that they prepared for their Travel. This morning j asked my master whither he would sell me to my Hus∣band; he answered me Nux, which did much re∣joyce my spirit. My mistriss, before we went, was gone to the burial of a Papoos, and returning, she found me sitting and reading in my Bible; she snatched it hastily out of my hand, and threw it out of doors; I ran out and catcht it up, and put it into my pocket, and never let her see it afterward. Then they packed up their things to be gone, and gave me my load: I complained it was too heavy, whereupon she gave me a slap in the face, and bade me go; I lifted up my heart to God, hoping that Redemption was not far off: and the rather because their insolency grew worse and worse.

But the thoughts of my going homeward (for we bent our course) much cheared my Spirit, and

made my burden seem light, and almost nothing at all. But (to my amazment and great perplexity) the scale was soon turned: for when we had gone a little way, on a sudden my mistriss gives out, she would go no further, but turn back again, and said. I must go back again with her, and she called her Sannup, and would have had him gone back also, but he would not, but said, He would go on, and come to us again in three dayes. My Spirit was u∣pon this, I confess, very impatient, and almost outragious. I thought I could as well have dyed as went back: I cannot declare the trouble that I was in about it; but yet back again I must go. As soon as I had an opportunity, I took my Bible to read, and that quieting Scripture came to my hand, Psal. 46.10. Be still, and know that I am God. Which stilled my spirit for the present: But a sore time of tryal, I concluded, J had to go through. My master being gone, who seemed to me the best, friend that I had of an Indian, both in cold and hun∣ger, and quickly so it proved. Down I sat, with my heart as full as it could hold, and yet so hungry that I could not sit neither: but going out to see what I could find, and walking among the Trees, I found six Acrons, and two Ches-nuts, which were some refreshment to me. Towards Night I gathe∣red me some sticks for my own comfort, that I might not ly a-cold: but when we came to ly down they bade me go out, and ly some-where-else, for they had company (they said) come in more than

their own: I told them, I could not tell where to go, they bade me go look; I told them, if I went to another Wigwam they would be angry, and send m•• home again. Then one of the Company drew his sword, and told me he would run me thorough if I did not go presently. Then was I fain to stoop to this ••ude fellow, and to go out in the night, J knew not whither. Mine eyes have seen that fellow afterwards walking up and down Boston, under the appearance of a Friend-Indian, and severall others of the like Cut. I went to one Wigwam, and they told me they had no room. Then I went to ano∣ther, and they said the same; at last an old Indian bade me come to him, and his Squaw give me some Ground-nuts; she gave me also something to lay under my head, and a good fire we had: and through the good providence of God, I had a com∣fortable lodging that night. In the morning, ano∣ther Indian bade me come at night, and he would give me six Ground nuts, which I did. We were at this place and time about two miles from Con∣necticut River. We went in the morning to gather Ground nuts, to the River, and went back again that night. I went with a good load at my back for they when they went, though but a little way, would carry all their trumpery with them) I told them the skin was off my back, but J had no other comforting answer from them than this, That i•• would be no matter if myhead were off too.

The thirteenth Remove.

Instead of going toward the Bay, which was that I desired, I must go with them five or six miles down the River into a mighty Thicket of Brush: where we abode almost a fortnight. Here one asked me to make a shirt for her Papoos, for which she gave me a mess of Broth, which was thickened with meal made of the Bark of a Tree, and to make it the bet∣ter, she had put into it about a handfull of Pease, and a sew roasted Ground-nuts, J had not seen my son a pritty while, and here was an Indian of whom J made inquiry after him, and asked him when he saw him: he answered me, that such a time his ma∣ster roasted him, and that himself did eat a piece of him, as big as his two fingers, and that he was very good meat: But the Lord upheld my Spirit, under this discouragement; and I considered their horrible addictedness to lying, and that there is not one of them that makes the least conscience of speaking of truth. In this place, on a cold night, as I lay by the fire, J removed a stick that kept the heat from me, a Squaw moved it down again, at which I lookt up, and she threw a handfull of ashes in mine eyes; J thought J should have been quite blinded, and have never seen more: but lying down, the water run out of my eyes, and carried the dirt with it, that by the morning, I recovered my sight again. Yet upon this, and the like occasions, I hope it is not too much to say with Job, Have pitty upon me, have pitty upon me, O ye my Friends, for the Hand

of the Lord has touched me. And here I cannot but remember how many times sitting in their Wig∣wams, and musing on things past, I should sudden∣ly leap up and run out, as if I had been at home, forgetting where I was, and what my condition was: But when I was without, and saw nothing but Wilderness, and Woods, and a company of bar∣barous heathens: my mind quickly returned to me, which made me think of that, spoken concerning Sampson, who said, I will go out and shake myself as at other times, but he wist not that the Lord was de∣parted from him. About this time I began to think that all my hopes of Restoration would come to no∣thing. I thought of the English Army, and hoped for their coming, and being taken by them, but that failed. I hoped to be carried to Albany, at the Indians had discoursed before, but that failed also. I thought of being sold to my Husband, as my master spake, but in stead of that, my master himself was gone, and j left behind, so that my Spi∣rit was now quite réady to sink. J asked them to let me go out and pick up some sticks, that j might get alone, And poure out my heart unto the Lord. Then also j took my Bible to read, but j found no comfort here neither: which many times j was went to find: So easie a thing it is with God to dry up the Streames of Scripture-comfort from us. Yet j can say, that in all my sorrows and afflictions, God did not leave me to have my impatience work to∣wards himself, as if his wayes were unrighteous.

But I knew that he laid upon me less then j deserved Afterward, before this dolefull time ended with me, I was turning the leaves of my Bible, and the Lord brought to me some Scriptures, which did a little revive me, as that Isai. 55.8 For my thoughts are not your thougts, neither are your wayes my ways saith the Lord. And also that, Psal. 37.5. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shal bring it to pass. About this time they came yelping from Hadly, where they had killed three English men, and brought one Captive with them, viz. Thomas Read. They all gathered about the poor Man, asking him many Questions. I desir∣ed-also to go and see him; and when I came, he was crying bitterly: supposing they would quickly kill him. Whereupon j asked one of them, whe∣ther they intended to kill him; he answered me, they would not: He being a little cheared with that, I asked him about the wel-fare of my Hus∣thand, he told me he saw him such a time in the Bay, and he was well, but very melancholly. By which I certainly understood (though I suspected it before) that whatsoever the Indians told me respecting him was vanity and lies. Some of them told me, he was dead, and they had killed him: some said he was Married again, and that the Governour wish∣ed him to Marry; and told him he should have his choice, and that all perswaded I was dead. So like were these barbarous creatures to him who was a lyar from the beginning.

As I was sitting once in the Wigwam here, Phillps Maid came in with the Child in her arms, and ask∣ed me to give het a piece of my Apron, to make a flap for it, I told her I would not: then my Mist: riss bad me give it, but still I said no: the maid told me if I would not give her a piece, she would tear a piece off it: I told her I would tear her Coat then with that my Mistriss rises up, and takes up a stick big enough to have killed me, and struck at me with it, but J stept out, and she struck the stick into the Mat of the Wigwam. But while she was pull∣ing of it out, j ran to the Maid and gave her all my Apron, and so that storm went over.

Hearing that my Son was come to this place, I went to see him, and told him his Father was well, but very melancholly: he told me he was as much grieved for his Father as for himself; I wondred at his speech, for I thought I had enough upon my spirit in reference to my self, to make me mindless of my Husband and every one else: they being safe among their Friends. He told me also, that a while before, his Master (together with other Indians) where going to the French for Powder; but by the way the Mohawks met with them, and killed four of their Company which made the rest turn back again, for which I desire that myself and he may bless the Lord; for it might have been worse with him, had he been sold to the French, than it pro∣ved to be in his remaining with the Indians

I went to see an English Youth in this place, one

John Gilberd of Spring field J found him lying without dores, upon to ground; j asked him how he did? he told me he was very sick of a flux, with eating so much blood: They had turned him out of the Wigwam, and with him an indian Papoos, almost dead, (whose Parents had been killed) in a bitter cold day, without fire or clothes: the young man himself had nothing on, but his shirt & wast∣coat. This sight was enough to melt a heart of flint. There they lay quivering in the Cold, the youth round like a dog; the Papoos stretcht out, with his eyes and nose and mouth full of dirt, and yet alive, and groaning. j advised John to go and get to some fire: he told me he could not stand, but •• perswaded him still, left he shouldly there and die: and with much adoe j got him to a fire, and went my self home. As soon as j was got home, his Masters Daughter came after me, to know what j had done with the English man, j told her j had got him to a fire in such a place. Now had j need to pray Pauls Prayer, 2 Thess. 3.2. That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. For her satisfaction j went along with her, and brought her to him; but before j got home again, it was noised about, that j was running away and getting the English youth: along with me: that as soon as I came in, they began to rant and domineer: asking me where j had been, and what j had been doing? and saying they would knock him on the head: I told them, j had been seeing

the English Youth, and that I would not run away, they told me I lyed, and taking up a Hatchet, they came to me, and said they would knock me down if I stirred out again; and so confined me to the Wigwam. Now may J say with David, 2 Sam. 24.14. I am in a great strait. If I keep in, I must dy with hunger, and if I go out, I must be knockt in head. This distressed condition held that day, and half the next; And then the Lord remembred me, whose mercyes are great. Then came an Indian to me with a pair of stockings that were too big for him, and he would have me ravel them out, and knit them fit for him. I shewed my self willing, and bid him ask my mistriss if I might go along with him a little way; she said yes, J might, but J was not a little refresht with that news, that J had my liberty again. Then J went along with him, and he gave me some roasted Ground-nuts, which did again revive my feeble stomach.

Being got out of her sight: J had time and liber∣ty again to look into my Bible: Which was my Guid by day, and my Pillow by night. Now that comfortable Scripture presonted it self to me, Isa. 54.7. For a smal moment have I forsaken thee▪ but with great mercies will I gather thee. Thus the Lord car∣ried me along from one time to another, and made good to me this precious promise, and many o∣thers. Then my Son came to see me, and J asked his master to let him stay a while with me, that J

might comb his head, and look over him, for he was almost over come with lice. He told me, when I had done, that he was very hungry, but I had nothing to relieve him; but bid him go into the Wigwams as he went along, and see if he could get any thing among them. Which he did, and it seemes tarried a little too long; for his Master was angry with him, and beat him, and then sold him. Then he came running to tell me he had a new Mas∣ter. and that he had given him some Groundouts already. Then I went along with him to his new Master who told me he loved him: and he should not want. So his Master carried him away, & j never saw him afterward. till j saw him at Pas∣cataqua in Portsmouth.

That night they bade me go out of the Wigwam again: my Mistrisses Papoos was sick, and it died that night, and there was one benefit in it, that there was more room. J went to a Wigwam, and they bade me come in, and gave me a skin to ly upon, and a mess of Venson and Ground-nuts, which was a choice Dish among them. On the morrow they burried the Papoos, and afterward, both morning and evening, there came a company to mourn and howle with her: though j confess, j could not much condole with them. Many sorrowfull dayes j had in this place: often getting alone; like a Crane, or a Swallow so did I chatter: I did mourn as a Dove, mine eyes fail with looking upward Oh, Lord j am oppressed, undertake for me, Isa. 38 14

I could tell the Lord as Hezeakiah, ver. 3. Remem∣ber now O Lord, I beseech thee, kow I have walked before thee in truth. Now had I time to examine al my wayes: my Conscience did not accuse me of un-righteousness toward one or other: yet I saw how in m y walk with God, I had been a careless creature. As David said, Against thee, thee only have I sinned: & I might say with the poor Publi∣can, God be mereiful unto me a sinner. On the Sab∣bath-dayes, I could look upon the Sun and think how People were going to the house of God, to have their Souls refresht; & then home, and their bodies also: but I was destitute of both; & might say as the poor Prodigal, he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the Swine did eat, and no man gave unto him, Luke 15.16 For I must say with him, Father I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, ver 21. I remembred how on the night before & after the Sabbath, when my Fami∣ly was about me, and Relations and Neighbours with us, we could pray and sing, and then refresh our bodies with the good creatures of God; and then have a comfortable Bed to ly down on: but in stead of all this, I had only a little Swill for the body, and then like a Swine, must ly down on the ground. I cannot express to man the sorrow that lay upon my Spirit, the Lord knows it. Yet that comfortable Scripture would often come to my mind, For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.

The fourteenth Remove.

Now must we pack up and be gone from this Thicket, bending our course toward the Bay-towns I haveing nothing to eat by the way this day, but a few crumbs of Cake, that an Indian gave my girle the same day we were taken. She gave it me, and I put it in my pocket: there it lay, till it was so mouldy (for want of good baking) that one could not tell what it was made of; it fell all to crumbs, & grew so dry and hard, that it was like little flints; & this refreshed me many times, when I was ready to faint. It was in my thoughts when I put it into my mouth; that if ever I return∣ed, I would tell the World what a blessing the Lord gave to such mean sood. As we went along, they killed a Deer, with a young one in her, they gave me a piece of the Fawn, and it was so young and tender, that one might eat the bones as well as the flesh, and yet I thought it very good. When night came on we sate down; it rained, but they quickly got up a Bark Wigwam, where I lay dry that night. I looked out in the morning, and many of them had line in the rain all night, I saw by their Reaking. Thus the Lord dealt mercifully with me many times, and I fared, better than many of them. In the morning they took the blood of the Deer, and put it into the Paunch, and so boyled 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ I could eat nothing of that, though they ate it ••we••••tly. And yet they were so nice in other things,

that when I had fetcht water, and had put the Dish I dipt the water with, into the Kettle of water which I brought, they would say, they would knock me down; for they said, it was a sluttish trick.

The fifteenth Remove.

We went on our Travel. I having got one handfull of Ground-nuts, for my support that day they gave me my load, and j went on cheerfully [with the thoughts of going homeward] haveing my burden more on my back than my spirit: we came to Baquang River again that day, near which we abode a few dayes Sometimes one of them would give me a Pipe, another a little Tobacco, another a little Salt: which I would change for a little Victuals. I cannot but think what a Wolvish appetite persons have in a starving condition: for many times when they gave me that which was hot, I was so greedy, that I should burn my mouth, that it would trouble me hours af∣ter, and yet I should quickly do the same again. And after I was thorougly hungry, I was never a∣gain satisfied. For though sometimes it fell out, that I got enough, and did eat till I could eat no more, yet I was as unsatisfied as J was when I be∣gan. And now could J see that Scripture verified (there being many Scriptures which we do not take notice of, or understand till we are affli&ed) Mic. 6.14. Thou shalt eat and not be satisfied. Now might I see more than ever before, the miseries that

sin hath brought upon us: Many times I should be ready to run out against the Heathen, but the Scri∣pture would quiet me again, Amos, 3 6. Shal there be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? The Lord help me to make a right improvment of His Word, and that I might learn that great lesson, Mic. 6.8, 9. He hath shewed thee (Oh Man) what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God? Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

The sixteenth Remove.

We began this Remove with wading over Baquag River: the water was up to the knees, and the stream very swift, and so cold that I thought it would have cut me in sunder. j was so weak and seeble, that j reeled as I went along, and thought there I must end my dayes at last, after my bearing and getting thorough so many difficulties; the Indians stood laughing to see me staggering along: but in my distress the Lord gave me experience of the truth, and goodness of that promise, Isai. 43.2. When thou passest thorough the Waters, I will be with thee, and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Then I sat down to put on my stockins and shoos, with the teares running down mine eyes, and many sorrowfull thoughts in my heart, but I gat up to go along with them. Quickly there came up to us an In∣dian, who informed them, that I must go to Wachu∣set to my master, for there was a Letter come from

the Council to the Saggamores, about redeeming the Captives, and that there would be another in fourteen dayes, and that I must be there ready. My heart was so heavy before that I could scarce speak or go in the path; and yet now so light, that J could run. My strength seemed to come again, and recruit my feeble knees, and aking heart: yet it pleased them to go but one mile that night, and there we stayed two dayes. In that time came a company of Indians to us, near thirty, all on horse-back. My heart skipt within me, thinking they had been English men at the first sigbt of them, for they were dressed in English Apparel, with Hats, white Neckcloths,, and Sashes about their wasts, and Rib∣bonds upon their shoulders: but when they came near, their was a vaft difference between the love∣ly faces of Christians, and the foul looks of those Heathens, which much damped my spirit again.

The seventeenth Remove.

A comfortable Remove it was to me, because of my hopes. They gave me a pack, and along we went chearfully; but quickly my will proved more than my strength; having little or no refreshing my strength failed me, and my spirit were almost quite gone. Now may I say with David, Psal. I 19.22, 23, 24. I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like the shadow when it dec••ineth: I am tossed up and down like the locusts: my knees are weak through fasting, and my flish fail∣eth

offainess. At night we came to an Indian Town, and the Indians sate down by a Wigwam discours∣ing, but J was almost spent, and could scarce speak. I laid down my load, and went into the Wigwam, and there sat an Indian boyling of Horses feet (they being wont to eat the flesh first, and when the feet were old and dried, and they had nothing else, they would cut off the feet and use them) I asked him to give me a little of his Broth, or Water they were boiling in; he took a dish, and gave me one spoon∣full of Samp, and bid me take as much of the Broth as I would. Then I put some of the hot water to the Samp, and drank it up, and my spirit came a∣gain. He gave me also a piece of the Ruff or Rid∣ding of the small Guts, and I broiled it on the coals; and now may I say with Jonathan, See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because j tast∣ed a little of this honey, 1 Sam. 14.29. Now is my Spirit revived again, though means be never so in∣considerable, yet if the Lord bestow his blessing u∣pon them, they shall refresh both Soul and Body.

The eighteenth Remove.

We took up our packs and along we went, but a wearisome day I had of it. As we went along I saw an English-man stript naked, and lying dead upon the ground, but knew not who it was. Then we came to another Indian Town, where we stayed all night. In this Town there were four English Chil∣dren, Captives; and one of them my own Sisters.

I went to see how she did, and she was well, con∣sidering her Captive-condition. I would have tar∣ried that night with her, but they that owned her would not suffer it. Then I went into another Wig∣wam, where they were boyling Corn and Beant, which was alovely sight to see, but J could not get a taste thereof. Then I went to another Wigwam, where there were two of the English Children; the Squaw was boyling Horses feet, then she cut me off a little piece, and gave one of the English Chil∣dren a piece also. Being very hungry I had quickly eat up mine, but the Child could not bite it, it was so tough and sinewy, but lay sucking, gnawing, chewing and slabbering of it in the moutb and band, then I took it of the Child, and eat it my self, and favoury it was to my taste. Then I may say as Job Chap. 6.7. The things that my soul refused to touch, are as my sorrowfull meat. Thus the Lord made that pleasant refreshing, which another time would have been an abomination. Then I went home to my mistresses Wigwam; and they told me I disgraced my master with begging, and if I did so any more, they would knock me in head: I told them, they had as good knock me in head as starve me to death.

The ninteenth Remove.

They said, when we went out, that we must travel to Wachuset this day. But a bitter weary day I had of it, travelling now three dayes to gether, without resting any day between. At last, after many wea∣ry

steps, I saw Wachuset hills, but many miles off. Then we came to a great Swamp, through which we travelled up to the knees, in mud and water, which was heavy going to one tyred before. Be∣ing almost spent, I thought I should have sunk down at last, and never gat out; but I may say, as in Psal. 94.18. When my foot slipped, thy mercy, O Lord held me up. Going along, having indeed my life, but little spirit, Philip, who was in the Com∣pany, came up and took me by the hand, and said, Two weeks more and you shal be Mistress again. I asked him, if he spake true? he answered, Yes, and quickly you shal come to your master again; who had been gone from us three weeks. After many weary steps we came to Wachuset, where he was: and glad I was to see him. He asked me, When J washt me? J told him not this month, then he fetcht me some water himself, and bid me wash, and gave me the Glass to see how j lookt; and bid his Squaw give me something to eat: so she gave me a mess of Beans and meat, and a little Ground-nut Cake. I was wonderfully revived with this favour shewed me, Psal. 106.46 He made them also to be pittied, of all those that carried them Captives.

My master had three Squaws, living sometimes with one, and sometimes with another one, this old Squaw, at whose Wigwan j was, and with whom my Master had been those three weeks. Another was Wettimore, with whom I had lived and served all this while: A severe and proud Dame she was;

bestowing every day in dressing her self neat as much time as any of the Gentry of the land: pow∣dering her hair, and painting her face, going with Neck-laces, with Jewels in her ears, and Bracelets upon her hands: When she had dressed her self, her work was to make Girdles of Wampom and Biads. The third Squaw was a younger one, by whom he had two Papooses. By that time I was refresht by the old Squaw, with whom my master was, Wet∣timores Maid came to call me home, at which I fell a weeping. Then the old Squaw told me, to encou∣rage me, that if I wanted victuals, j should come to her, and that j shouldly there in her Wigwam. Then j went with the maid, and quickly came again and lodged there. The Squaw laid a Mat under me, and a good Rugg over me; the first time J had any such kindness showed me. J understood that Wettimore thought, that if she should let me go and serve with the old Squaw, she would be in danger to loose, not only my service, but the redemption∣pay also. And j was not a little glad to hear this; being by it raised in my hopes, that in Gods due time there would be an end of this sorrowfull hour. Then came an Indians and asked me to knit him three pair of Stockins, for which j had a Hat, and a silk handkerchief. Then another asked me to mak her a shift, for which she gave me an Apron.

Then came Tom and Peter, with the second Let∣ter from the Council, about the Captives. Though they were Indians, j gat them by the hand, and

burst out into tears; my heart was so full that J could not speak to them; but recovering my self, j asked them how my husband did, & all my friends and acquainiance? they said, They are all very well but melancohly. They brought me two Biskets, and a pound of Tobacco. The Tobacco j quickly gave away; when it was all gone, one asked me to give him a pipe of Tobacco, I told him it was all gone; then began be to rant and threaten. I told him when my Husband camel would give him some: Hang him Rogne (sayes be) I will knock out his brains, if he comes here. And then again, in the same breath they would say, That if there should come an hund∣dred without Guns, they would do them no hurt. So unstable and like mad men they were. So that fear∣ing the worst, I durst not send to my Husband, though there were some thoughts of his coming to Redeem and setch me, not knowing what might follow; For there was little more trust to them then to the master they served. When the Letter was come, the Saggamores met to consult about the Captives, and called me to them to enquire how much my husband would give to redeem me, when I came I sate down among them, as J was wont to do, as their manner is: Then they bade me stand up, and said, they were the General Court. They bid me speak what I thought he would give, Now knowing that all we had was destroyed by the In∣dians, I was in a great strait: I thought if I should speak of but a little, it would be slighted, and hin∣der

the matter; if of a great sum, I knew not where is would be procured: yet at a venture, I said Twenty pounds, yet desired them to take less; but they would not hear of that, but sent that message to Boston, that for Twenty pound. I should be re∣deemed. It was a Praying-Indian that wrote their Letter for them. There was another Praying In∣dian, who told me, that he had a brother, that would not eat Horse; his conscience was so tender and scrupulous (though as large as hell, forthe de∣destruction of poor Christians) Then he said, he read that Scripture to him, 2 Kings, 6.25. There was a samine in Samatia, and behold they besieged it, untill an Asses head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a Kab of Doves dung, for five pieces of silver. He expounded this place to his brother, and shewed him that it was lawfull to eat that in a Famine which is not at another time. And now, sayes he, he will eat Horse with any Indian of them all. There was another Praying-Indian, who when he bad done all the mischief that he could, betrayed his own Father into the English hands, thereby to purchase his own life. Another Praying-Indian was at Sudbury-fight, though, as he deserved, he was afterward hanged for it, There was another Praying Indian, so wicked and cruel, as to wear a string about his neck, strung with Christians fingers. Another Praying-Indian, when they went to Sudbury-fight, went with them, and his Squaw also with him, with her Papoos at her

back: Before they went to that fight, they got a company together to Powaw; the manner was as followeth. There was one that kneeled upon a Deer-skin, with the company round him in a ring who kneeled, and striking upon the ground with their hands, and with sticks; and muttering or humming with their mouths, besides him who kneeled in the ring, there also stood one with a Gun in his hand: Then he one the Deer-skin made a speech, and all manifested assent to it: and so they did many times together. Then they bade him with the Gun go out of the ring, which he did, but when he was out, they called him in again; but he seemed to make a stand, then they called the more earnestly, till he returned again: Then they all sang. Then they gave him two Guns, in either hand one: And so he on the Deer-skin began a∣gain; and at the end of every sentence in his speak∣ing, they all assented, humming or muttering with their mouthes, and striking upon the ground with their hands. Then they bade him with the two Guns go out of the ring again; which he did, a lit∣tle way. Then they called him in again, but he made a stand; so they called him with greater ear∣nestness; but he stood reeling and wavering as if he knew not whither he should stand or fall, or which way to go. Then they called him with ex∣ceeding great vehemency, all of them, one and a∣nother: after a little while he turned in, stagger∣ing as he went, with his Armes stretched out, in

either hand a Gun. As soon as he came in, they all sang and rejoyced exceedingly a while. And then he opened the Deer-skin, made another speech unto which they all assented in a rejoicing manner: and so they ended their business, and forthwith went to Sudbury fight. To my thinking they went without any scruple, but that they should prosper, and gain the victory: And they went out not so rejoycing, but they came home with as great a Vi∣ctory. For they said they had killed two Captains, and almost an hundred men. One English-man they brought along with them: and he said, it was too true, for they had made sad work at Sudbu∣ry, as indeed it proved. Yet they came home with∣out that rejoycing and triumphing over their vi∣ctory, which they were wont to shew at other times: but rather like Dogs (as they say) which have lost their cars. Yet I could not pereceive that it was for their own loss of men: They said, they had not lost above five or six: and I missed none, excep in one Wigwam. When they went, they acted as if the Devil had told them that they should gain the victory: and now they acted, as if the Devil had told them they should have a fall. Whither it were so or no, I cannot tell, but so it proved, for quickly they began to fall, and so held on that Summer, till they came to utter ruine. They came home on a Sabbath day, and the Powaw that kneeled upon the Deer-skin came home (I may say, without abule) as black as the Devil.

When my master came home, be came to me and bid me make a shirt for his Papoos, of a holland∣laced Pillowbeer. About that time there came an Indian to me and bid me come to his Wigwam, at night, and he would give me some Pork & Ground nuts. Which I did, and as I was eating, another Indian said to me, he seems to be your good Friend, but he killed two Englishmen at Sudbury, and there ly their Cloaths behind you: I looked behind me, and there I saw bloody Cloaths, with Bullet holes in them; yet the Lord suffered not this wretch to do me any hurt; Yea, instead of that, he many times refresht me: five or six times did he and his Squaw refresh my feeble carcass. If J went to their Wigwam a•• any time, they would alwayes give me something, and yet they were strangers that I never saw before. Another Squaw gave me a piece of fresh Pork, and a little Salt with it, and lent me her Panto Fry it in; and I cannot but re∣member what a sweet, pleasant and delightfull re∣lish that bit had to me, to this day. So little do we prize common mercies when we have them to the full.

The twentieth Remove.

It was their usual manner to remove, when they bad done any mischief, lest they should be found out: and so they did at this time. We went about three or four miles, and there they built a great Wigwam, big enough to hold an hundred Indians, which they did in preparation to a great day of Dancing.

They would say now amongst themselves, that the Governour would be so angry for his loss at Sudbu∣ry, that he would send no more about the Captives, which made me grieve and tremble. My Sister be∣ing not sar from the place where we now were: and hearing that I was here, desired her master to let her come and see me, and he was willing to it, and would go with her: but she being ready before him, told him she wonld go before, and was come within a Mile or two of the place; Then he overtook her, and began to rant as if he had been mad; and made her go back again in the Rain; so that I never saw her till j saw her in Charlestown. But the Lord requited many of their ill doings, for this Indian her Master, was hanged afterward at Boston. The Indians now began to come from all quarters, against their merry dancing day. Among some of them came one Good wife Kettle: I told her my heart was so heavy that it was ready to break: so is mine too said she, but yet said, I hope we shall hear some good news shortly. I could hear how earnestly my Sister desired to see me, & I as earnest∣ly desired to see her: and yet neither of us could get an opportunity. My Daughter was also now about a mile off, and I had not seen her in nine or ten weeks, as I had not seen my Sister since our first taking. I earnestly desired them to let me go and see them: yea, I intreated, begged, and perswad∣ed them, but to let me see my Daughter; and yet so hard hearred were they, that they would not

suffer it. They made use of their tyrannical power whilst they had it: but through the Lords wonder∣full mercy, their time was now but short.

On a Sabbath day, the Sun being about an hour high in the afternoon; came Mr. John Hoar (the Council permitting him, and his own foreward spirit inclining him) together with the two forementioned Indians, Tom and Peter with their third Letter from the Council When they came near, I was abroad. though I saw them not, they presently called me in, and bade me sit down and not stir. Then they catch∣ed up their Guns, and away they ran, as if an Ene∣my had been at hand; and the Guns went off apace I manifested some great trouble, and they asked me what was the matter? I told them, I thought they had killed the English-man (for they had in the mean time informed me that an English-man was come) they said, No; They shot over his Horse and under, and before his Horse; and they pusht him this way and that way, at their pleasure: shewing what they conld do: Then they let them come to their Wigwams. I begged of them to let me see the English man, but they would not. But there was I fain to sit their pleasure. When they had talked their fill with him, they suffered me to go to him. We asked each other of our welfare, and how my Husband did, and all my Friends? He told me they were all well, and would be glad to see me. Amongst other things which my Husband sent me, there came a pound of Tobacco: which I sold for nine shillings in

Money: for many of the Indians for want of To∣bacco, smoaked Hemlock, and Ground-Ivy. it was a great mistake in any, who thought I sent for Tobacco: for through the savour of God, that de∣sire was overcome. I now asked them, whither I should go home with Mr. Hoar? They answered No, one and another of them: and it being night, we lay down with that answer; in the morning, Mr Hoar invited the Saggamores to Dinner; but when we went to get it ready, we fond that they had stollen the greatest part of the Provision Mr. Hoar had brought, our of his Bags, in the night: And we may see the wonderfull power of God, in that one passage, in that when there was such a great number of the Indians together, and so greedy of a little good food; and no English there, but Mr. Hoar and my self: that there they did not knock us in the bead, and take what we had: there being not only some Provision, but also Trading-cloth, a part of the twenty pounds agreed upon: But instead of doing us any mischief, they seemed to be ashamed of the fact, and said, it were some Matchit Indian that did it. Oh, that we could believe that there is no thing too hard for God! God shewed his Power over the Heathen in this, as he did ever the hungry Lyons when Daniel was cast into the Den. Mr. Hoar called them betime to Dinner, but they are very little, they being so busie in dressing them∣selves, and getting ready for their Dance: which was carried one by eight of them; four Men and

four Squaws: My master and mistriss being two. He was dressed in his Holland shirt, with great Laces sewed at the cail of it, he had his silver But∣tons, his white Stockins, his Garters were hung round with Shillings, and he had Girdles of Wam∣pom upon his head and shoulders. She had a Kersey Coat, and covered with Girdles of Wampom from the Loins upward: her armes from her elbows to her hands were covered with Bracelets; there were handfulls of Neck-laces about her neck, and seve∣rall sorts of Jewels in her ears. She had fine red Stokins, and white Shoos, her hair powdered and face painted Red, that was alwayes before Black. And all the Dancers were after the same manner. There were two other singing and knocking on a Kettle for their musick. They keept hopping up and down one after another, with a Kettle of wa∣ter in the midst, standing warm upon some Em∣bers, to drink of when they were dry. They held on till it was almost night, throwing out Wampom to the standers by. At night I asked them again, if I should go home? They all as one said No, ex∣cept my Husband would come for me. When we were lain down, my Master went out of the Wig∣wam, and by and by sent in an Indian called James the Printer, who told Mr. Hoar, that my Master would let me go home to morrow, if he would let him have one pint of Liquors. Then Mr. Hoar called his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid the & go and see whither he would promise it be∣fore

them three: and if he would, he should have it; which he did, and he had it. Then Philip smel∣ing the business cal'd me to him, and asked me what I would give him, to tell me some good news, and speak a good word for me, J told him, I could not tell what to give him, I would anothing I had, and asked him what he would have? He said, two Coats and twenty shillings in Mony, and half a bushel of seed Corn, and some Tobacco. I thanked him for his love: but I knew the good news as well as the crafty Fox. My Master after he had had his drink, quickly came ranting into the Wigwam again, and called for Mr. Hoar, drinking to him, and saying, He was a good man: and then again he would say, Hang him Rogue: Being almost drunk, he would drink to him, and yet presently say he should be hanged. Then he called for me, I trembled to hear him, yet I was sain to go to him, and he drank to me, shewing no incivility. He was the first Indian I saw drunk all the while that I was amongst them. At last his Squaw ran out, and he after her, round the Wigwam, with his mony jingling at his knees: But she escaped him: But having an old Squaw he ran to her: and so throngh the Lords mercy, we were no more troubled that night. Yet I had not a comfortable nights rest: for I think J can say, j did not sleep for three nights together. The night before the Letter came from the Council, J could not rest. J was so full of feares and troubles, God many times leaving us most in the dark, when delive∣rance

is nearest: yea, at this time I could not rest, night nor day. The next night I was overjoyed, Mr. Hoar being come, and that with such good ti∣dings. The third night I was even swallowed up with the thoughts of things, viz. that ever I should go home again; and that I must go, leaving my Children behind me in the Wilderness; so that ••eep was now almost departed from mine eyes.

On Tuesday morning they called their General Court (as they call it) to consult and determine, whether I should go home or no: And they all as one man did seemingly consent to it, that I should go home; except Philip, ••••ho would not come among them.

But before I go any further, I would take leave to mention a few remarkable passages of provi∣dence, which I took special notice of in my affli∣cted time.

1. Of the fair opportunity lost in the long March, a little after the Fort-fight, when our English Army was so numerous, and in pursuit of the Enemy, and so near as to take several and destroy them: and the Enemy in such distriss for food, that our men might track them by their rooting in the earth for Ground∣nuts, whilest they were ••••ying for their lives. I say, that then our Army should want Provision, and be forced to leave their pursuit and return homeward: and the very next week the Enemy came upon our Town, like Bears bereft of their whelps, or so ma∣ny ravenous Wolves, rending us and our Lambs to

death. But what shall I say? God seemed to leave his People to themselves, and order all things for his own holy ends. Shal there be evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it? They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, therefore shal they go Cap∣tive, with the first that go Captive. It is the Lords doing, and it should be marvelous in our eyes.

2. I cannot but remember how the Indians de∣rided the slowness, and dulness of the English Ar∣my, in its setting out. For after the desolations at Lancaster and Medfield, as I went along with them, they asked me when I thought the English Army would come after them? I told them I could not tell: It may be they will come in May, said they. Thus did they scoffe at us, as if the English would be a quatter of a year getting ready

3. Which also I have hinted before, when the Eng∣lish Army with new supplies were sent forth to pursue after the enemy, & they understanding it: fled before them till they came to Baquaug River, where they forthwith went over safely: that that River should be impassable to the English. I can but admire to see the wonderfull providence of God in preserving the heathen for farther affliction to our poor Coun∣trey. They could go in great numbers over, but the English must stop: God had an over-ruling hand in all those things.

4. It was thought, if their Corn were cut down, they would starve and dy with hunger: and all their Corn that could be found, was destroyed, and

they driven from that little they had in store, into the Woods in the midst of Winter; and yet how to ad∣miration did the Lord preserve them for his ho∣ly ends, and the destruction of many still amongst the English! strangely did the Lord provide for them; that I did not see (all the time I was a∣mong them) one Man, Woman, or Child, die with hunger.

Though many times they would eat that, that a Hog or a Dog would hardly touch; yet by that God strengthned them to be a securge to his People.

The chief and commonest food was Ground-nuts: They eat also Nuts and Acorns, Harty choaks, Lilly roots, Ground beans, and several other weeds and roots, that I know nor.

They would pick up old bones, and cut them to piec∣es at the joynts, and if they were full of wormes and magots, they would scald them over the fire to make the vermine come out, and then boile them, and drink up the Liquor, and then beat the great end, of them in a Morter, and so eat them. They would eat Horses guts, and ears, and all sorts of wild Birds which they could catch: also Bear, Venmson, Bea∣ver, Tortois, Frogs, Squirrels, Dogs, Skunks, Rattle-snakes; yea, the very Bark of Trecs; be∣sides all sorts of creatures, and provision which they plundered from the English. I can but stand in admiration to see the wonderful power of God, in providing for such a vast number of our Enemies

in the Wilderness, where there was nothing to be seen, but from hand to mouth. Many times in a morning, the generality of them, would eat up all they had, and yet have some further supply a∣gainst they wanted. It is said, Psal. 81.13, 14. Oh, that my People bad hearkned to me, and Israel had walked in my wayes, I should soon have subdued their Enemies, and turned my hand against their Adversaries. But now our perverse and evil car∣riages in the sight of the Lord, have so offended him, that instead of turning his hand against them, the Lord feeds & nourishes them up to be a scourge to the whole Land.

5. Another thing that I would observe is, the strange providence of God in turning things about when the Indians was at the highest, and the English at the lowest. I was with the Enemy eleven weeks and five dayes, and not one Week passed without the fury of the Enemy, and some desolation by fire and sword upon one place or other. They mour∣ned (with their black faces) for their own losses: yet triumphed and rejoyced in their inhumane, and many times devilish eruelty to the English. They would boast much of their Victories; saying, that in two hours time they had destroyed such a Captain, and his Company at such a place; and such a Captain and his Company in such a place; and such a Captain and his Company in such a place: and boast how many Towns they had destroyed, and then scoffe, and say, They had done them a

good turn, to send them to Heaven so soon. Again, they would say, This Summer that they would knock all the Rogues in the head, or drive them in∣to the Sea, or make them flie the Countrey: think∣ing surely, Agag-like, The bitterness of Death is past. Now the Heathen begins to think all is their own, & the poor Christians hopes to fail (as to man) and now their eyes are more to God, and their hearts sigh heaven-ward: and to say in good ear∣nest, Help Lord, or we perish: When the Lord had brought his people to this, that they saw no help in any thing but himself; then be takes the quarrel into his own hand: and though they had made a pit, in their own imaginations, as deep as hell for the Christians that Summer, yet the Lord hurll'd them selves into it. And the Lord had not so many wayes before to preserve them, but now he hath as many to destroy them.

But to return again to my going home, where we may see a remarkable change of Providence: At first they were all against it, except my Hu band would come for me; but afterwards they assented to it, and seemed much to rejoyce in it; some askt me to send them some Bread, others some Tobac∣co, others shaking me by the hand, offering me a Hood and Scarfe to ride in; not one moving hand or tongue against it. Thus hath the Lord answer∣ed my poor desire, and the many earnest requests of others put up unto God for me. In my travels an Indian came to me, and told me, if I were wil∣ling,

he and his Squaw would run away, and go home along with me: I told him No: I was not willing to run away, but desired to wait Gods time, that I might go home quietly, and without fear. And now God hath granted me my desire. O the wonderfull power of God that I have seen, and the experience that I have had: I have been in the midst of those roaring Lyons, and Salvage Bears, that feared neither God, nor Man, nor the Devil, by night and day, alone and in company: sleeping all sorts together, and yet not one of them ever offered me the least abuse of unchastity to me, in word or action. Though some are ready to say, J speak it for my own credit; But I speak it in the presence of God, and to his Glory. Gods Power is as great now, and as sufficient to save, as when he preserved Daniel in the Lions Den; or the three Children ••u the fiery Furnace. I may well say as his Psal. 107.12 Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath re∣deemed from the hand of the Enemy, especially that I should come away in the midst of so many hundreds of Enemies quietly and peacably, and not a Dog moving hi: tougue. So I took my leave of them, and in coming along my heart melted in∣to tears, more then all the while I was with them, and I was almost swallowed up with the thoughts that ever I should go home again. About the Sun going down, Mr. Hoar, and my self, and the two

Indians came to Lancaster, and a solemn sight it was to me. There had I lived many comfortable years amongst my Relations and Neighbours, and now not one Christian to be seen, nor one house lest standing. We went on to a Farm house that was yet standing, where we lay all night: and a comfortable lodging we had, though nothing but straw to ly on The Lord preserved us in safety that night, and raised us up again in the morning, and carried us along, that before noon, we came to Concord. Now was I full of joy, and yet not without sorrow: joy to see such a lovely sight, so many Christians together, and some of them my Neighbours: There I met with my Brother, and my Brother in Law, who asked me, if I knew where his Wife was? Poor heart! he had helped to bury her, and knew it not; she being shot down by the house was partly burnt: so that those who were at Boston at the desolation of the Town, and came back afterward, and buried the dead, did not know her. Yet I ws not without sorrow, to think how many were looking and long∣ing, and my own Chilren amongst the rest, to enioy that deliverance that I had now received: and I did not know whither ever I should see them again. Being recruited with food and raiment, we went to Boston that day, where I met with my dear Husband, but the thoughts of our dear Chil∣dren, one being dead, and the other we could not ••••ll where, abated our comfort each to other. I

was not before so much hem'd in with the merciless and cruel Heathen, but now as much with pittiful, sender-hearted, and compssionate Christians. In that poor, and destressed, and beggerly condi∣tion I was received in, I was kindly entertained in severall Houses: so much love I received from se∣veral (some of whom I knew, and others I knew not] that I am not capable to declare it. But the Lord knows them all by name: The Lord reward them seven fold into their bosoms of his spirituals, for their temporals. The twenty pounds the price of my redemption was raised by some Boston Gen∣tlemen, and Ms. Ʋsher, whose bounty and religi∣ous charity, I would not forget to make mention of. Then Mr. Thomas Shepard of Charlstown re∣ceived us into his House, where we continued ele∣ven weeks; and a Father and Mother they were to us. And many more tender-hearted Friends we met with in that place. We were now in the midst of love, yet not without much and frequent heaviness of heart for our poor Children, and other Relations, who were still in affliction. The week following, after my coming in, the Governour and Gouncil sent forth to the Indians again; and that not without saccess; for they brought in my Sister, and Good-wife Kectle: Their not knowing where our Children were, was a sore tryal to us still, and yet we were not without secret hopes that we should see them again. That which was dead lay heavier upon my spirit, than those which were a∣live

and amongst the Heathen; thinking how it suf∣fered with its wounds, and I was no way able to relieve it; and how it was buried by the Heathen in the Wilderness from among all Christians. We were hurried up and down in our thoughts, some∣time we should hear a report that they were gone this way, and sometimes that; and that they were come in, in this place or that: We kept enquir∣ing and listning to hear concerning them, but no certain news as yet. About this time the Coun∣cil had ordered a day of publick Thanks-giving: though I thought I had still cause of mourning, and being unsettled in our minds, we thought we would ride toward the Eastward, to see if we could hear any thing concerning our Children. And as we were riding along [God is the wise disposer of all things] between Ipswich and Rowly we met with Mr. William Hubbard, who told us that our Son Joseph was come in to Major Waldrens, and ano∣ther with him, which was my Sisters Son. I asked him how he knew it? He said, the Major himself told him so. So along we went till we came to Newbury; and their Minister being absent, they desired my Husband to Preach the Thanks giving for them; but he was not willing to stay there that night, but would go over to Salisbury, to hear fur∣ther, and come again in the morning; which he did, and Preached there that day. At night, when he had done, one came and told him that his Daughter was come in at Providence: Here was

mercy on both hands. Now hath God fulsiled that precious Scripture which was such a comfort to me in my distressed condition, When my heart was ready to sink into the Earth [my Children being gone I could not tell whither] and my knees trem∣bled under me, And I was walking thorough the valley of the shadow of Death: Then the Lord brought, and now has fulsilled that reviving word unto me: Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears. for thy Work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy. Now we were between them, the one on the East, and the other on the West: Our Son being nearest, we went to him first, to Portsmouth, where we met with him, and with the Major also: who told us he had done what he could, but could not redeem him under siven ponnds; which the good People thereabouts were pleased to pay. The Lord re∣ward the Major, and all the rest, though unknown so me, for their labour of Love. My Sitters Son was redeemed for four pounds, which the Council gave order for the payment of Having now re∣ceived one of our Children, we hastened toward the other: going back through Newbury, my Husband Preached there on the Sabbath-day: for which they rewarded him many fold.

On Mund ay we came to Charlstown, where we heard that the Governour of Road-Island had sent o∣ver for our Daughter, to take care of her, being now

within his Jurisdiction: which should not pass with∣out our acknowledgments. But she being nearer Rehoboth than Road-Island, Mr. Newman went over, and took care of her, and brought her to his own House. And the goodness of God was admi∣rable to us in our low estate, in that he raised up passionate Friends on every side to us, when we had nothing to recompance any for their love. The Indians were now gone that way, that it was ap∣prehended dangerous to go to her: But the Carts which carried Provision to the English Army, be∣ing guarded, brought her with them to Dorchester, where we received her safe: blessed be the Lord sor it, For great is his Power, and he can do whatso∣ever seemeth him good. Her coming in was aster this manner: She was travelling one day with the Indians, with her basket at her back; the compa∣ny of Indians were got before her, and gone out of sight, all except one Squaw; she followed the Squaw till night, and then both of them lay down, having nothing over them but the heavens, and under them but the earth. Thus she travelled three dayes together, not knowing whither she was going: having nothing to eat or drink but water, and green Hirtle-berries. At last they came into Providence, where she was kindly entertain∣ed by several of that Town. The Indians often said, that I should never have her under twenty pounds: But now the Lord hath brought her in u∣pon free-cost, and given her to me the second

time. The Lord make us a blessing indeed, each to others. Now have I seen that Scripture also fulfilled, Deut. 30: 4, 7. If any of thine be driven out to the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee. And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them which hate thee, which persecuted thee. Thus hath the Lord brought me and mine out of that horrible pit, and hath set us in the midst of tender-hearted and compassionate Christians. It is the desire of my soul, that we may walk worthy of the mercies recei∣ved, and which we are receiving.

Our Family being now gathered together (those of us that were living) the South Church in Boston hired an House for us: Then were moved from Mr. Shepards, those cordial Friends, and went to Boston, where we continued about three quarters of a year: Still the Lord went along with us, and provided gra∣ciously for us. I thought it somewhat strange to fet up House keeping with bare walls; but as So∣lomon sayes, Mony answers all things; and that we had through the benevolence of Christian∣friends, some in this Town, and some in that, and others: And some from England, that in a little time we might look, and see the House furnished with love. The Lord hath been exceeding good ••o us in our low estate, in that when we had neither house nor home, nor other necessaries; the Lord so moved the hearts of these and those to wards us,

that we wanted neither food, nor raiment for our selves or ours, Prov. 18.24. There is a Friend which sticketh closer than a Brother. And how many such Friends have we found, and now living a∣mongst? And truly such a Friend have we found him to be unto us, in whose house we lived, viz. Mr. James Whitcomb, a Friend unto us near hand, and afar off.

I can remember the time, when I used to sleep qui∣etly without workings in my thoughts, whole nights together, but now it is other wayes with me. When all are fast about me, and no eye open, but his who ever waketh, my thoughts are upon things past, upon the awfull dispensation of the Lord to∣wards us; upon his wonderfull power and might, in carrying of us through so many difficulties, in returning us in safety, and suffering none to hurt us. I remember in the night season, how the o∣ther day I was in the midst of thousands of ene∣mies, & nothing but death before me: It 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then hard work to perswade my self, that ever I should be satisfied with bread again. But now we are fed with the finest of the Wheat, and, as I may say, With honey out of the rcok: In stead of the Husk, we have the fatted Calf: The thoughts of these things in the particulars of them, and of the love and goodness of God towards us, make it true of me, what David said of himself, Psal. 6.6. I wa∣tered my Couch with my tears. Oh! the won∣derfull power of God that mine eyes have seen, af∣fording

matter enough for my thoughts to run in, that when others are sleeping mine eyes are weeping.

I have seen the extrem vanity of this World: One hour I have been in health, and wealth, wanting nothing: But the next hour in sickness and wounds, and death, having nothing but sorrow and affliction.

Before I knew what affliction meant, I was rea∣dy sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in pros∣perity; having the comforts of the World about me, my relations by me, my Heart chearfull: and taking little care for any thing; and yet seeing many, whom I preferred before my self, under ma∣ny tryals and afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses, crosses, and cares of the World, I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my mind, Heb. 12.6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth. But now I see the Lord had his time to scourge and chasten me. The portion of some is to have their afflictions by drops, now one drop and then another; but the dregs of the Cup, the Wine of astonishment: like a sweeping rain that leaveth no food, did the Lord prepare to be my portion Affliction I wanted, and affliction I had, full measure (I thought) pressed down and running over: yet I see, when God calls a Per∣son to any thing, and through never so many dif∣ficulties

yet he is fully able to carry them through and make them see, and say they have been gainers thereby. And I hope I can say in some measure, As David did, It is good for me that I have been af∣flicted: The Lord hath shewed me the vanity of these outward things. That they are the Vanity of vanities, and vexation of spirit; that they are but a shadow, a blast, a bubble, and things of no continuance. That we must rely on God himself, and our whole dependance must be upon him. If trouble from smallar matters begin to arise in me, I have something at hand to check my self with, and say, why am I troubled? It was but the other day that if I had had the world, I would have given it for my freedom, or to have been a Servant to a Christian. I have learned to look beyond present and smaller troubles, and to be quieted under them, as Mosis said, Exod. 14.13. Stand still and ses the salvation of the Lord.

FINIS.