The First Remove.

Now away we must go with those Barbarous Creatures, with our Bodies wounded and bleed­ing, 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 English before, for fear of the In­dians) I ask [...]d them whether I might not lodge in the House that night? to which they answered, What will you love English-men still? This was the dolefullest night that ever my eyes saw. Oh the roaring, and singing, and dancing, & yelling of those black creatures in the night, which made [...] place a lively resemblance of Hell: And as [...] was the waste that was there made, of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Calves, Lambs, Roasting-Pigs, and Fowls, (which they had plun­dered in the Town) some Roasting, some lying & [...]rning, and some Boyling, to feed [...] Enemies; who were joyful enough though [...] were Disconsolate. To add to the [...]leful­ness [Page 9] of the former Day, and the dismalness of the present Night, my thoughts ran upon 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 & 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 wounded Babe, and it seemed at present worse than Death, that it was in such a pitiful Condition, bespeaking Compassion, and I had no Refreshing for it, nor suitable things to Re­vive it. Little do many think, what is the S [...] ­vageness and Bruitishness of this barbarou [...] E [...] ­my, even those that seem to profess more th [...] others among them, when the English h [...]ve fallen into their Hands.

Those seven that were killed at Lancast [...]r [...] Summer before upon a Sabbath Day, and the [...] that was afterward killed upon a week Day [...] were slain and mangled in a barbarous ma [...]er, by one-ey'd Iohn, and [...], which Capt. Mosely bro [...]t to [...], as the Indians 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 desolate Wilderness, I know not whither. It is not my 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 wonderful manner, carrying me along, and bearing up my Spirit, that it did not quite fail. One of the Indians carried my poor wounded Babe upon a Horse; it went moan­ing all along, I shall die, I shall die. I went on foot after it, with Sorrow that cannot be exprest. At length I took it off the Horse, and carried it in my arms, till my strength failed, & I fell down with it. Then they set me upon a Horse, with [...]y wounded Child in my Lap, and there being no Furniture upon the Horse back, as we were going down a steep Hill, we both fell over the Horses head, at which they like inhumane Crea­ [...]ures laught, and rejoyced to see it, though I thought we should there have ended our Days, 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 [...]hey stopt: and now down I must [Page 11] 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 (thorough the Wound) fallen into a violent Fever. My own Wound also growing 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 arms, 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 wonderful Power of God, that my Spirit did not utterly sink under my Affliction▪ still the Lord upheld me with his gracious and merciful Spirit, and we were both alive to see the Light of the next Morning.

The Third Remove.

The Morning being [...]ome, they prepared to go on 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 [...] and tedious day I had of it; what with [...] Wound, and my Child being so exceedin [...] [...], and in a lamentable condition with [...]e [...] [...], it may easily be judged what [...] [...]dition we were in, there being not the least [...] of Refreshing that came within either of ou [...] Mouths from Wednesday Night to Saturday Night, [Page 12] except only a little cold Water. This Day in the Afternoon, about an Hour by Sun, we came to the Place where they intended, viz. an In­dian Town called We [...]imesset, Northward 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 b [...]lieved, &c. The next Day was the Sabbath: I then remembred how careless I had been of God's holy Time: how many Sabbaths I had lost and mispent, & how evily I had walked in God's sight; which lay so c [...]ose upon my Spirit, that it was easie for me to see how Righteous it was with God to cut off the thread of my Life, and cast me out of his presence for ever. Yet the Lord still shewed Mercy to me, and helped me; and as he wounded me with one Hand, so he healed me with the other. This Day there came to me one Robert Pepper, (a Man belonging to Rox­bury,) who was taken at Capt. Beers his Fight; and had been now a considerable time with the Indians, and up with them almost as far as Albany [...] [...]ee King Philip, as he told me, and was now very la [...]ely come with them into these parts. [...] I say, that I was in this Indian Town, he [...]ained leave to come and see me. He told me he himself was wounded in the Leg at Capt. Beers his Fight; and was not able sometime to go but as they carried him, and that [...] took [Page 13] Oak Leaves and laid to his Wound, and by the Blessing of God, he was able to Travel again. Then I took Oak 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 sate much alone with my poor wounded Child in my Lap, which moaned Night and Day, having nothing to re­vive the Body, or chear the Spirits of her; but instead of that, one Indian would come and tell me one hour, your Master will knock your Child on the head, and then a second, and then a third, your Master will quickly knock your Child on the head.

This was the Comfort I had from them; Miserable Comforters were they all. Thus nine Days I sate upon my Knees, with my Babe in my Lap, till my Flesh was raw again. My Child being even ready to depart this sorrowful World, they bid me carry it out to another Wigwam; (I suppose because they would not be troubled with such Spectacles) Whither I wen [...] with a very heavy Heart, and down I sate with [...] pi­cture of Death in my Lap. About two [...] in the Night, my sweet Babe like a Lamb departed this Life, on Feb. 18. 1675. it being about six Year [...] and five Months old. It was nine Days from the first wounding▪ in this miserable Con­dition, [Page 14] 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 could lie down by my dead Babe all the Night after. I have thought since of the wonderful Good­ness of God to me, in preserving me so in the use of my Reason and Senses, in that distressed time, that I did not use wicked and violent Means to end my own miserable Life. In the Morning, 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 understood Quannopin, who was a Saggamore, and married K. Philip's Wives Sister; not that he first took me, but I was sold to him by a Nar­raganset Indian, who took me when I first came out of the Garrison) 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 go I must and leave it. When I had been a while at [...]y Masters Wigwam, I took the first oppor­tunity [...] could get, to go look after my dead Childe When I came, I asked them what they had [...]ne with it? they told me it was upon the Hill; then they went and shewed me where it was, where I saw the Ground was newly [...]igged, and where they told me they had buried it; there I left that Child in the Wilderness, and [...] [Page 15] [...]it 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, and taken from the Door at first by a Praying Indian, and after­ward sold for a Gun. When I came in [...]ight, she would fall a Weeping, at which they were pro­voked, and would not let me come near her, but bid 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, Ios [...]ph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin also, [...] these things are against me. I could not sit still in this Condition, but kept walking from one place to another. And as I was going along, my [...]eart was even overwhelmed with the though [...] of my Condition, and that I should have Chil­dren, and a Nation that I knew not ruled ove [...] them. Whereupon I earnestly intreated the Lord [...]hat he would consider my low Estate, & show [...]e a Token for Good, and if it were his blessed Will, some sign and hope of some Relief. And [...]ndeed quickly the Lord answered, in some [...]easure, my poor Prayer: For as I was going up and down mourning and lamenting my Con­dition, [Page 16] 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 parcel 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 reference 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 small Plan­tation of Indians, where it seems he had been du­ring his Captivity; and at this time, there were some Forces of the Indians gathered out of our Company, and some also from them, (amongst whom was my Sons Master) to go to assault and burn Medfield: In this time of his Masters Ab­sence, his Dame brought him to see me. I took this to be some gracious Answer to my earnest and unfeigned Desire. The next Day the India [...] returned from Medfield: (all the Company, for those that belonged to the other smaller Com­pany, came through the Town that now we were at) But before they came to us, Oh the outrageous Roaring and Hooping that there was! They began their din about a Mile before they came to us. By their Noise and H [...]ping they signified how many they had destroyed: (which was at that time twenty three) Thos [...] [Page 17] that were with us at home, were gathered toge­ther as soon as they heard the Hooping, and every time that the other went over their num­ber, these at home gave a shout, that the very Earth rang again. And thus they continued till those that had been upon the Expedition w [...]r [...] come up to the Saggamor's Wigwam; and then Oh the hideous Insulting and Triumphing that there was over some English Mens Scalps, that they had taken (as their manner is) and brought with them. I cannot but take notice of the wonderful Mercy of God to me in those Afflicti­ons, in sending me a Bible: One of the Indians that came from Medfield Fight, and 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 if he thou [...] the Indians would let me Read? he answered yes; so I took the Bible, and in that melancholy Time, it came into my Mind to Read first the 28th Chap. of Deuteronomy, which I did▪ and when I had read it, my dark Heart wrought on this manner, That there was no Mercy for [...] that the Blessings were gone, and the [...] came in their room, and that I had lost my op­portunity. But the Lord helped me still to go o [...] reading, till I came to Chap. 30. the Seven [...]; where I found there was Mercy [...] again, if we would r [...]rn to him, by [...]; and though we were sca [...]tered [Page 18] [...]rom one end of the Earth to the other, yet the Lord would gather us together, and turn all those Curses upon our Enemies. I do not desire to live to forget this Scripture, & what comfort it was to me.

Now the Indians began to talk of Removing [...]rom 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 go [...] 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 Deliverence, they all told me they did as they were able, and it was some Comfort to me, that the Lord stir­ [...]ed up Children to look to him. The Woman, [...]. Good-wife Ios [...]in told me, she should never see me again, and that she could find in her heart to run away: I desired her not to run away by any means, for we were near thirty [...] from any English Town, and she very big [...] Child, having but one Week to reckon; and another Child in her Arms two Years old, and bad Rivers there were to go over, and we were feeble with our poor and 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 [...]sal. [...] in which Psalm we especially took [...] of [...]hat verse, Wait on the Lord, [...] of go [...] [...] [Page 19] and he shall strengthen thine Heart, wait I say on the Lord.

The Fourth Remove.

And now must I part with that little Compa­ny that I had. Here [...] parted from my Daughter Mary, (whom I never saw again till I saw her in Dorchester, returned from Captivity) & from four little Cou [...]ns & Neighbours, some of which I never saw afterward, the Lord only knows the end of them. Among 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 Spirits, about her miserable Condition, being so near her Time, she would be often asking the Indians to let her go home; they not being willing to that, and yet vexed with her Impor­tunity, 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 pleased, they knockt her on the head, and the Child in her Arms with her: W [...]en they had done that, they made a Fire & [...] them both into it, and told the other Chil­d [...]n that were with them, that if they attemp­ted to go home, they would serve th [...]m in like [...]nner. The Children said she did not shed [Page 20] one Tear, but prayed all the while. But to re­turn to my own Journey: We travelled about half a Day or a little more, and came to a de­solate Place in the Wilderness, where there were no Wigwams or Inhabitants 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 Forest: My Head was Light and Dissy, (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, Ier. 31. 16. Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy Voice from Weeping, and thine Eyes from Tears, for they Work shall be Rewar­ed, and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy. This was a sweet Cordial to me, when I was ready to Faint, many and many a time, have I sat down, and wept sweetly over this Scripture. At▪ this place we continued about four Days.

The Fifth Remove.

The occasion (as I thought) of their moving at this time, was the English Army's being near and following them: For they went as if they had gone for their Lives, for some considerable way; and then they made a stop, and chose out some of their stoutest Men, and sent them back to hold the English Army in play whilst the rest escaped; and then like Iehu they marched on furiously, with their old and young: Some car­ried their old decriped 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 hindred, and could make no haste; whereupon they took him upon their backs, and carried him one at a time, till we came to Bacquag River. Upon a Friday a little Afternoon we came to this River: When all the Company was come up, and were gathered together, I thought to count the num­ber of them, but they were so ma [...]y, and being somewhat [...]n Motion, it was beyond my skill. 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 Mistress to give me one Spoonful of the Meal, but she would not give me a taste. They quickly fell to cutting dry Tre [...]s, to make Rafts to carry them over the [Page 22] River, and soon my turn came to go over. By the advantage of some Brush which they had laid upon the Raft to sit on, 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 wea­kened Body, it being a very cold time. I was not before acquainted with such kind of doings, or dangers. When thou passest thorough the Waters I will be with thee, and thorough the Rivers they shall not overflow thee. Isai. 43. 2. A certain Number of us got over 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 Horse's Leg (which they had got) and so we drank of the Broth, as soon as they thought it was ready, and when it was 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 'twas 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 die before I could eat such things, yet) they were pleasant and savoury to my taste. I was at this time Knitting a pair of white Cotten Stock­ings for my Mistress, and I had not yet wrought upon the Sabbath Day: When the Sabbath came, [Page 23] they bid me go to work; I told them it was Sabbath-day, and desired them to let me rest, & told them I would do as much more to morro [...]; to which th [...]y answered me, they would break my Face. And here I cannot 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 P [...] ­pooses at their Backs, the greatest number (at this time with us) were Squ [...]s, and they tra­velled with all they had, Bag and Baggage, and yet they got over this River aforesaid; and on Monday they set their Wig [...]ams on Fire, and away they went; On that very Day came th [...] English Army after them to this Rive [...], 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 found 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 Luggage. Oh that my People had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways, I should soon have subdued their Enemies, and turned my [...] against their Adversaries. Psal. 81. 13, 14. [...]

The Sixth Remove.

On Monday (as I said) they set their Wig­wams on Fire, and went away. It was a Cold Morning, & before us there was a great Brook with Ice on it: Some waded through it, up to the Knees and higher, but others went till they came to a Beaver-Dam, and I amongst them, where thorough 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 farther into the vast and howling Wilderness) and I understood something of L [...]t'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 we came to the brow of the Hill that looked toward the Swamp, I thought we had been come to a great Indian Town. (Though there were none but our own Company) The Indians were as thick as the Trees; it seemed as if there had been a thou­sand Hatchets going at once▪ If one looked before one, there was nothing [...]ut Indians, and behind one, nothing but Indians; and so on ei­ther hand: And I my self in the midst, and [...] Christian Soul near me, and yet how [...] Lord preserved me in Safety! Oh the [...] ̄ that I have had of the goodness of [...] 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 foreness 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 after that we came to an English Path, which so took with me, that I thought I could there have freely lien down and died. That Day, a little after Noon, we came to Squ [...]n [...]eag, where the Indians quickly spread themselves o­ver the deserted English Fields, gleaning 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 o­thers Sheaves of Wheat that were Frozen toge­ther in the Shock, and 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 [...] stolen from me, which much troubled [...] came an Indian to them at that time, with a Basket of Horse-Liver; I asked him to give me a pi [...]ce: What (says he) can you eat [Page 26] Horse-Liver? I told him I would try, if he would give me a piece, which he did; and I laid it on the Coals to Roast, but before it was half ready, they got half of it away from me; so that I was forced to take the rest and eat it as it was, with the Blood about my Mouth, and yet a savoury bit it was to m [...]; for to the hungry Soul every bitter thing is sweet. A so­lemn Sight me-thought it was, to see whole Fields of Wheat and Indian Corn forsaken and spoiled, and the remainders of them to be Food for our merciless Enemies. That Night we had a mess of Wheat for our Supper.

The Eighth Remove.

On the morrow Morning we must go over Connecticut River to meet with King Philip: Two Canoes full they had carried over, the next turn my self was to go; but as my Foot was upon the Canoo to step in, there was a sudden out-cry among them, and I must step back; and instead of going up the River, I must go four or five Miles up the River farther North­ward. Some of the Indians ran one way, and some another. The cause of this Rout was, as I thought, their espying some English [...] ▪ who were thereabouts. In this Travel up [...] River, about Noon the Company made a [...] and sat down, some to eat, and others to rest [Page 27] them. As I fat amongst them, musing on things past, my Son Ioseph unexpectedly came to me: We asked of each others Welfare, bemoaning our doleful Condition, and the Change that had come upon us: We had Husband, and Father, and Children, and Sisters, and Friends, and Relations, and House, and Home, and many Comforts of this Life; but now we might say as Iob, Naked came I out of my Mothers Wo [...], and naked 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. I gave him my Bible, and he lighted upon that comfortable Scriprure, Psal. 118. 17, 18. I shall not die, but live, and declare the Works of the Lord: The Lord hath chastened me sore, yet [...]e hath not given me [...]ver to Death. Look here Mother, (says he) did you Read this? And here I may take occasion to mention one principal Ground of my setting forth these few Lines, o [...]en as the Psalmist says, To declare the Works of the Lord, and his wonderful Power in carrying us along, preserv­ing us in the Wilderness, while under the Ene­my's Hand, and Returning of us in Safety 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 [Page 28] to Philip's Crew. When I was in the Canoo, I could not but be amazed at the numerous crew of Pagans that were on the Bank on the other side. When I came ashore, they gathered all about me, I sitting alone in the midst: I observ­ed they asked one another Questions, & laugh­ed, and rejoyced over their Gains and Victories. Then my Heart began to fail, & I fell a weep­ing; which was the first time, to my Remem­brance, that I wept before them; although I had met with so much Affliction, & my Heart was many times ready to break, yet could I not sh [...]d one Tear in their [...]ight, but rather had been all this while in a maze, and like one asto­nished; but now I may say as Psal. 137. 1. By the Rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembred Zion. There one of them asked me, why I wept? I could hardly tell what to say; yet I answered, they would kill me: No, said he, none will hurt you. Then came one of them, and gave me two Spoon­fulls of Meal, (to comfort me) & another gave me half a Pint of Pease, which was more worth than many Bushels at another time. Then I went to see King Philip; he bid me come in, and sit down; and asked me whither I would smoke it? (a usual Complement now-a-days, among Saints and Sinners) But this no way suit [...] m [...] ▪ For though I had formerly used Tobaco [...], yet I had left it ever since I was first taken. It seems [Page 29] to be a Bait, the Devil lays to make Men lose their precious Time. I remember with Shame, how formerly, when I had taken two or three Pipes, I was presently ready for another; such a bewitching thing it is: But I thank God, he has now given me power over it; surely there are many who may be better employed, than to sit sucking a stinking Tobacco-pipe.

Now the Indians gather their Forces to go against North-Hampton: Over Night one went about yelling and hooting to give Notice of the Design. Whereupon they went 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 Money to my Master, but he bi [...] me keep it, and with it I bought a piece of Horse-flesh. Afterward he asked me to make a Cap for his Boy, for which he invited me to Dinner: I went, and he gave me a Pan-cake, a­bout as big as two Fingers; it was made of par­ched Wheat, beaten, and fryed in Bears-grease, but I thought 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 Stockings, for which she gave me a quart of Pease. I boyled my Pease and Bear [Page 30] together, and invited my Master and Mistress to Dinner; but the proud Gossip, because I served them both in one Dish, would eat nothing, except one bit that he gave her upon the point of his Knife. Hearing that my Son was come to this place, I went to see him, and found him lying flat upon the Ground; I asked him how he could Sleep so? he answered me, that he was not asleep, but at Prayer; and that he lay so, that they might not observe what he was doing. I pray God he may remember 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 smoke of the Wig­wams, I 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 a Squaw who gave me a Spoon-full 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 Provision I had in my Travel for one Day.

The Indians returning from North-Hampton, brought with them some Horses, and Sheep, and other things which they had taken; I desired [Page 31] them that they would carry me to Albany upon one of those Horses, and sell me for Powder; for so they had some times discoursed. I was ut­terly hopeless of getting home on Foot, the way that I came. I could hardly bear to think of the many weary Steps I had taken, to come to this place.

The Ninth Remove.

But instead of going either to Albany or home­ward, we must go five Miles up the River, and then go over it. Here we abode a while. Her [...] lived a sorry Indian, who spake to me to make him a Shirt, when I had done it, he would pay me nothing for it. But he living by the River side, where I often went to fetch 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 Master asked me to give it him, and I wa [...] 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 Narraganset Country to fetch Corn, where they had stored up some in the Ground: She brought home about a peck and half of Corn. [Page 32] This was about the time that their great Cap­tain ( Naananto) was killed in the Narraganset Country.

My Son being now about a Mile from me, I asked liberty to go and see him, they bid 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 admire at the wonderful Power and Good­ness of God to me, in that though I was gone from home, and met with all sorts of Indians, and those I had no knowledge of, and there be­ing no Christian Soul near me, yet not one of them offered the least imaginable Miscarriage to me. I turned homeward again, and met with my Master, and he shewed me the way to my Son. When I came to him, I found him not well; and withal he had a Boil on his Side, which much troubled him: We bemoaned one another a while, as the Lord helped us, and then I returned 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 Children: My Son was ill, and I could not but think of his mournful Looks, having no Christian Friend [...] 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 whether she was sick, or [Page 33] well, or alive, or dead. I repaired under these thoughts to my Bible, (my great Comforter in that time) and that Scripture came to my hand, Cast thy Burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee, Psal. 55. 22.

But I was fain to go look after something to satisfy my Hunger: And going among the Wigwams, I went into one, and there found a Squaw who shewed her self very kind to me, and gave me a piece of Bear. I put it into my Pocket, and came home; but could not find an opportunity to Broil it, for fear they should get it from me; and there it lay all that Day and Night in my stinking Pocket. In the Morning I went again to the same Squaw, who had a Kettle of Ground-Nuts Boyling: I asked her to let me boyl my piece of Bear in her Kettle, which she did, and gave me some Ground-Nuts to eat with it, and I cannot but think how pleasant it was to me. I have sometimes seen Bear baked handsomely amongst 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 Stomach of a Brute-Creature.

One bitter cold Day, I could find no room to sit dowr before the Fire: I went out, and could not tell what to do, but I went into ano­ther Wigwam, where they were also sitting round the Fire; but the Squaw laid a Skin for [Page 34] me, and bid me sit down, and gave me some Ground-Nuts, and bid me come again; and told me they would buy me, if they were able; and yet these were Strangers to me that I ne­ver knew before.

The Tenth Remove.

That Day a small part of the Company re­moved about three quarters of a Mile, intend­ing farther the next Day. When they came to the place where they intended to Lodge, and had pitched their Wigwams, being Hungry, I went again back to the place we were before [...]t, to get something to eat; being encouraged by the Squaw's kindness, who bid me come a­gain. When I was there, there came an Indian to look after me; who when he had found me, kickt me all along. I went home and found Ve­nison Roasting that Night, but they would not give me one bit of it. Sometimes I met with Favour, & sometimes with nothing but Frowns.

The Eleventh Remove.

The next Day in the Morning, they took their Travel, intending a days Journey up the River; I took my Load at my Back, and quick­ly we came to wade over a River, and p [...]ssed over tiresome and wearisome Hills. One Hill [Page 35] was so steep, that I was fain to creep up upon my Knees, and to hold by the Twigs & Bushes to keep my self from falling backward. My Head also was so Light, that I usually reeled as I went: But I hope all those wearisome steps that I have taken, are but a forwarding of me to the heavenly Rest. I know O Lord, that thy Iudgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me, Psal. 119. 75.

The Twelfth Remove.

It was upon a Sabbath-day Morning, that they prepared for their Travel. This Morning I asked my Master whether he would sell me to my Husband? he answered Nux; which did much rejoyce my Spirit. My Mistress, before we went, was gone to the Burial of a Papoos, and returning, she found me sitting, and Read­ing in my Bible: She snatcht 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 on the Face, and bid me be gone. I lifted up my H [...]rt to God, hoping that Redemption was not far off; and the rather because their Insolancy grew worse and worse.

[Page 36] But the thoughts of my going homeward, (for so we bent our course) much cheared my my Spirit, and made my Burden seem Light, and almost nothing at all. But (to my amaze­ment and great perplexity) the Scale was soon turned; for when we had gone a little way, on a sudden my Mistress gave 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 go back also, but he would not; but said, he would go on, and come to us again in three Days. My Spirit was upon this (I confess) very Impatient, and almost Outragious. I thought I could as well have died 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 Trial I concluded I had to go thorough. My Master being gone, who seemed to me the best Friend that I had of an Indian, both in Cold & Hunger, and quickly so it proved. Down I sat, with my Heart as full as it could hold, and y [...]t 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 Chesnuts, which were some Refreshment [Page 37] to me. Toward Night I gathered me some Sticks for my own Comfort, that I might not lye a Cold: But when we came to lye down, they bid me go out, and lye somewhere else, for they had Company (they said) come in more than their own: I told them I could not tell where to go, they bid me go look: I told them, if I went to another Wigwam they would be angry, and send me 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 rude Fellow, and to go out in the Night I knew not whither. Mine eyes have seen that Fellow after­wards walking up and down in Boston, under the appearance of a Friendly Indian, and seve­ral others of the like Cut. I went to one Wig­wam, and they told me they had no room. Then I went to another, and they said the same: At last an old Indian bid m [...] come to him, and his Squaw gave me some Grou [...]-Nuts; she gave me also something to [...]ay or [...] my Head, and a good Fire we had: And tho­rough the good Providence of God, I had a comfortable Lodging that Night. I [...] the [...]orn­ing another Indian bid me come at Night, and he would give me [...]ix Ground-Nuts, which I did. We were at this place and time about two Miles from Connecticut [...] ▪ We went in the Morning (to gather [...]) to the River, [Page 38] and went back again at Night. I went with a great 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 I had no other com­forting Answer from them than this, That it would be no matter if my Head 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 Thick­ [...]t 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 thickned with Meal made of the Bark of a Tree; and to make it the bet­ter, she had put into it about a handful of Pease, and [...] roasted Ground-Nuts. I had not seen my Son [...] pretty while, and here was an Indian of whom I made Enquiry after him, and asked him when he saw him? He answered me, that such a time his Master roasted him, and that hims [...]lf 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 [...] the least Conscience of speaking [...].

[Page 39] In this place, one cold Night as I lay by th [...] Fire, I removed a Stick which kept the Heat from me, a Squaw moved it down again, at which I looked up, and she threw an handful of Ashes in my Eyes; I thought I should have been quite blinded and never have seen more: But lying down, the Water ran 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 [...]uch to say with Iob, Have pity upon me, have pity 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 Wig­wams, and musing on things past, I should sud­denly 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 Barbarous Heathen, my Mind quickly returned to me, which made me think of that spoken concerning Sampson, who said, I will go out and shake my self as at other times, but he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

About this time, I began [...] think that all my hopes of Restoration would come to nothing. I thought of the English Army, and hoped for their coming, and being retaken by them, but [...]hat failed. I hoped to be carried to Albany, as the Indians had discoursed, but that failed also. [Page 40] I thought of being Sold to my Husband, as my Master spake; but instead of that, my Master himself was gone, and I left behind, so that my Spirit was now quite ready to sink. I asked them to let my go out and pick up some Sticks, that I might get alone, and pour out my Heart unto the Lord. Then also I took my Bible to Read, but I found no Comfort here neither; yet I can say, that in all my Sorrows and Affli­ctions, God did not leave me to have any Im­patience work towards himself, as if his ways were unrighteous; but I knew that he la [...]d upon me less than I deserved: Afterward, be­fore this doleful 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, Isa. 55. 8. For my thoughts are not your: boughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. And also that, Psal. 37. 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

About this time they came yelping from Hadley, having there 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 desired also to go and see him; and when I came, he was crying bitterly, supposing they would quickly Kill him. Whereupon I asked one of them, whether they intended to Kill him, he answered [Page 41] me, they would not: He being a little cheared with that, I asked him about the Welfare of my Husband, he told me he saw him such a time in the Bay, and he was well, but very Me­lancholy. By which I certainly understood (though I suspected it before) that whatsoever the In [...]ians 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 wished him to Marry, and told him he should have his Choice, and that all perswaded him I was dead. So like were these barbarous Creatures to him who was a Liar from the beginning.

As I was sitting once in the Wigwam here, Philip's Maid came in with the Child in her Arms, and asked me to give her a piece of my Apron, to make a Flap for it; I told her I would not; then my Mistress bid me give it, but I still 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 Mistress rises up, and takes up a Stick big enough to have killed me, & struck at me with it, but I stept out and she struck the stick into the Mat of the Wigwam. But while I was pulling of it out, I ran to the Maid and gave her all my Apron, and so that Storm went over.

[Page 42] Hearing that my Son was come to this place, I went [...]o see him, and told him his Father was well, bu [...] 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) were going to the French for Powder, but by the way the Mo­ [...]aws met with them, and killed four of their Company, which made the rest turn back a­gain; for which I desire that my self and he may bless the Lord; for it might have been worse with him, had he been Sold to the French, than it proved to be in his remaining with the Indians.

I went to see an English Youth in this place, one Iohn Gilberd of Springfield. I found him lying without doors upon the Ground; I 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 Cloaths: The young Man himself had nothing on but his Shirt and Wast­coat. This sight was enough to melt a Heart of Flint. There they lay quivering in the Cold, [Page 43] 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. I advised Iohn to go and get to some Fire; he told me he could not stand, but I perswaded him still, lest he should lye there and die. And with much ado I got him to a Fire, and went my self home. As soon as I was got home, his Ma­sters Daughter came after me, to know what I had done with the English Man? I told her I had got him to a Fire in such a place. Now had I need to pray Paul's Prayer, 2 Thess. 3. 2. That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked Men. for her Satisfaction I went along with her, and brought her to him; but before I got home again, it was noised about, that I 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 I had been, and what I had been doing? and saying they would knock me on the head: I told them I had been seeing the English Youth, and that I would not run away. They told me I lied, and getting 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 I say with David, [...]: 24. 14. I am in a great strait. If I keep in, I must dye with Hunger; and if I go out, I must be knockt on the head. This distressed Condition [Page 44] held that Day, and half the next; and then the Lord remembred me, whose Mercies are great. Then came an Indian to me with a pair of Stock­ings which 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 Mistress if I might go along with him a little way? She said, yes, I might; but I wa [...] not a little refresh'd with that News, that I had my Liberty again. Then I 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, I had time & liber­ty again to look into my Bible, which was my Guide by Day, and my Pillow by Night. Now that comfortable Scripture presente [...] it self to me, Isai. 45. 7. For a small Moment have I for­saken thee, but with great Mercies will I gather thee. Thus the Lord carried me along from one time to another, and made good to me this precious Promise, and many others. Then my Son came to see me, and I asked his Master to let him stay a while with me, that I might comb his Head, and look over him, for he was almost overcome 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 [Page 45] seems) [...]arried a littl [...] 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 Master, and that he had given him some Ground-Nuts 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, and I never saw him afterward, till I saw him at Piscataqua in Portsmouth.

That Night they bid me go out of the Wig­wam again: My Mistress's Papoos was Sick, & it died that Night; and there was one benefit in it, that there was more room. I went to a Wig­wam, and they bid me come in, and gave me a Skin to lye upon, and a mess of Venson and Ground-Nuts, which was a choice Dish among them. On the morrow they buried the Papoos; and afterward, both Morning and Evening, there came a company to mourn and howl with her: though I confess I could not much condole with them. Many sorrowful Eyes I had in this place; often getting alone, like a Cra [...]e or a Swallow, so did I Chatter; I did Mourn as a Dove, mine Eyes fail with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppr [...]ssed, undertake for me, Isai. 38. 14. I could tell the Lord as Hezechiah, ver. 3. Remember now O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth. Now had I time to examine all my Ways: My Conscience did not a [...]cuse me of [Page 46] Unrighteousness towards one or other; yet I saw how in my Walk with God, I had been a careless creature. As David said, Against thee, thee only have I sinned. And I might say with the poor Publican, God be merciful unto me a Sinner. Upon the Sabbath-days I could look upon the Sun, and think how People were going to the House of God, to have their Souls refresht, and then home, and their Bodies also; but I was destitute of both, and 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, Luk. 15. 16. For I must say with him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in [...]hy sight, ver. 21. I remembred how on the Night before and after the Sabbath, when my Family was about me, and Relations & Neigh­bours with us; we could Pray, and Sing, and refresh our Bodies with the good Creatures of God, and then have a comfortable Bed to lye down on; But instead of all this, I had only a little Swill for the Body, and then like a Swine, must lye 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 having nothing to eat by the way this Day, but a few crumbs of Cake, that an Indian gave my Girl, the same Day we were taken. She gave it me, and I put it into 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, and grew so dry and hard, that it was like little Flints; and this refreshed [...] many times, when I was ready to saint. It was in my thoughts when I put it into my Mouth, that if ever I returned, I would tell the World, what a Blessing the Lord gave to such mean Food. 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 sat 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 lien 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, & put it into the Paunch, [Page 48] and so boyled it; I could at nothing of that, though they ate it sweetly. And yet they were so nice in other things, that wh [...]n 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 handful of Ground-Nuts, for my Support that Day: they gave me my Load, and I went on chearfully, (with the thoughts of going home­ward) having my Burden more on my Back than my Spirit. We came to Baquaug River a­gain that Day, near which we abode a few Days. 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 after, and yet I should quickly do the same again. And after I was thoroughly Hungry, I was ne­ver again satisfied. For though sometimes it fell out that I got enough, and did eat till I could eat no more, [...]et I was as unsatisfied as I was [Page 49] when I began. And now could I see that Scrip­ture verified,) there being many Scriptures that we [...]o not take notice of, or understand till we are afflicted) 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 that Scripture would quiet me again, Amos 3. 6. Shall there be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? The Lord help me to make a right improvement of his Word, and that I might learn that great Lesson. Mic. 6. 8, 9. He hath shewed thee, O 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 Baquaug River. The Water was up to the Knee [...] ▪ and the Stream very swift, and so cold, that I thought it would have cut me in sunder. I was so weak & [...]eeble, that I reeled as I went along, and thought there I must end my Days at last, after my bearing and getting through so many Difficulties. The Indians stood Laughing to se [...] me staggering along, but in my Distress, the Lord gave me Experience of the truth [...] good­ness [Page 50] of that Promise, Isa. 43. 2. When thou passest thorough the Waters I will be with thee, and: tho­rough the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Then I sat down to put on my Stockings and Shoes, with the Tears running down my Eyes, and many sorrowful Thoughts in my Heart. But I got up to go along with them. Quickly there came up to us an Indian, who informed them, that I must go to Wachuset 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 14 Days, & 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 I could run. My Strength seemed to come again, and to recruit my feeble Knees, and a king Heart; yet it pleased them to go but one mile that Night, & there we stayed two Days. In that time [...]ame a company of Indians to us, near thirty, al [...] on Horse-back. My Heart skipt within me, thinking they had been English Men at the first sight of them: for they were dressed in English Apparel, with Hats, white Neckcloths, and Sashes about their Wasts, and Ribbonds upon their Shoulders: But when they came near, there was a vast difference be­tween the lovely Faces of Christians, and the [...]oul 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 my pack, and a­long we went chearfully; but quickly my Will p [...]oved more than my Strength; having little or no Refreshing, my Strength failed, and my Spirits were almost quite gone. Now may I say as David, Psal. 109. 22, 23, 24. I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down like the Locust: my knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh faileth of fatness. [...]t Night we came to an Indian Town, and the In­dians sat down by a Wigwam discoursing, but I 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, & 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 boyling in: He took a Dish, and gave me one Spoonful of Sam [...], and bid me take as much of the Broth as I would. Then I put some of the [...] Water to the Samp, and drank it up, & my Spirit came again. He gave me also a piece of the Ruffe or Ridding of the small Guts, and I broiled it on the Coals; and now may I say with Ionathan, See I pray you, [Page 52] how mine eyes are enlightned, because I tasted a little of this Honey. 1 Sam. 14. 29. Now is my [...]pirit revived again; though means be never so in­considerable, yet if the Lord bestow his Blessing upon them, they shall refresh both Soul & 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 Children, Captives, and one of them my own Sister's. I went to see how she did, and she was well, considering her Cap­tive Condition. I would have [...]arried that Night with her, but they that owned her would not suffer it. Then I went to another Wigwam, where they were boyling Corn & Beans, which was a lovely sight to see, but I could not get a taste thereof. Then I went into another Wig­wam, where there were two of the English Chil­dren: The Squaw was boyling Horses Feet, she cut me off a little piece, and gave one of the English Children 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 [...]abber­ing [Page 53] of it in the Mouth and Hand, then I took it of the Child, and ate it my self, and savoury it was to my taste. That I may say as Iob, Chap. 6. 7. The things that my Soul refused to touch, are as my sorrowful meat. Thus the Lord made that Pleasant and Refreshing, which another time would have been an Abomination. Then I went home to my Mistress's Wigwam, and they told me I disgraced my Master with Begging, and if I did so any more, they would knock me on the head: I told them, they had as good do that, as starve me to death.

The Nineteenth 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 Days to­gether, without resting any Day between. At last, after many weary 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 tired before. Being almost spent, I thought I should have sunk down at last, and never get out; but I may say as in Psal. 94. 18. When m [...] foot slipped, thy Mercy O Lord held me up. Going along, having indeed my Life, but little Spirit, Philip (who was in the Company) came up, and took me by the [Page 54] Hand, and said, Two Weeks more, and you shall be Mistress again. I asked him if he spake true? he answered, Yes, and quickly you shall 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 was I to see him. He asked me when I washt me? I told him not this Month; then he fetcht me some Water himself, and bid me wash, & gav [...] me the Glass to see how I lookt, and bid his Squaw give me something to [...]at. 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 pitied 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 Wigwam I 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 near as much Time as any of the Gentry of the Land: Powdering her Hair, and Painting her Face, going with her Neck­laces, 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 Beads. The third Squaw was a younger [Page 55] one, by whom he had two Papooses. By that time I was refresht by the old Squaw, Wetti­more's Maid came to call me home, at which I fell a weeping. Then the old Squaw told me to encourage me, that when I wanted Victuals, I should come to her, and that I should l [...] in her Wigwam. Then I went with the Maid, & quickly I came back and lodged there. The Squaw laid a Matt under me, and a good Rugg over me; the first time that I had any such kind­ness shewed me. I understood that We [...]imore thought, that if she should let me go and serve with the old Squaw, she should be in danger to lose (not only my Service) but the Redemption-pay also. And I was not a little glad to hear this; being by it raised in my hopes, that in Gods due time, there [...] be an end of this sorrowful Hour. The [...] [...]me an Indian & asked me to knit him three pair of Stockings, for which I had a Hat, and a Silk Handkerchief. Then another asked me to make her a Shift, for which she gave me an Apron.

Then came Tom and Peter with the second Letter from the Council, about the Captives. Though they were Indians, I gat them by the Hand, and burst out into Tears; my Heart was so full that I could not speak to them; but reco­vering my self, I asked them how my Husband did? and all my Friends & Acquaintance? they said they were well, but very Melancholy. They [Page 56] brought me two Biskets, & a pound of Tobacco. The Tobacco I soon 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 he to rant and threaten; I told him when my Husband came, I would give him some: Hang him, Rogue, (says he) 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 Hundred without Guns, they would do them no hurt. So unstable and like mad Men they were. So that fearing the worst, I durst not sent to my Husband, though there were some thoughts of his coming to Re­deem and fetch me, not knowing what might follow; for there was little more trust to them, than 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 sat down among them, as I was wont to do, as their manner is; Then they bid 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 Indians, I was in a great strait. I thought if I should speak of but a little, [...] would be slighted, and hinder the matter; if of a great Sum, I knew not where it would be procured; yet at a venture, I sai [...] [Page 57] Twenty Pounds, yet desired them to take less; but they would not hear of that, but sent that Message to Boston, That for Twenty Pounds I should be redeemed. It was a Praying Indian that wrote their Letter for them. There was another Praying Indian, 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, for the Destruction of poor Christians) Then he said, he read that Scripture to him, 2 King. 6. 25. There was a Fa­mine in Samaria, and behold they besieged it, until 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 lawful to eat that in a Famine, which is not at ano­ther time. And now says he, he will eat Horse with any Indian of them all. There was another Praying Indian, who when he had done all the Mischief that he could, betrayed his own Fa­ther into the English's 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 Christian Fingers. Another Praying Indian, when they went to Sudbury Fight, went with them, and his Squaw also with him, with her Papoos at her [Page 58] 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, 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 on the Deer-Skin made a Speech, and all manifested Assent to it, and so they did many times together. Then they bid 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 again; and at the end of every Sentence in his speaking, they all assented, humming or muttering with their Mouths, and striking upon the Ground with their Hands. Then they bid him with the two Guns, go out of the Ring again; which he did a little way. Then they called him in again, but he made a stand, so they called him with greater earnestness: But he stood reeling and wavering, as if he knew not whether he should stand or fall, or which way to go. Then they called him with exceeding great Vehemency, [Page 59] all of them, one and another. After a little while he turned in, staggering as he went, with his Arms stretched out, in either Hand a Gun. As soon as he came in, they all sang and rejoyc­ed exceedingly a while, and then he upon the Deer-Skin made another Speech, unto which they all assented in a rejoycing 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 Victo­ry. For they said they had killed two Captains, and almost an hundred Men. One English Man they brought alive with them, and he said it was too true, for they had made sad work at Sudbury; as indeed it proved. Yet they came home without that Rejoycing and Triumphing over their Victory, which they were wont to shew at other times: But rather like Dogs, (as they say) which have lost their Ears. Yet I could not perceive that it was for their own loss of Men; they said they lost not above five or six; and I missed none, except 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 that they should have a Fall. Whither it were so or no, I cannot tell, but so [Page 60] 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 any abuse) as black as the Devil. When my Master came home, he came to me, and bid me make a Shirt for his Papoos of a Holland laced Pillow-beer. 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 and 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 English Men at Sudbury, and there lye 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 & his Squaw refresh my feeble Carcass. If I went to their Wigwam at any time, they would always 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 Frying-pan to fry it; and I cannot but remember what a sweet, pleasant and delightful Relish 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 had 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 now say amongst themselves, that the Governour would be so angry for his loss at Sudbury, that he would send no more about the Captives, which made me grieve and tremble. My Sister being not far from this place, 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 first, told him she would 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 I saw her in Charlestown. Bu [...] the Lord requi­ted many of their ill doings, for this Indian, her Master, was hanged afterward at Boston. They began now to come from all Quarters, against their merry dancing Day: Amongst 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 I hope we shall hear some good News shortly. I could hear how [Page 62] earnestly my Sister desired to see me, and I ear­nestly desired to see her; yet neither of us could get an opportunity. My Daughter was now but about a mile off; and I had not seen her in 9 or 10 Weeks, as I had not seen my Sister since our first taking. I desired them to let me go and see them, yea, I intreated, begged & perswaded them to let me see my Daughter; and yet so hard-hearted were they, that they would not suffer it. They made use of their tyrannical Power whilst they had it, but through the Lord's wonderful Mercy, their time was now but short.

On a Sabbath-day, the Sun being about an hour high in the afternoon, came Mr. Iohn Hoar, (the Council permitting him and his own for­ward Spirit inclining him) together with the 2 forementioned Indians, Tom and Peter, with the third Letter from the Council. When they came near, I was abroad; they presently calle me in, and bid me sit down, and not stir. Then they catcht up their Guns and away they ran, as if an enemy 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 told 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 could do. [Page 63] Then they let them come to their Wigwams. I begged of th [...]m 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 o [...]r welfare, and how my Husband did, and all my Friends? he told me they were all well, and would be glad to see me. Among other things which my Husband sent me, there came a pound of Tobacco, which I sold for 9 Shillings in Money: For many of them for want of Tobacco, smoked Hemlock & Ground-Ivy. It was a great mistake in any who thought I sent for Tobacco, for through the favour of God, that [...]e­sire 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 late, 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 found they had stolen the greatest part of the Provision Mr. Hoar had brought. And we may see the wonderful Power of God▪ in that one passage, in that when there was such a number of them 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 on the head, and take what we had; there being not only some Provision, but also Trading-Cloth, a part of the 20 Pounds agreed upon: But instead of doing us any Mis­Mischief, [Page 64] they seemed to be ashamed of the fact, and said it was Matchit Indians that did it. Oh that we could believe that there is nothing too hard for God! God shewed his Power over the Heathen in this, as he did over the hungry Lions, when Daniel was cast into the Den. Mr. Hoar call­ed them betime to Dinner, but they ate but lit­tle, they being so busie in dressing themselves & getting ready for their Dance; which was carri­ed on by 8 of them, 4 Men and 4 Squaws; my Master and Mistress being two. He was dressed in his Holland Shirt, with great Laces sewed at the tail of it, he had his Silver Buttons, his white Stockings, his Garters hung round with Shillings, and had Girdles of Wampom upon his head and shoulders. She had a Kersey Coat, covered with Girdles of Wampom from the Loins upward. Her Arms from her Elbows to her Hands, were co­vered with Bracelets, there were hand [...]uls of Neck­laces about her Neck, and several sorts of Jewels in her Ears. She had fine red Stockings, and white Shoes, her Hair powdered and her Face painted Red, that was always before Black. And all the Dancers were after the same manner. There were two other singing & knocking on a Kettle for their Musick. They kept hopping up and down one after another, with a Kettle of Water in the midst, standing warm upon some Embers, to drink of when they were dry. They held on till it was almost Night, throwing out Wampom to the stan­ders-by. [Page 65] At Night I asked them again, if I should go home? they all as one said no, except my Husband would come for me. When we were lain down, my Master went out of the Wig­wam, and by and by sent in an Indian, called Iames 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. The [...] Mr. Hoar called his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid them all go, & see if he would promise it before them three; and if he would, he should have it, which he did, and had it. Philip smell­ing the business, called me to him, and asked me what I would give him, to tell me some good News, and to speak a good word for me, that I might go home to morrow? I told him I could not tell what to give him, I would any thing I had, and asked him what he would have? He said two Coats, and Twenty Shillings in Money, half a bushel of Seed Corn, and some Tobacco. I thanked him for his love, but I knew that good News as well as that 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, & yet presently say he should be hanged. Then he called for me,; I trembled to hear him, and yet I was fain to go to him; and he drank to [Page 66] me, shewing no incivility. He was the first Indian I saw Drunk, all the time I was among them. At last his Squaw ran out, & he after her, round the Wigwam, with his Money jing [...]ing at his knees, but she escaped him; but having an old Squaw he ran to her; and so through the Lord's Mercy, we were no more troubled with him that Night. Yet I had not a comfortable Nights rest; for I think I can say, I did not sleep for three Nights together. The Night before the Letter came from the Council, I could not rest, I was so full of fears and troubles; yea, at this time I could not rest Night nor Day. The next Night I was over-joy'd, Mr. Hoar being come, and that with such good Tidings. The third Night I was even swallowed up with the thoughts of going home again, and that I must leave my Children behind me in the Wilderness; so that sleep was now almost departed from mine eyes.

On Tuesday Morning they called their General Cour [...] (as they stiled it) to consult and determine, whether I should go home or no. And they all seemingly consented that I should go, except Philip, who would not come among them.

But before I go any farther, I would take leave to mention a few remarkable Passages of Providence, which I took special Notice of in my afflicted time.

1. Of the fair opportunity lost in th [...] long March, a little after the Fort-fight, when our En­glish [Page 67] Army was so numerous, and in pursuit of the Enemy, and so near as to overtake several and destroy them; and the Enemy in such di­stress fo [...] Food, that our Men might track them by their rooting in the Earth for Ground-Nuts, whilst they were flying for their lives; I say that then our Army should want Provision, and be for­ced to leave their pursuit, & return homeward, and the very next week the enemy came upon our Town, like Bears bereft of their Whelps, or so many Ravenous Wolves, rending us and our Lambs to Death. But what shall I say? God seemed to leave his People to themselves, and ordered all things for his own holy ends. Shall there be evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it? They are not grieved for the Affliction of Ioseph, therefore they shall go Captive, with the first that go Captive. It is the Lords doing, and it should be mar­vellous in our eyes.

2. I cannot but remember, how the Indians derided the slowness and dulness of the English Army 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 may come in May, said they Thus did they scoff at us, as if the English would be a quarter of a Year getting ready.

3 Which also I have hinted before, when the English Army with new Supplies were sent forth [Page 68] 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 impassible to the English. I can but admire to see the wonder­ful Providence of God in preserving the Heathen for farther Affliction to our poor Country. 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 die with Hunger; and all 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 admiration did the Lord preserve them for his holy ends, and the destruction of many still among the English! strangely did the Lord pro­vide for them, that I did not see (all the time I was among them) one Man, Woman or Child dye with Hunger. Though many times they would eat that that a Hog or a Dog would hardly touch; yet by that God strengthened them to be a scourge to his People.

Their chief & commonest food was Ground-Nuts; they ate also Nuts, and Acrons, Harty-choaks, Lilly-roots, Ground-beans, and several other Weeds and Roots, that I know not.

They would pick up old Bones, and cut them in pieces at the joynts, and if they were full of [Page 69] Worms & Magots, they would scald them over the fire, to m [...]ke the vermine come out, & then boyl them, and drink up the Liquor, and then beat the great ends of them in a Morter, and so eat them. They would eat Horses Guts, & Ears, [...] all sorts of wild Birds which they could catch: Also Bear, Venson, Beavers, Tortois, Frogs, Squirrils, Dogs, Skunks, Rattle-snakes: Yea, the very Bark of Trees; besides all sorts of Creatures, & 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 a­gainst they wanted. It is said, Psal. 81. 13, 14. Oh that my people had hearkened to, me, and Israel had walked in my ways; I should soon have subdued their Enemies, and turned my hand against their ad­versaries. But now our perverse and evil carri­ages in the sight of the Lord, have so offended him, that instead of turning his hand against them, the Lord feeds and nourishes the [...] 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 were at the highest, and the English at the lo [...]est. I was with the Enemy 11 [Page 70] Weeks and 5 Days, and not one Week passed without their fury, and some Desolation by Fire and Sword upon one place or other. They mour­ned for their own Losses, yet triumphed and re­joyced in their inhumane and devilish Cruelty 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 in such a place; and such a Captain and his Company in such a place: And boast how many To [...]s they had destroyed, and then scoff, and say, They had done them a good turn, to send them to Heaven so soon. [...]gain, they would say, this Summer they would knock all the Rogues on the head, or drive them into the Sea, or make them fly the Country; thinking surely, Agag ­like, The bitterness of Death is past. Now the Hea­then begin 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 earnest, 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 he takes the Quarrel in­to his own hand; and tho' they had made a pit (in their own imaginations) as deep as Hell for the Christians that Summer, yet the Lord hurl'd themselves into it. And the Lord had not so many ways before to preserve them, but now he hath as many to destroy them.

[Page 71] 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 Hus­band would come for me; but afterward they assented to it, and seemed to rejoyce in it: some asking me to send them some Bread, others some Tobacco, others shaking me by the hand, offer­ing me a Hood and Scarfe to Ride in: not one moving Hand or Tong [...]e against it. Thus hath the Lord answered my poor desires, & 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 willing, he and his Squaw would run away, and go home along with me. I told them 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 gran [...]ed me my desire. O the wonderful Power of God that I have seen, & the Experiences that I have had: I have been in the midst of those Roaring Lions, 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 the least abuse of Unchastity to me, in Word or Action. Though some are ready to say, I 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, as it was to save Daniel in the Li­ons Den, or the three Children in the fiery Fur­nace. [Page 72] I may well say as he, Psal. 170. 12. Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mer­ [...]y endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the Enemy: Especially that I should come away in the midst of so many hundreds of Enemies, and not a Dog move his Tongue. So I took my leave of them, & in coming along, my Heart melted into Tears more than all the while I was with them, & I was almost swallowed up with the thoughts that ever I should go home again. About the Suns going down, Mr. Hoar, my self, and the two Indians, came to Lancaster, and a solemn sight it was to me. There had I lived many com­fortable Years among my Relations and Neigh­bours; and now not one Christian to be seen, nor one House left standing. We went on to a Farm-house that was ye [...] sta [...]ding, where we lay all Night; and a comfortable Lodging we had, though nothing but Straw to lye on. The Lord preserved us in safety that Night, & 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 lo [...]ly 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, & knew it not; she being shot down by the [...]ouse, was [Page 73] 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 was not without Sorrow, to think how many were looking and longing, and my own Children among the rest, to enjoy that Delive­rance that I had now received; and I did not know whither ever I should see them again. Be­ing recruited with Food & Raiment, we went to Boston that Day; where I met with my dear Hus­band, but the thoughts of our dear Children, one being dead, & the other we could not tell where, abated our comfort each in other. I was not be­fore so much hem'd in by the merciless & cruel Heathen, but now as much with pitiful, tender-hearted and compassionate Christians. In that poor and beggerly condition, I was received in, I was kindly entertained in several Houses: So much Love I received from several, (many of whom 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 Gentlewo­men, and M. Usher, whose Bounty and Charity, I would not forget to make mention of. Then Mr. Thomas Shepard of Charlstown received us in­to his House, where we continued 11 Weeks; and a Father and Mother they were unto us. [Page 74] 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 Council sent to the Indians again, and that not without success; for they brought in my Sister and good-wife Kettle. Their not knowing where our Children were, was a sore Trial to us still; and yet we were not without secret hopes of seeing them again. That which was dead lay▪ heavier upon my Spirit, than those which were alive among the Heathen; thinking how it suffered with its Wounds, and I was not 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, sometime 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 inquiring and listning to hear concerning them, but no certain News as yet. About this time the Council had ordered a Day of publick Thanksgiving, though I thought I had still cause of Mourning; and [...]eing unset [...]led in our Minds, we thought we would ride Eastward, to see if we could hear any thing concerning our C [...]ldren. As we were riding along between Ipswich and Rowly, we met with William Hubbard, [Page 75] who told us our Son Ioseph, and my Sisters Son, were come in to Major Waldren's: 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 Thanksgiving for them; but he was not willing to stay there that Night, but would go over to Salisbury, to hear farther, 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 fulfilled that precious Scripture, which was such a comfort to me in my distressed condi­tion. When my heart was ready to sink into the Earth, and my knees trembling under me, and I was walking through the valley of the shadow of Death: Then the Lord brought, and has now fulfilled that reviving Word unto me, Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy Voice from Weeping, and thy 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 [...]ould, but could not redeem him under Seven Pounds, which the good People thereabouts were [Page 76] pleased to pay. The Lord reward the Major, and all the rest, tho' unknown to me, for their labour of Love. My Sisters Son was redeemed for four Pounds, which the Council gave order for the payment of. Having now received one of our Children, we hastned toward the other: Going back through Newbury, my Husband pr [...]ched there on the Sabbath-day, for which they Re­warded him manifold.

On Monday we came to Charlstown, where we heard that the Governour of Rhoad-Island had sent over for our Daughter, to take care of her, being now within his Jurisdiction; which should not pass without our acknowledgements. But she being nearer Re [...]oboth than Rhoad-Island, Mr. Newman went over and took care of her, & brought her to his own House. And the good­ness of God was admirable to us in our low estate, in that he raised up passionate Friends on every side, when we had nothing to recompence any for their Love. The Indians were now gone that way, that it was apprehended dangerous to go to her; but the Carts which carried Pro­vision to the English Army, being guarded, brought her with them to Dorchester, where we received her safe; blessed be the Lord for it, for great is his Power, and he can do whatsoever seem­eth him good. Her coming in was after this man­ner: She was travelling one day with the Indians, with her Basket at her back; the company of In­dians [Page 77] were got before her, and gone out of fight, all except one Squaw▪ She followed the Squaw till night, and then both of them lay down, having nothing over them but the Heavens, nor under them but the Earth. Thus she travelled 3 days together, having nothing to eat or drink but Water and green Hirtle-berries. At last they came into Providence, where she was kindly en­tertained 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 upon 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 utmost parts of Heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will I 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, & hath set us in the midst of tender-hearted and compassionate Christians. 'Tis the desire of my Soul, that we may walk worthy of the mer­cies received, and which we are receiving.

Our Family being now gathered together, the South Church in Boston hired an House for us: Then we removed from Mr. Shepard's (those cordial Friends) and went to Boston, where we continued about three quarters of a Year. Still [Page 78] the Lord went along with us, and provided graciously for us. I thought it somewhat strange to set up House-keeping with bare Walls, but as Solomon says, Money 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 to 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 towards us, that that we want­ed neither Food nor Raiment for our selves or ours, Prov. 18. 24. There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a Brother. And how many such Friends have we found, and now living amongst! and truly such a Friend have we found him to be unto us, in whose House we lived, viz. Mr. Iames Whitcomb, a Friend near hand, and afar of.

I can remember the time, when I used to sleep quietly without workings in my thoughts, whole Nights together; but now it is otherwise 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 awful dispensations of the Lord towards us; upon his wonderful 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 [Page 79] night season, how the other day I was in the midst of thousands of enemies, and nothing but Death before me: It was 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 Rock: Instead of the Husks, we had 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 water my Couch with my Tears. Oh the wonderful power of God that mine eyes have seen, affording mat­ter enough for my thoughts to run in, that when others are sleeping mine eyes are weeping.

I have seen the extream 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 ready sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosperity, having the comforts of this World about me, my Relations by me, and my Heart chearful, and taking little care for any thing; and yet seeing many (whom I preferred before my self) under many Trials and Afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses, crosses, and cares of the World, I should be sometimes jealous lest I should have my por­tion in this Life; and that Scripture would come [Page 80] 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 Affliction by drops, but the Wine of astonishm [...]nt, 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, pressed down and running over: Yet I see when God calls a person to never so many Difficulties, yet he is able to carry them through, & make them say, they have been gainers there­by. And I hope I can say in some measure, as David, It is good for me that I have been afflicted. 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. If trouble from smaller 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 Moses said, Exod. 14. 13. Stand still, and see the Salvation of the Lord.