The first Remove.

Now away we must go with those Barbarous Creatures, A6v 6
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 asked them
whither 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 danceing, and yelling of those black creatures
in the night, which made the place a lively resemblance
of hell. And as miserable was the waft
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 and burning, and some boyling
to feed our merciless EnemlesEnemies; who were joyfull
enough though we were disconsolate. To add
to the dolefulness 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 and Friends gone, our House and home
and all our comforts within the 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 woundeded A7r 7
[Gap in transcription—1 wordobscured] and it seemed at present worse than death
that it was in such a pitiful condition, bespeaking,
Compassion, and I had {Handwritten deletion: on} end of handwritten deletion {Handwritten addition: no} end of handwritten addition refreshing for it, nor
suitable things to revive it, Little do many think
what is the savageness and bruitishness of this barbarous
Enemy! even those that seem to profess
more than others among them, when the
English have fallen into their hands.

Those seven that were killed at Lancaster the
summer before upon a Sabbath day, and the one
that was afterward killed upon a week day, were
slain and mangled in a barbarous manner, by one-
ey’d John, and Marlborough’s Praying Indians,
which Capt. Mosely brought to Boston, 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 knew not whether. It is
not [Gap in transcription—1 wordobscured] 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 wonderfull
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 dy, I shall dy”.
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 armes till my strength failed, and I fell A7v 8
fell down with it: Then they set me upon a horse
with my 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 creatures laught,
and rejoyced to see it, though I thought we should
there have ended our dayes, as overcome with so
many difficulties. But the Lord renewed my
strength still, and carried me along, that I might
see more of his Power; yea, so much that I could
never have thought of, had I not experienced it.

After this it quickly began to snow, and when
night came on, they stopt: and now down I must sit
in the snow, by a little fire, and a few boughs behind
me, with my sick Child my lap; and calling much
for water, being now (through 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 armes, looking that every hour would
be the last of its life; and having no Christian friend
near me, either to comfort or help me. Oh, I may
see the wonderfull power of God, that my Spirit did
not utterly sink under my affliction: still the Lord
upheld me with his gracious and mercifull Spirit,
and we were both alive to see the light of the next
morning.

The third remove.

The morning being come, they prepared to go on their A8r 9
their way: One of the Indians got up upon a horse,
and they set me up behind him, with my poor sick
Babe in my lap. A very wearisome and tedious
day I had of it; what with my own wound, and
my Childs being so exceeding sick, and in a lamentable
condition with her wound. It may be easily
judged what a poor feeble condition we were in,
there being not the least crumb of refreshing that
came within either of our mouths, from Wednesday
night to Saturday night, except only a little cold
water. This day in the afternoon, about an hour
by Sun, we came to the place where they intended,
viz. an Indian Town, called Wenimesset, Norward
of Quabaug. When we were come, Oh the
number of Pagans (now merciless enemies) that
there came about me, that I may say as David,
Psal. 27. 13, “I had fainted, unless I had believed, &c.”
The next day was the Sabbath: I then remembred
how careless I had been of Gods holy time: how
many Sabbaths I had lost and mispent, and how
evily I had walked in Gods sight; which lay so
closs unto my spirit, that it was easie for me to see
how righteous it was with God to cut off the threed
of my life, and cast me out of his presence for ever.
Yet the Lord still shewed mercy to me, and
upheld me; and as he wounded me with one hand,
so he healed me with the other. This day there
came to me one Robbert Pepper (a man belonging
to Roxbury) who was taken in Captain Beers his
Fight, and had been now a considerable time with
the Indians; and up with them almost as far as Albany, A8v 10
Albany to see king Philip, as he told me, and was
now very lately come into these parts. Hearing,
I say, that I was in this Indian Town, he obtained
leave to come and see me. He told me, he himself
was wounded in the leg at Captain Beers his
Fight; and was not able some time to go, but as
they carried him, and as he took Oaken leaves and
laid to his wound, and through the blessing of God
he was able to travel again. Then I took Oaken
leaves and laid to my side, and with the blessing of
God it cured me also; yet before the cure was
wrought, I may say, as it is in Psal. 38. 5, 6. “My
wounds stink and are corrupt, I am troubled, I am
bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long.”
I sat much alone with a poor wounded Child in my
lap, which moaned night and day, having nothing
to revive the body, or cheer the spirits of her,
but instead of that, sometimes one Indian would
come and tell me one hour, that your Master will
knock your Child in the head, and then a second,
and then a third, your Master will quickly knock
your Child in the head.

This was the comfort I had from them, miserable
comforters are ye all, as he said. Thus nine dayes
I sat upon my knees, with my Babe in my lap, till
my flesh was raw again; my Child being even ready
to depart this sorrowfull world, they bade me
carry it out to another Wigwam (I suppose because
they would not be troubled with such spectacles)
Whither I went with a very heavy heart, and
down I sat with the picture of death in my lap. About B1r 11
About two houres in the night, my sweet Babe,
like a Lambe departed this life, on 1675-02-18Feb. 18. 1675.
It being about six yeares, and five months old. It
was nine dayes from the first wounding, in this
miserable condition, without any refreshing of
one nature or other, except a little cold water. I
cannot but take notice, how at another time I
could not bear to be in the room where any dead
person was, but now the case is changed; I must
and could ly down by my dead Babe, side by side
all the night after. I have thought since of the
wonderfull goodness of God to me, in preserving
me in the use of my reason and senses, in that 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
Quanopin, who was a Saggamore, and married
King Phillips wives Sister; not that he first
took me, but I was sold to him by another Narrhaganset
Indian, who took me when first I came
out of the Garison) I want 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 at my masters
wigwam, I took the first opportunity I could
get, to go look after my dead child: when I came I
askt them what they had done with it? then they
told me it was upon the hill: then they went and B shewed B1v 12
shewed me where it was, where I saw the ground
was newly digged, and there they told me they
had buried it: There I left that Child in the Wilderness,
and must commit it, and my self also in this
Wilderness-condition, to him who is above all. God
having taken away this dear Child, I went to see
my daughter Mary, who was at this same Indian
Town, at a Wigwam not very far off, though we
had little liberty or opportunity to see one another:
she was about ten years old, & taken from the door
at first by a Praying IndIndian & afterward sold for a gun.
When I came in sight, she would fall a weeping;
at which they were provoked, and would not let
me come near her, but bade me be gone; which
was a heart-cutting word to me. I had one Child
dead, another in the Wilderness, I knew not where,
the third they would not let me come near to: “Me”
(as he said) “have ye bereaved of my Children, Joseph
is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will taken Benjamin
also, all 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 heart was even overwhelm’d with the thoughts
of my condition, and that I should have Children,
“and a Nation which I knew not ruled over them.”
Whereupon I earnestly entreated the Lord, that he
would consider my low estate, and shew me a token
for good, and if it were his blessed will, some sign
and hope of some relief. And indeed quickly the
Lord answered, in some measure, my poor prayers: For B2r 13
For as I was going up and down mourning and lamenting
my condition, my Son came to me, and
asked me how I did; I had not seen him before,
since the destruction of the Town, and I knew not
where he was, till I was informed by himself, that
he was amongst a smaller percel of Indians, whose
place was about six miles off; with tears in his
eyes, he asked me whether his Sister Sarah was
dead; and told me he had seen his Sister Mary;
and prayed me, that I would not be troubled in 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 smal Plantation of Indians,
where it seems he had been during his Captivity:
and at this time, there were some Forces of the
Ind.Indians gathered out of our company, and some also from
them (among whom was my Sons master) to go to assault
and burn Medfield: In this time of the absence
of his master, his dame brought him to see me.” I took
this to be some gracious answer to my earnest and
unfeigned desire. The next day, viz. to this, the Indians
returned from Medfield, all the company,
for those that belonged to the other smal company,
came thorough the Town that now we were at
But before they came to us, Oh! the outragious
roaring and hooping that there was: They began
their din about a mile before they came to us. By
their noise and hooping they signified how many
they had destroyed (which was at that time twenty
three.) Those that were with us at home, were B2 gathered B2v 14
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 rung again: And thus they continuedcontinued till
those that had been upon the expedition were come
up to the Sagamores Wigwam; and then, Oh, the
hideous insulting and triumphing that there was over
some English mens scalps that they had taken
(as their manner is) and brought with them. I cannot
but take notice of the wonderfull mercy of
God to me in those afflictions, in sending me a Bible
One of the Indians that came from Medfield fight,
had brought some plunder, came to me, and asked
me, if I would have a Bible, he had got one in his
Basket, I was glad of it, and asked him, whether
he thought 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 28. Chap. of Deut. which I did, and when I
had read it, my dark heart wrought on this manner,
That there was no mercy for me, that the blessings
were gone, and the curses came in their room, and that
I had lost my opportunity. But the Lord helped me
still to go oneon reading till I came to Chap. 30 the
seven first verses, where I found, There was mercy
promised again, if we would return to him by repentance;
and though we were scattered from 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, nor
what comfort it was to me.

Now the Ind.Indians began to talk of removing from this
place, some one way, and some another. There were
now besides my self nine, English Captives in this
place (all of them Children, except one Woman)
I got an opportunity to go and take my leave of
them; they being to go one way, and I another,
I asked them whether they were earnest with God for
deliverance, they told me, they did as they were
able, and it was some comfort to me, that the Lord
stirred up Children to look to him. The Woman
viz. Goodwife Jestin told me, she should never see
me again, and that she could find in her heart to
run away; I wisht her not to run away by any
means, for we were near thirty miles from any English
Town, and she very big with Child in her
Arms, two years old, and bad Rivers there were to
go over, & we were feeble, with out poor & coursecourse
entertainment. I had my Bible with me, I pulled
it out, and asked her whether she would read; we
opened the Bible and lighted on Psal. 27. in which
Psalm we espciallyespecially took notice of that, ver. alt,
“Wait noon the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen thine Heart, wait I say on the Lord.”

The fourth Remove.

And now I must part with that little Company I
had. Here I parted from my Daughter Mary,
(whom I never saw again till I saw her in Dorcester,
returned from Captivity, and from four little CousinsB3 sins B3v 16
and Neighbours, some of which I never saw afterward:
the Lord only knows the end of them.
Amongst them also was that poor Woman before
mentioned, who came to a sad end, as some of the
company told me in my travel: She having much
grief upon her Spirit, about her miserable 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 head, and the child in her
arms with her: when they had done that, they
made a fire and put them both into it, and told the
other Children that were with them, that if they
attempted to go home, they would serve them in
like manner: The Children said, she did not shed
one tear, but prayed all the while. But to return
to my own Journey; we travelled about half a day
or little more, and came to a desolate place in the
Wilderness, where there were no Wigwams or 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 wilde B4r 17
wild beasts of the forrest: My head was light & dissey
(either through hunger or hard lodging, or trouble
or altogether) my knees feeble, my body raw by
sitting double night and day, that I cannot express
to the man the affliction that lay upon my Spirit, but
the Lord helped me at that time to express it to
himself. I opened my Bible to read, and the Lord
brought that precious Scripture to me, Jer. 31. 16.
“Thus saith the Lord, refrain thy voice from weeping,
and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewarded,
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 weept sweetly over this Scripture.
At this place we continued about four dayes.

The fifth Remove.

The occasion (as I thought) of their moving at this
time, was the English Army it being near and 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 some of their stoutest men,
and sent them back to hold the English Army in
play whilst the rest escaped: And then, like Jehu,
they marched on furiously, with their old, and with
their young: some carried their old decrepit mothers,
some carried one, and some another. Four of them
carried a great Indian upon a Bier; but going
through a thick Wood with him, they were hindred,
and could make no hast; whereupon they took B4v 18
him upon their backs, and carried him, one at a
time, till they came to Bacquaug River. Upon a
Friday, a little after noon we came to this River.
When all the company was come up, and were gathered
together, I thought to count the number of
them, but they were so many, and being some what
in motion, it was beyond my skil. In this travel,
because of my wound, I was somewhat favoured
in my load; I carried only my knitting work and
two quarts of parched meal: Being very faint I
asked my mistriss to give me one spoonfull of the
meal, but she would not give me a taste. They
quickly fell to cutting dry trees, to make Rafts to
carry them over the river: and soon my turn came
to go over: By the advantage of some brush
which they had laid upon the Raft to sit upon, I
did not wet my foot (which many of themselves at
the other end were mid-leg deep) which cannot but
be acknowledged as a favour of God to my weakned
body, it being a very cold time. I was not before
acquainted with such kind of doings or dangers.
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be
with thee, and through the Rivers they shall not overflow
thee,” Isah. 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 Horses 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 it
was very hard to get down their filthy trash: but the
third week, though I could think how formerly my
stomach would turn against this or that, and I could
starve and dy before I could each such things, yet they
were sweet and savoury to my taste. I was at this
time knitting a pair of white cotton stockins for my
mistriss: and had not yet wrought upon a Sabbath
day; when the Sabbath came they bade me go to
work; I told them it was the Sabbath-day, and desired
them to let me rest, and told them I would do
as much more tomorrow; to which they 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 Papooses at their backs, the greatest number
at this time with us, were Squaws, and they
travelled with all they had, bag and baggage, and
yet they got over this River aforesaid; and on
Munday they set their Wigwams on fire, and away
they went: On that very day came the English
Army after them to this River, and saw the smoak
of their Wigwams, and yet this River put a stop to
them. God did not give them courage or activity
to go 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 B5v 20
to have passed this River, as well as for the Indians
with their Squaws and Children, and all their Luggage;
“Oh that my People and hearkened to me, and
Israel had walked in my ways, I should soon have subdued
their Enemies, and turned my hand against
their Adversaries,” Psal. 81-13. 14.

The sixth Remove.

On Munday (as I said) they set their Wigwams
on fire, and went away. It was a cold morning, and
before us there was a great Brook with ice on it;
some waded throgh it, up to the knees & higher, but
others went till they came to a Beaver-dam, and I
amongst them, where through the good providence
of God, I did not wet my foot. I went along that
day mourning and lamenting, leaving farther my
own Country, and travelling into the vast and
howling Wilderness, and I understood something of
Lot’s Wife’s Temptation, “when she looked back”:
we came that day to a great Swamp, by the side of
which we took up our lodglnglodging that night. When I
came to the brow of the hil, that looked toward the
Swamp, I thought we had been come to a great 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 but Indians, and behind one, nothing but
Indians, and so on either hand, I myself in the
midst, and no Christian soul near me, and yet how hath B6r 21
hath the Lord preserved me in safety? Oh the experience
that I have had of the goodness of God, to me
and mine!

The seventh Remove.

After a restless and hungry night there, we had a
wearisome time of it the next day. The Swamp by
which we lay, was, as it were, a deep Dungeon, and
an exceeding high and steep hill before it. Before
I got to the top of the hill, I thought my heart and
legs, and all would have broken, and failed me.
What through faintness, and soreness of body, it
was a grievous day of travel to me. As we went
along, I saw a place where English Cattle had been:
that was comfort to me, such as it was: quickly after
that we came to an English Path, which so took
with me, that I thought I could have freely lyen down
and dyed. That day, a little after noon, we came
to Squakhiag, 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, & went to threshing of them out. My
self got two ears of Indian Corn, and whilst I did
but turn my back, one of them was stolen from
me, which much troubled me. There came an Indian
to them at that time, with a basket of Horseliver;
I asked him to give me a piece: “What,” sayes
he, “can you eat Horse-liver?” I told him, I would try, if B6v 22
if he would give a piece, which he did, and I laid it
on the coals to rost; but before it was half ready,
they got half of it away from me, so that I was fain
to take the rest and eat it as it was, with the blood
about my mouth, and yet a savoury bit it was to
me: “For to the hungry Soul every bitter thing is
sweet.” A solemn sight methought it was, to see
Fields of wheat and Indian Corn forsaken and 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 eight Remove.

On the morrow morning we must go over the
River, i.e. Connecticot, to meet with King Philip,
two Cannoos full, they had carried over, the next
Turn i my self was to go; but as my foot was upon
the Cannoo to step in, there was a sudden out-cry
among them, and i must step back; and instead of
going over 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 Scouts, who were thereabout. In
this travel up the River; about noon the Company
made a stop, and sate down; some to eat, and
others to rest them. As I sate amongst them, musing
of things past, my Son Joseph unexpectedly
came to me: we asked of each others welfare, bemoaning
our dolefull condition, and the change
that had come upon us: We had Husbands and Father B7r 23
Father, and Children, and Sisters, and Friends, and
Relations, and House, and Home, and many Comforts
of this Life: but now we may say, as Job,
“Naked came I out of my Mothers Womb, 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 Scripture, Psal.
118. 17, 18. “I shall not dy but live, and declare the
works of the Lord: the Lord hath chastened me fore,
yet he hath not givin me over to death.” “Look here,
Mother” (sayes he) “did you read this?” And here
I may take occasion to mention one principall
ground of my setting forth these Lines: even as
the Psalmist sayes, “To declare the Works of the
Lord,” and his wonderfull Power in carrying us
along, preserving us in the Wilderness, while
under the Enemies hand, and returning otto 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 to Philip’s Crew. When I was in the
Cannoo, 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 along in the midst: I observed
they asked one another questions, and laughed,
and rejoyced over their Gains and Victories. Then B7v 24
Then my heart began to fail: and 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, and my heart was
many times ready to break, yet could I not shed
one tear in their sight: but rather had been all this
while I amaze, and like one astonished: but now
I may say as, Psal. 137.1. “By the Rivers of Babylon,
there we sate 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
spoon-fulls of Meal to comfort me, and another
gave me half a pint of Pease; which was more
worth than many Bushels at another time. Then I
went to see King Philip, he bade me come in and
sit down, and asked me whether I would smoke it
(a usual Complement now adayes amongst Saints
and Sinners) but this no way suited me. For though
I had formerly used Tobacco, yet I had left it ever
since I was first taken. It seems to be a Bait, the
Devil layes to make men loose their precious time:
I remember with shame, how formerly, when I
had taken two or three pipes, I was presently ready
for another, such bewitching thing it is: But
I thank God, he has now given me power over it:
surely there are many who may be better imployed
than to ly sucking a stinking Tobacco-pipe.

Now the Indians gather their Forces to go againstgainst B8r 25
North-Hampton: over-night one went about
yelling and hooting to give notice of the design.
Whereupon they fell to boyling of Ground-nuts,
and parching of Corn (as many as had it) for their
Provision: and in the morning away they went:
During my abode in this place, Philip spake to me to
make a shirt for his boy, which I did, for which he
gave me a shilling: I offered the mony to my master,
but he bade me keep it: and with it I bought a piece
of Horse flesh. Afterwards he asked me to make a
Cap for his boy, for which he invited me to Dinner.
I went, and he gave me a Pancake, about as
big as two fingers; it was made of parched wheat,
beaten, and fryed in Bears grease, but I 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 Stockins, for
which she gave me a quart of Pease: I boyled my
Pease and Bear together, and invited my master and
mistriss to dinner, but the proud Gossip, because I
served them both in one Dish, would eat nothing,
except on bit that he gave her upon the point of his
knife. Hearing that my son was come to this place,
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 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 B8v 26
this Place (the Sun now getting higher) what with
the beams and heat of the Sun, and the smoak 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 the Squaw
that gave me one spoonfull of Meal. I put it in my
Pocket to keep it safe: yet notwithstanding some
body stole it, but put five Indian Corns in the room
of it: which Corns were the greatest Provisions I
had in my travel for one day.

The Indians returning from North-Hamptom,
brought with them some Horses, and Sheep, and other
things which they had taken: I desired them,
that they would carry me to Albany, upon one of
those Horses, and sell me for Powder: for so they
had sometimes discoursed. I was utterly hopless
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 in stead in going either to Albany or homeward,
we must go five miles up the River, and then
go over it. Here we abode a while. Here lived a
sorry Indian, who spoke to me to make him a shirt,
when I had done it, he would pay weme nothing. But he C1r 27
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 was not a little
glad that I had any thing that they would accept
of, and be pleased with. When we were at this
place, my Masters maid came home, she had been
gone three weeks into the Narrhaganset Country,
to fetch Corn, where they had stored up some in the
ground: she brought home about a peck and half
of Corn. This was about the time that their great
Captain, Naananto, was killed in the Narrhaganset
Countrey My Son being now about a mile
from me, I asked liberty to go and see him, they bade
me go, and away I went: but quickly lost my self,
travelling over Hills and thorough Swamps, and
could not find the way to him. And I cannot but admire
at the wonderfull 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, he shewed me the
way to my Son: When I came to him I found him
not well; and withall he had a boyl on his side,
which much troubled him: We bemoaned one anotherC ther C1v 28
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 mournfull looks, and no Christian-Friend was
near him, to do any office of love for him, either
for Soul or Body. And my poor Girl, I knew not
where she was, nor whither she was sick, or well,
or alive, or dead. I repaired under these thoughts
to my Bible (my great comfort 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 and look after something to
satisfie 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 would get it from me, and there it
lay all that day and night in my stinking pocket.
In the morning I went to the same Squaw, who
had a Kettle of Ground nuts boyling; I asked her
to let me boyle my piece of Bear in her Kettle,
which she did, and gave me some Ground-nuts to
eat with it: and I cannot but think how pleasant
it was to me. I have sometime seen Bear bake
very handsomly among the English, and some liked
it, but the thoughts that it was Bear, made me tremble: C2r 29
tremble: but now that was savoury to me that one
would think was enough to turn the stomach of a
bruit Creature.

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

The tenth Remove.

That day a small part of the Company removed
about three quarters of a mile, intending further the
next day. When they came to the place where
they intended to lodge, and had pitched their Wigwams;
being hungry I went again back to the
place we were before at, to get something to eat:
being encouraged by the Squaws kindness, who
bade me come again; when 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, and sometimes with nothing but frowns.

The eleventh Remove.

The next day in the morning they took their Travel,
intending a dayes journey up the River, i took C2 my C2v 30
my load at my back, and quickly we came to wade over
the River: and passed over tiresome and wearisome
hills. One hill was so steep that I was fain to
creep up upon my knees, and to hold by the twiggs
and bushes to keep my self from falling backward.
My head also was so light, and I usually reeled as
I went; but I hope all these wearisome steps that
i have taken, are but a forewarning {Handwritten deletion: of} end of handwritten deletion {Handwritten addition: to} end of handwritten addition me {Handwritten deletion: to} end of handwritten deletion {Handwritten addition: of} end of handwritten addition the
heavenly rest. “I know, O Lord, that thy Judgements
are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted
me,” Psal. 119 71.

The twelfth Remove.

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

But the thought of my going homeward, (for so
we bent our course) much cheared my Spirit, and made C3r 31
made my burden seem light, and almost nothing at
all. But (to my amazment and great perplexity)
the scale was soon turned: for when we had gone
a little way, on a sudden my mistriss gives out, she
would go no further, but turn back again, and said
I must go back again with her, and she called her
Sannup, and would have had him gone back also,
but he would not, but said, “He would go on, and
come to us again in three dayes.” My Spirit was upon
this, I confess, very impatient, and almost
outragious. I thought I could as well have dyed
as went back: I cannot declare the trouble that
I was in about it; but yet back again I must go.
As soon as I had an opportunity, I took my Bible
to read, and that quieting Scripture came to my
hand, Psal. 46.10. “Be still, and know that I am
God.” Which stilled my spirit for the present: But a
fore time of tryal, I concluded, I had to go through.
My master being gone, who seemed to me the best
friend that I had of an Indian, both in cold and hunger,
and quickly so it proved. Down I sat, with
my heart as full as it could hold, and yet so hungry
that I could not sit neither: but going out to see
what I could find, and walking among the Trees, I
found six Acorns, and two Ches-nuts, which were
some refreshment to me. Towards Night I gathered
me some sticks for my own comfort, that I
might not ly a-cold: but when we came to ly down
they bade me go out out, and ly some-where-else, for
they had company (they said) come in more than C3 their C3v 32
their own: I told them, I could not tell where to
go, they bade me go look; I told them, if I went
to another Wigwam they would be angry, and send
me home again. Then one of the Company drew
his sword, and told me he would run 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
know not whither. Mine eyes have seen that fellow
afterwards walking up and down Boston, under
appearance of a Friend-Indian, and severall others of
the like Cut. I went to one Wigwam, and they
told me they had no room. Then I went to another,
and they said the same; at last an old Indian
bade me come to him, and his Squaw gave me
some Ground-nuts; she gave me also something to
lay under my hear, and a good fire we had: and
through the good providence of God, I had a comfortable
lodging that night. In the morning, another
Indian bade me come at night, and he would
give me six Ground nuts, which I did. We were
at this place and time about two miles from Connecticut
River. We went in the morning to gather
Ground-nuts, to the River, and went back again
that night. I went with a good load at my back
[Gap in transcription—1 letterobscured]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 Thicket of Brush: where we
abode almost a fortnight. Here one asked me to
make a shirt for her Papoos, for which she gave me
a mess of Broth, which was thickened with meal
made of the Bark of a Tree, and to make it better,
she had put into it about a handfull of Pease,
and a few roasted Ground-nuts. I had not seen my
son a pritty while, and here was an Indian of whom
I made inquiry after him, and asked him when he
saw him: he answered me, that such a time his master
roasted him, and that himself did eat a piece of
him, as big as his two fingers, and that he was very
good meat: But the Lord upheld my Spirit, under
this discouragement; and I considered their horrible
addictedness to lying, and that there is not one of them
that makes the least conscience of speaking of truth.
In this place, on a cold night, as I lay by the fire, I
removed a stick that kept the heat from me, a
Squaw moved it down again, at which I lookt up,
and she threw a handfull of ashes in a mine eyes; I
thought I should have been quite blinded, and
have never seen more: but lying down, the water
run out of my eyes, and carried the dirt with it,
that by the morning, I recovered my sight again.
Yet upon this, and the like occasions, I hope it is
not too much to say with Job, “Have pitty upon me,
have pitty upon me, O ye my Friends, for the Hand of C4v 34
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
heathens: 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 to think
that all my hopes of Restoration would come to nothing.
I thought of the English Army, and hoped
for their coming, and being taken by them, but
that failed. I hoped to be carried to Albany, as
the Indians had discoursed before, but that failed
also. I thought of being sold to my Husband, as
my master spake, but in stead of that, my master
himself was gone, and i left behind, so that my Spirit
was now quite ready to sink. I asked them to
let me 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: which many times i was
wont to find: So easie a thing it is with God to dry
up the Streames of Scripture-comfort from us. Yet
i can say, that in all my sorrows and afflictions, God
did not leave me to have my impatience work towards
himself, as if this wayes were unrighteous. But C5r 35
But I knew that he laid upon me less then i deserved
Afterward, before this dolefull time ended with
me, I was turning the leaves of my Bible, and the
Lord brought to me some Scriptures, which did a
little revive me, as that Isai. 55.8 “For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, neither are your wayes my ways
saith the Lord.” And also that, Psal. 37.5. “Commit
thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shal
bring it to pass.” About this time they came
yelping from Hadly, where they had killed three
English men, and brought one Captive with them,
viz. Thomas Read. They all gathered about the
poor Man, asking him many Questions. I 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 me,
they would not: He being a little cheared with
that, I asked him about the wel-fare of my Husband,
he told me he saw him such a time in the Bay,
and he was well, but very melancholly. By which
I certainly understood (though I suspected it before]
that whatsoever the Indians told me respecting him
was vanity and lies. Some of them told me, he
was dead, and they had killed him: some said he
was Married again, and that the Governor wished
him to Marry; and told him he should have
his choice, and that all perswaded I was dead. So
like were these barbarous creatures to him who
was a lyar from the beginning.

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

Hearing that my Son was come to this place, I
went to see him, and told him his Father was well,
but very melancholly: he told me he was as much
grieved for his Father as for himself; I wondred at
his speech, for I thought I had enough upon my
spirit in reference to my self, to make me mindless
of my Husband and every one else: they being safe
among their Friends. He told me also. that a while
before, his Master (together with other Indians)
where going to the French for Powder; but by the
way the Mohawks met with them, and killed four
of their Company which made the rest turn back
again, for which I desire that 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 John C6r 37
John Gilberd of Springfield I found him lying
without dores, 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 clothes: the young
man himself had nothing on, but his shirt & wastcoat.
This sight was enough to melt a heart of
flint. There they lay quivering in the Cold, the
youth round like a dog; the Papoos stretcht out,
with his eyes and nose and mouth full of dirt, and
yet alive, and groaning. i advised John to go and
get to some fire: he told me he could not stand,
but i perswaded him still, lest he should ly there
and die: and with much adoe 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 Pauls 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
him on the head: I told them, i had been seeing the C6v 38
the English Youth, and that I would not run away,
they told me I lyed, and taking up a Hatchet, they
came to me, and said they would knock me down
if I stirred out again; and so confined me to the
Wigwam. Now may I say with David, 2 Sam. 24.
14. “I am in a great strait.” If I keep in, I must dy
with hunger, and if I go out, I must be knockt in
head. This distressed condition held that day, and
half the next; And then the Lord remembred me,
whose mercyes are great. Then came an Indian to
me with a pair of stockings that were too big for
him, and he would have me ravel them out, and
knit them fit for him. I shewed my self willing,
and bid him ask my mistriss if I might go along
with him a little way; she said yes, I might, but I
was not a little refresht 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 and liberty
again to look into my Bible: Which was my
Guid by day, and my Pillow by night. Now that
comfortable Scripture presented itself to me, Isa. 54
7. “For a smal 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 C7r 39
might comb his head, and look over him, for he
was almost over come with lice. He told me,
when I had done, that he was very hungry, but I
had nothing to relieve him; but bid him go into
the Wigwams as he went along, and see if he could
get any thingthing among them. Which he did, and it
seemes tarried a little too long; for his Master was
angry with him, and beat him, and then sold him.
Then he came running to tell me he had a new Master.
and that he had given him some Groundnuts
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, & i
never saw him afterward. till i saw him at Pascataqua
in Portsmouth.

That night they bade me go out of the Wigwam
again: my Mistrisses Papoos was sick, and it died
that night, and there was one benefit in it, that there
was more room. I went to a Wigwam, and they
bade me come in, and gave me a skin to ly upon,
and a mess of Venson and Ground-nuts, which was
a choice of Dish among them. On the morrow they
buried the Papoos, and afterward, both morning
and evening, there came a company to mourn
and howle with her: though i confess, i could not
much console with them. Many sorrowfull
dayes i had in this place: often getting alone;
“like a Crane, or a Swallow so did I chatter: I did
mourn as a Dove, mine eyes fail with looking upward
Oh, Lord i am oppressed, undertake for me,” Isa. 38 14 I C7v 40
I could tell the Lord as Hezeckiah, ver. 3. “Remember
now O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked
before thee in truth.” Now had I time to examine alall
my wayes: my Conscience did not accuse me of
un-righteousness toward 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”: & I might say with the poor Publican,
“God be merciful unto me a sinner.” On the Sabbath-dayes,
I could look upon the Sun and think
how People were going to the house of God, to
have their Souls refresht; & then home, and their
bodies also: but I was destitute of both; & might
say as the poor Prodigal, “he would fain have filled
his belly with the husks that the Swine did eat, and no
man gave unto him”, Luke 15.16 For I must say
with him, “Father I have sinned against Heaven,
and in thy sight”, ver 21. I remembered how on the
night before & after the Sabbath, when my Family
was about me, and Relations and Neighbours
with us, we could pray and sing, and then refresh
our bodies with the good creatures of God; and
then have a comfortable Bed to ly down on: but
in stead of all this, I had only a little Swill for the
body, and then like a Swine, must ly down on the
ground. I cannot express to man the sorrow that
lay upon my Spirit, the Lord knows is. Yet that
comfortable Scripture would often come to my
mind, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but
with great mercies will I gather thee.”

The fourteenth Remove.

Now must we pack up and be gone from this
Thicket, bending our course toward the Bay-towns
I haveing nothing to eat by the way this day, but a
few crumbs of Cake, that an Indian gave my girls
the same day we were taken. She gave it me,
and I put it in my pocket: there it lay, till it was
so mouldy (for want of good baking) that one
could not tell what it was made of; it fell all to[Gap in transcription—2 charactersomitted]
crumbs, & grew so dry and hard, that it was like
little flints; & this refreshed me many times,
when I was ready to faint. It was in my thoughts
when I put it into my mouth; that if ever I 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, and yet I thought it very good. When night
came on we sate down; it rained, but they quickly
got up a Bark Wigwam, where I lay dry that
night. I looked out in the morning, and many of
them had line in the rain all night, I saw by their
Reaking. Thus the Lord dealt mercifully with
me many times, and I fared better than many of
them In the morning they took the blood of the
Deer and put it into the Paunch, and so boyled
it; I could eat nothing of that, though they ate it
[Gap in transcription—1 letterobscured]wettly. And yet they were so nice in other things, that C8v 42
that when I had fetcht Water, and had put the Dish
I dipt the water with, into the Kettle of water
which I brought, they would say, they would
knock me down; for they said, it was a sluttish
trick.

The fifteenth Remove.

We went on our Travel. I having got one
handfull of Ground-nuts, for my support that day
they gave me my load, and i went on cheerfully
[with the thoughts of going homeward] haveing
my burden more on my back than my spirit: we
came to Baquang River again that day, near which
we abode a few dayes Sometimes one of them
would give me a Pipe, another a little Tobacco,
another a little Salt: which I would change for a
little Victuals. I cannot but think what a
Wolvish appetite persons have in a starving
condition: for many times when they gave me
that which was hot, I was so greedy, that I should
burn my mouth, that it would trouble me hours 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, yet I was as unsatisfied as I was when I began.
And now could I see that Scripture verified
(there being many Scriptures which we do not take
notice of, or understand till we are affli&edafflicted) Mic.
6.14. “Thou shalt eat and not be satisfied.” Now
might I see more than ever before, the miseries that sin D1r 43
sin hath brought upon us: Many times I should be
ready to run out against the Heathen, but the Scripture
would quiet me again, Amos, 3.6. “Shal there
be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it?”
The Lord help me to make a right improvment of
His Word, and that I might learn that great lesson,
Mic. 6.8,9. “He hath shewed thee (Oh Man) what
is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to
do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with thy
God? Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”

The sixteenth Remove.

We began this Remove with wading over Baquag
River: the water was up to the knees, and the stream
very swift, and so cold that I thought it would have
cut me in sunder. i was so weak and feeble, that i
reeled as I went along, and thought there I must
end my dayes at last, after my bearing and getting
thorough so many difficulties; the Indians stood
laughing to see me staggering along: but in my
distress the Lord gave me experience of the truth,
and goodness of that promise, Isai. 43.2. “When
thou passest thorough the Waters, I will be with thee,
and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”
Then I sat down to put on my stockins and shoos,
with the teares running down mine eyes, and many
sorrowful thoughts in my heart, but I gat 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 D the D1v 44
the Council to the Saggamores, about redeeming
the Captives, and that there would be another in
fourteen dayes, and that I must be there ready. My
heart was so heavy before that I could scarce speak
or go in the path; and yet now so light, that I
could run. My strength seemed to come again, and
recruit my feeble knees, and aking heart: yet it
pleased them to go but one mile that night, and
there we stayed two dayes. In that time came a
company of Indians to us, near thirty, all on horseback.
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, their was a vast difference between the lovely
faces of Christians, and the foul looks of those
Heathens, which much damped my spirit again.

The seventeenth Remove.

A comfortable Remove it was to me, because of
my hopes. They gave me a pack, and along we
went chearfully; but quickly my will proved more
than my strength; having little or no refreshing
my strength failed me, and my spirit were almost
quite gone. Now may I say with David, Psal.
I 19.22,13,24. “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 locusts:
my knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh failetheth D2r 45
offainess.” At night we came to an Indian Town,
and the Indians sate 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, and when the feet
were old and dried, and they had nothing else, they
would cut off the feet and use them) I asked him
to give me a little of his Broth, or Water they were
boiling in; he took a dish, and gave me one spoonful
of Samp, and bid me take as much of the Broth
as I would. Then I put some of the hot water to
the Samp, and drank it up, and my spirit came again.
He gave me also a piece of the Ruff or Ridding
of the small Guts, and I broiled it on the coals;
and now may I say with Jonathan, “See, I pray you,
how mine eyes have been enlightened, because i tasted
a little of this honey”, 1 Sam. 14.29. Now is my
Spirit revived again, though means be never so inconsiderable,
yet if the Lord bestow his blessing upon
them, they shall refresh both Soul and Body:.

The eighteenth Remove.

We took up our packs and along we went, but a
wearisome day I had of it. As we went along I saw
an English-man stript naked, and lying dead upon
the ground, but knew not who it was. Then we
came to another Indian Town, where we stayed all
night. In this Town there were four English Children,
Captives; and one of them my own Sisters. D2 I D2v 46
I went to see how she did, and she was well, considering
her Captive-condition. I would have tarried
that night with her, but they that owned her
would not suffer it. Then I went into another Wigwam,
where they were boyling Corn and Beans,
which was a lovely sight to see, but I could not get
a taste thereof. Then I went to another Wigwam,
where there were two of the English Children; the
Squaw was boyling Horses feet, then she cut me
off a little piece, and gave one of the English 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 slabbering of it in the mouth and hand,
then I took it of the Child, and eat it my self, and
savoury it was to my taste. Then I may say as Job
Chap. 6.7. “The things that my soul refused to touch,
are as my sorrowful meat.” Thus the Lord made
that pleasant refreshing, which another time
would have been an abomination. Then I went
home to my mistresses Wigwam; and they told me
I disgraced my master with begging, and if I did so
any more, they would knock me in head: I told
them, they had as good knock me in head as starve
me to death.

The ninteenth Remove.

They said, when we went out, that we must travel
to Wachuset this day. But a bitter weary day I had
of it, travelling now three dayes together, without
resting any day between. At last, after many weary ry D3r 47
steps, I saw Wachuset hills, but many miles off.
Then we came to a great Swamp, through which
we travelled up to the knees, in mud and water,
which was heavy going to one tyred before. Being
almost spent, I thought I should have sunk
down at last, and never gat out; but I may say, as
in Psal. 94.18. “When my foot slipped, thy mercy, O
Lord held me up.” Going along, having indeed my
life, but little spirit, Philip, who was in the Company,
came up and took me by the hand, and said,
“Two weeks more and you shal be Mistress again.” I
asked him, if he spake true? he answered, “Yes,
and quickly you shal come to your master again;” who
had been gone from us three weeks. After many
weary steps we came to Wachuset, where he was:
and glad I was to see him. He asked me, “When I
washt me?” I told him not this month, then he fetcht
me some water himself, and bid me wash, and gave
me the Glass to see how i lookt; and bid his Squaw
give me something to eat: so she gave me a mess
of Beans and meat, and a little Ground-nut Cake.
I was wonderfully revived with this favour, shewed
me, Psal. 106.46 “He made them also to be pittied,
of all those that carried them Captives.”

My master had three Squaws, living sometimes
with one, and sometimes with another one, this old
Squaw, at whose 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; D3 bestow- D3v 48
bestowing every day in dressing her self neat as
much time as any of the Gentry of the land: powdering
her hair, and painting her face, going with
Neck-laces, with Jewels in her ears, and Bracelets
upon her hands: When she had dressed her self, her
work was to make Girdles of Wampom and Beads.
The third Squaw was a younger one, by whom he
had two Papooses. By that time I was refresht by
the old Squaw, with whom my master was, Wettimores
Maid came to call me home, at which I fell
a weeping. Then the old Squaw told me, to encourage
me, that if I wanted victuals, i should come
to her, and that i should ly there in her Wigwam.
Then i went with the maid, and quickly came again
and lodged there. The Squaw laid a Mat under me,
and a good Rugg over me; the first time I had
any such kindness shewed. I understood that
Wettimore thought, that if she should let me go and
serve with the old Squaw, she would be in danger
to loose, not only my service, but the redemption-
pay also. And i was not a little glad to hear
this; being by it raised in my hopes, that in Gods
due time there would be an end of this sorrowfull
hour. Then came an Indian, and asked me to knit
him three pair of Stockins, 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 D4r 49
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, & all my friends
and acquaintance? they said, “They are all very well
but melancholy.” They brought me two Biskets, and
a pound of Tobacco. The Tobacco i quickly gave
away; when it was all gone, one asked me to give
him a pipe of Tobacco, I told him it was all gone;
then began he to rant and threaten. I told him when
my Husband came I would give him some: “Hang
him Rogne” (sayes 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 send 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 then
to the master they served. When the Letter was
come, the Saggamores met to consult about the
Captives, and called me to them to enquire how
much my husband would give to redeem me, when
I came I sate down among them, as I was wont
to do, as their manner is: Then they bade me stand
up, and said, “they were the General Court. They
bid me speak what I thought he would give,” Now
knowing that all we had was destroyed by the Indians,
I was in a great strait: I thought if I should
speak of but a little, it would be slighted, and hinderder D4v 50
the matter; if of a great sum, I knew not where
itit would be procured: yet at a venture, I said
“Twenty pounds,” yet desired them to take less; but
they would not hear of that, but sent that message
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 Kings, 6. 25. “There
was a famine in Samaria, and behold they besieged it,
untill an Asses head was sold for four score pieces of
silver, and the fourth part of a Kab of Doves dung,
for five pieces of silver.” He expounded this place
to his brother, and shewed him that it was lawfull
to eat that in a Famine which is not at another
time. And now, sayes he, he will eat Horse with any
Indian of them all. There was another Praying-
Indian, who when he had done all the mischief that
he could, betrayed his own Father into the English
hands, thereby to purchase his own life. Another
Praying-Indian was at Sudbury-fight, though, as
he deserved, he was afterward hanged for it,
There was another Praying Indian, so wicked and
cruel, as to wear a string about his neck, strung
with Christians fingers. Another Praying-Indian,
when they went to Sudbury-fight, went with them,
and his Squaw also with him, with her Papoos at her back D5r 51
back: Before they went to that fight, they got a
company together to Powaw; the manner was as
followeth. There was one that kneeled upon a
Deer-skin, with the company round him in a ring
who kneeled, and striking upon the ground with
their hands, and with sticks; and muttering or
humming with their mouths, besides him who
kneeled in the ring, there also stood one with a
Gun in his hand: Then he one the Deer-skin made
a speech, and all manifested assent to it: and so
they did many times together. Then they bade
him with the Gun go out of the ring, which he did,
but when he was out, they called him in again; but
he seemed to make a stand, then they called the
more earnestly, till he returned again: Then they
all sang. Then they gave him two Guns, in either
hand one: And so he on the Deer-skin began again;
and at the end of every sentence in his speaking,
they all assented, humming or muttering with
their hands. Then they bade 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 whither he should stand or fall, or
which way to go. Then they called him with exceeding
great vehemency, all of them, one and another:
after a little while he turned in, staggering
as he went, with his Armes stretched out, in either D5v 52
either hand a Gun. As soon as he came in, they
all sang and rejoyced exceedingly a while. And then
he {Handwritten deletion: opened} end of handwritten deletion {Handwritten addition: ‸} end of handwritten addition {Handwritten addition: upon-} end of handwritten addition the Deer-skin, made another speech
unto which they assented in a rejoicing manner:
and so they ended their business, and forthwith
went to Sudbury-fight. To my thinking they went
without any scruple, but that they should prosper,
and gain the victory: And they went out not so
rejoycing, but they came home with as great a Victory.
For they said they had killed two Captains,
and almost an hundred men. One English-man
they brought along with them: and he said, it
was too true, for they had made sad work at 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 cars. Yet I could not perceive that
it was for their own loss of men: They said, they
had not lost 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 they should have a fall.
Whither it were so or no, I cannot tell, but so it
proved, for quickly they began to fall, and so held
on that Summer, till they came to utter ruine.
They came home on a Sabbath day, and the Powaw
that kneeled upon the Deer-skin came home (I
may say, without abuse) as black as the Devil. When D6r 53
When my master came home, he came to me and
bid me make a shirt for his Papoos, of a hollandlaced
Pillowbeer. About that time there came an
Indian to me and bid me come to his Wigwam, at
night, and he would give me some Pork & Ground
nuts. Which I did, and as I was eating, another
Indian said to me, he seems to be your good Friend,
but he killed two Englishmen at Sudbury, and there
ly their Cloaths behind you: I looked behind me,
and there I saw bloody Cloaths, with Bullet-holes
in them; yet the Lord suffered not this wretch to
do me any hurt; Yea, instead of that, he many
times refresht me: five or six times did he and his
Squaw refresh my feeble carcass. If I went to
their Wigwam at any time, they would alwayes
give me something, and yet they were strangers
that I never saw before. Another Squaw gave me
a piece of fresh Pork, and a little Salt with it, and
lent me her Pan to Fry it in; and I cannot but remember
what a sweet, pleasant and delightfull 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
hand 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 D6v 54
They would say now 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 the place where we now were:
and hearing that I was here, desired her master to
let her come and see me, and he was willing to
it, and would go with her: but she being ready
before him, told him she 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.
But the Lord requited many of their ill doings, for
this Indian her Master, was hanged afterward at
Boston. The Indians now began to come from all
quarters, against their merry dancing day. Among
some of them came one Goodwife Kettle: I told her
my heart was so heavey that it was ready to break:
so is mine too said she, but yet said, I hope we shall
hear some good news shortly. I could hear how
earnestly my Sister desired to see me, & I as earnestly
desired to see her: and yet neither of us could
get an opportunity. My Daughter was also now
about a mile off, and I had not seen her in nine or
ten weeks, as I had not seen my Sister since our first
taking. I earnestly desired them to let me go and
see them: yea, I intreated, begged, and perswaded
them, but to let me see my Daughter; and yet
so hard hearted were they, that they would not suffer D7r 55
suffer it. They made use of their tyrannical power
whilst they had it: but through the Lords wonderfull
mercy, their time was now but short.

On a Sabbath day, the Sun being about an hour
high in the afternoon; came Mr. John Hoar (the
Council permitting him, and his own foreward spirit
inclining him) together with the two forementioned
Indians, Tom and Peter with their third Letter from
the Council. When they came near, I was abroad.
though I saw them not, they presently called me in,
and bade me sit down and not stir. Then they catched
up their Guns, and away they ran, as if an Enemy
had been at hand; and the Guns went of apace
I manifested some great trouble, and they asked me
what was the matter? I told them, I thought they
had killed the English-man (for they had in the
mean time informed me that an English-man was
come) they said, “No”; They shot over his Horse
and under, and before his Horse; and they pusht
him this way and that way, at their pleasure:
shewing what they could do: Then they let them
come to their Wigwams. I begged of them to
let me see the English-man, but they would not.
But there was I fain to sit their pleasure. When
they had talked their fill with him, they suffered
me to go to him. We asked each other of
our welfare, and how my Husband did, and all
my Friends? He told me they were all well, and
would be glad to see me. Amongst other
things which my Husband sent me, there came a
pound of Tobacco: which I sold for nine shillings in Mony: D7v 56
Money: for many of the Indians for want of Tobacco,
smoaked Hemlock, and Ground-Ivy. it was
a great mistake in any, who thought I sent for
Tobacco: for through the favour of God, that desire
was overcome. I now asked them, whither I
should go home with Mr. Hoar? They answered
“No,” one and another of them: and it being night,
we lay down with that answer; in the morning,
Mr Hoar invited the Saggamores to Dinner; but
when we went to get it ready, we found that they
had stollen the greatest part of the Provision Mr.
Hoar had brought, our of his Bags, in the night:
And we may see the wonderfull power of God, in
that one passage, in that when there was such a great
number of the Indians together, and so greedy of a
little good food; and no English there, but Mr. Hoar
and my self: that there they did not knock us in the
head, and take what we had: there being not only
some Provision, but also Trading-cloth, a part of the
twenty pounds agreed upon: But instead of doing us
any mischief, they seemed to be ashamed of the fact,
and said, it were some Matchit Indian that did it.
Oh, that we could believe that there is no thing
too hard for God! God shewed his Power
over the Heathen in this, as he did over the hungry
Lyons when Daniel was cast into the Den. Mr.
Hoar called them betime to Dinner, but they ate
very little, they being so busie in dressing themselves,
and getting ready for their Dance: which
was carried one by eight of them; four Men and four D8r 57
four Squaws: My master and mistriss being two.
He was dressed in his Holland shirt, with great
Laces shewed at the tail of it, he had his silver Buttons,
his white Stockins, his Garters were hung
round with Shillings, and he had Girdles of Wampom
upon his head and shoulders. She had a Kersey
Coat, and coveted with Girdles of Wampom from
the Loins upward: her armes from her elbows to
her hands were covered with Bracelets; there were
handfulls of Neck-laces about her neck, and severall
sorts of Jewels in her ears. She had fine red
Stokins, and white Shoos, her hair powdered and
face painted Red, that was alwayes before Black.
And all the Dancers were after the same manner.
There were two other singing and knocking on a
Kettle for their musick. They keept hopping up
and down one after another, with a Kettle of 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. 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 James
the Printer, who told Mr. Hoar, that my Master
would let me go home to morrow, if he would let
him have one pint of Liquors. Then Mr. Hoar
called his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid
them go and see whither he would promise it beforefore D8v 58
them three: and if he would, he should have
it; which he did, and he had it. Then Philip smeling
the business cal’d me to him, and asked me what
I would give him, to tell me some good news, and
speak a good word for me, I told him, “I could not
tell what to give him, I would anything I had, and
asked him what he would have?” He said, two Coats
and twenty shillings in Mony, and half a bushel of
feed Corn, and some Tobacco. I thanked him for
his love: but I knew the good news as well as the
crafty Fox. My Master after he had had his drink,
quickly came ranting into the Wigwam again, and
called for Mr. Hoar, drinking to him, and saying,
“He was a good man”: and then again he would say,
“Hang him Rogue”: Being almost drunk, he would
drink to him, and yet presently say he should be
hanged. Then he called for me, I trembled to hear
him, yet I was fain to go to him, and he drank to
me, shewing no incivility. He was the first Indian
I saw drunk all the while that I was amongst them.
At last his Squaw ran out, and he after her, round
the Wigwam, with his mony jingling at his knees:
But she escaped him: But having an old Squaw he
ran to her: and so through the Lords mercy, we
were no more troubled 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 feares and troubles, God many
times leaving us most in the dark, when deliverancerance E1r 59
is nearest: yea, at this time I could not rest,
night nor day. The next night I was overjoyed,
Mr. Hoar being come, and that with such good tidings.
The third night I was even swallowed up
with the thoughts of things, viz. that ever I should
go home again; and that I must go, leaving my
Children behind me in the Wilderness; so that sleep
was now almost departed from mine eyes.

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

But before I go any further, I would take leave
to mention a few remarkable passages of providence,
which I took special notice of in my afflicted
time.

• I. Of the fair opportunity lost in the long March,
  a little after the Fort-fight, when our English Army
  was so numerous, and in pursuit of the Enemy, and
  so near as to take several and destroy them: and the
  Enemy in such distress for food, that our men might
  track them by their rooting in the earth for Ground-
  nuts, whilest they were flying for their lives. I say,
  that then our Army should want Provision, and be
  forced to leave their pursuit and return homeward:
  and the very next week the Enemy came upon our
  Town, like Bears bereft of their whelps, or so many
  ravenous Wolves, rending us and our Lambs to E death. E1v 60
  death. But what shall I say? God seemed to leave
  his People to themselves, and order 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 Joseph, therefore shal they go Captive,
  with the first that go Captive.” It is the Lords
  doing, and it should be marvelous in our eyes.

• 2. I cannot but remember how the Indians 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 will come in May, said
  they. Thus did they scoffe 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 to pursue
  after the enemy, & they understanding it: fled before
  them till they came to Baquaug River, where they
  forthwith went over safely: that the River should be
  impassable to the English. I can but admire to see
  the wonderfull providence of God in preserving
  the heathen for farther affliction to our poor Countrey.
  They could go in great numbers over, but
  the English must stop: God had an over-ruling
  hand in all those things.

• 4. It was thought, if their Corn were cut down,
  they would starve and dy with hunger: and all
  their Corn that could be found, was destroyed, and they E2r 61
  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 amongst
  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, die
  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.

  The chief and commonest food was Ground-nuts.
  They eat also Nuts and Acorns, Harty-choaks,
  Lilly roots, Ground-beans, and several other weeds
  and roots, that I know not.

  They would pick up old bones, and cut them to pieces
  at the joynts, and if they were full of wormes and
  magots, they would scald them over the fire to make
  the vermine come out, and then boils 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, and ears, and all sorts of wild Birds
  which they could catch: also Bear, Vennison, Beaver,
  Tortois, Frogs, Squirrels, Dogs, Skunks,
  Rattle-snakes; yea, the very Bark of Trees; besides
  all sorts of creatures, and provision which they
  plundered from the English. I can but stand in
  admiration to see the wonderful power of God, in
  providing for such a vast number of our Enemies E2 in E2v 62
  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 hearkned to me, and Israel
  had walked in my wayes, I should soon have subdued
  their Enemies, and turned my hand against their
  Adversaries.” But now our perverse and evil carriages
  in the sight of the Lord, have so offended
  him, that instead of turning his hand against them,
  the Lord feeds & nourishes them up to be a scourge
  to the whole Land.

• 5. Another thing that I would observe is, the
  strange providence of God in turning things about
  when the Indians was at the highest, and the English
  at the lowest. I was with the Enemy eleven weeks
  and five dayes, and not one Week passed without
  the fury of the Enemy, and some desolation by fire
  and sword upon one place or other. They mourned
  (with their black faces) for their own losses:
  yet triumphed and rejoyced in their inhumane, and
  many times 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 at such a place; and
  a Captain and his Company in such a place; and
  such a Captain and his Company in such a place:
  and boast how many Towns they had destroyed,
  and then scoffe, and say, “They had done them a good E3r 63
  good turn, to send them to Heaven so soon.” Again,
  they would say, “This Summer that they would
  knock all the Rogues in the head, or drive them into
  the Sea, or make them flee the Countrey”: thinking
  surely, Agag-like, “The bitterness of Death is
  past.” Now the Heathen begins to think all is their
  own, & the poor Christians hopes to sail (as to man)
  and now their eyes are more to God, and their
  hearts sight 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 though they had
  made a pit, in their own imaginations, as deep as
  hell for the Christians that Summer, yet the Lord
  hurll’d them selves into it. And the Lord had not
  so many wayes before to preserve them, but now
  he hath as many to destroy them.