They being gone, Mr. Church by the help of his man Toby, (the Indian whom he had taken prisoner as he was going down to Sogkonate) took said Toby's mother, and those that were with her, prisoners.

Next morning the whole army moved back to Pocasset. This Toby informed them that there were a great many Indians gone down to Wepoiset* to eat clams; (other provisions being very scarce with them) that Philip himself was expected within three or four days at the same place. Being asked what Indians they were? he answered, "Some Weetamore's Indians; some Mounthope Indians; some Narraganset Indians; and some other upland Indians; in all, about three hundred."

The Rhodeisland boats, by the Major's order, meeting them at Pocasset, they were soon embarked. It being just in the dusk of the evening, they could plainly discover the enemies' fires at the place the Indian directed to, and the army concluded no other, but [that] they were bound directly thither, until they came to the north end of the island and heard the word of command for the boats to bear away.

Mr. Church was very fond of having this probable opportunity of surprising that whole company of Indians embraced; but orders, it was said must be obeyed, which were to go to Mounthope, and there to fight Philip.

This with some other good opportunities of doing spoil upon the enemy, being unhappily missed,† Mr. Church obtained the Major's consent to meet the Sogkonate Indians, according to his promise. He was offered a guard to Plymouth, but chose to go with one man only, who was a good pilot.

About sunset, he, with Sabing his pilot, mounted • In Swanzey.

†The cause of this ill timed manœuvre of the army must remain a mystery. ‡ July 20.

§ As this name does not occur any where else in this history, it is not probable that he served regularly in that capacity.

their horses at Rehoboth, where the army now was, and by two hours by sun next morning, arrived safe at Plymouth. And by that time they had refreshed themselves, the Governour and Treasurer* came to town. Mr. Church gave them a short account of the affairs of the army, &c. His honour was pleased to give him thanks for the good and great service he had done at Sogkonate; [and] told him, [that] he had confirmed all that he had promised Awashonks, and had sent the Indian back again that [had] brought his letter. He asked his honour whether he had any thing later from Awashonks? He told him [that] he had not. Whereupon he gave his honour an account of the Major's orders relating to her and hers, and what discourse had passed pro and con, about them; and that he had promised to meet them, and that he had encouraged them that he thought he might obtain of his honour a commission to lead them forth to fight Philip. His honour smilingly told him, that he should not want commission if he would accept it, nor yet good Englishmen enough to make up a good army.

But in short he told his honour [that] the time had expired that he had appointed to meet the Sogkonates at Sandwich. The Governour asked him when he would go? He told him, that afternoon by his honour's leave. The Governour asked him how many men he would have with him? He answered, not above half a dozen; with an order to take more at Sandwich, if he saw cause, and horses provided. He no sooner moved it, but had his number of men tendering to go with him; among [whom]1 were Mr. 1 [which]

* Mr. Southworth.

†This letter contained an answer to the account of his meeting Awashonks, before related, which was sent from the island by Peter.

They

Jabez Howland,* and Nathaniel Southworth. went to Sandwich that night, where Mr. Church (with need enough) took a nap of sleep. The next morning, with about sixteen or eighteen men, he proceeded as far as Agawom, where they had great expectation of meeting the Indians, but met them not. His men being discouraged, about half of them returned. Only half a dozen stuck by him, and promised so to do until they should meet with the Indians.

When they came to Sippican river, Mr. Howland began to tire, upon which Mr. Church left him and two more, for a reserve, at the river; that if he should meet with enemies, and be forced back, they might be ready to assist them in getting over the river. Proceeding in their march, they crossed another river, and opened a great bay,|| where they might see many miles along shore, where were sands and flats; and hearing a great noise below them, towards the sea, they dismounted their horses; left them, and creeped among the bushes, until they came near the bank, and saw a vast company of In

* Little more than the pages of this history furnish, am I able to communicate of the worthy Howland. More, but for the fatal winds, or more fatal flames of Courtstreet might have been told. He was a son of the venerable John Howland of Carver's family, (whose name is the 13th to that memorable instrument, or first foundation of government in Newengland, which may be seen in Appendix, III, with the other signers.) As I am informed by my worthy friend, Mr. Isaac Howland of Westport, who is also a descendant.

†This gentleman was with Mr. Church in his first and second expeditions to the eastward, as will be seen in those expeditions. I learn nothing more of him.

A small river in Rochester. Several places were known by this name. Our Plymouth fathers proposed to go to a place about twenty leagues to the northward, known to them by the name of Agawam, (now Ipswich.) Morton, 20.

§ (Rochester.)

|| Buzzard's bay.

dians, of all ages and sexes; some on horseback running races; some at football; some catching eels and flat fish in the water; some clamming, &c.; but, which way, with safety, to find out what Indians they were, they were at a loss.

But at length, retiring into a thicket, Mr. Church hallooed to them. They soon answered him, and a couple of smart young fellows, well mounted, came upon a full career to see whom it might be that called, and came just upon Mr. Church before they discovered him. But when they perceived themselves so near Englishmen, and armed, were much surprised; and tacked short about to run as fast back as they came forward, until one of the men in the bushes called to them, and told then his name was Church, and [they] need not fear his hurting of them. Upon which after a small pause, they turned about their norses, and came up to him. One of them that could speak English, Mr. Church took aside and examined; who informed him, that the Indians below were Awashonks and her company, and that Jack Havens was among them; whom Mr. Church immediately sent for to come to him, and ordered the messenger to inform Awashonks that he was come to meet her. Jack Havens soon came, and by that time Mr. Church had asked him a few questions, and had been satisfied by him, that it was Awashonks and her company that were below, and that Jack had been kindly treated by them, a company of Indians all mounted on horseback, and well armed, came riding up to Mr. Church, but treated him with all due respects. He then ordered Jack to go [and] tell Awashonks, that he designed to sup with her in the evening, and to lodge in her camp that night. Then taking some of the Indians with him, he went back to the river to take care of Mr. Howland.

Mr. Church having a mind to try what mettle he was made of, imparted his notion to the Indians that were with him, and gave them directions how to act

their parts. When he came pretty near the place, he and his Englishmen pretendedly fled, firing on their retreat towards the Indians that pursued them, and they firing as fast after them. Mr. Howland being upon his guard, hearing the guns, and by and by seeing the motion both of the English and Indians, concluded [that] his friends were distressed, and was soon on the full career on horseback to meet them; [when]' he [perceived] their laughing, [and] mistrusted the truth.

As soon as Mr. Church had given him the news, they hastened away to Awashonks. Upon their arrival, they were immediately conducted to a shelter open on one side whither Awashonks and her chiefs soon came, and paid their respects; and the multitudes gave shouts as made the heavens to ring.

It being now about sunsetting, or near the dusk of the evening, the Netops* came running from all quarters loaden with the tops of dry pines, and the like combustible matter, making a huge pile thereof, near Mr. Church's shelter, on the open side thereof. But by this time supper was brought in in three dishes; viz., a curious young bass in one dish; eels and flat fish in a second; and shell fish in a third. But neither bread nor salt to be seen at table. But by that time supper was over, the mighty pile of pine knots and tops, &c., was fired; and all the Indians, great and small, gathered in a ring round it, Awashonks, with the oldest of her people, men and women mixed, kneeling down, made the first ring next the fire; and all the lusty stout men, 2 [perceiving]

1 [until]

This name is used by our author, I suspect, in the same sense as other writers use that of sannop. See Winthrop's Journal, sub anno 1680, and Hubbard, Nar. 30, where it appears to be an Indian word employed by the sachems as a name for their men. The latter author spelt it sannap. Nipnet was a general name for all inland Indians between the Massachusetts and Connecticut river. Ibid. 15.

common