1604.] ATTACK AT OYSTER RIVER. 365 



skins with the unsuspecting soldiers, he strolled 

 about the neighborhood and made a plan of the 

 works. The party was soon after joined by Bigot's 

 Indians, and the united force now amounted to two 

 hundred and thirty. They held a council to deter- 

 mine where they should make their attack, but 

 opinions differed. Some were for the places west 

 of Boston, and others for those nearer at hand. 

 Necessity decided them. Their provisions were gone, 

 and Villieu says that he himself was dying of hun- 

 ger. They therefore resolved to strike at the 

 nearest settlement, that of Oyster River, now Dur- 

 ham, about twelve miles from Portsmouth. They 

 cautiously moved forward, and sent scouts in ad- 

 vance, who reported that the inhabitants kept no 

 watch. In fact, a messenger from Phips had as- 

 sured them that the war was over, and that they 

 could follow their usual vocations without fear. 



Villieu and his band waited till night, and then 

 made their approach. There was a small village ; 

 a church ; a mill ; twelve fortified houses, occupied 

 in most cases only by families ; and many unpro- 

 tected farm-houses, extending several miles along 

 the stream. The Indians separated into bands, and, 

 stationing themselves for a simultaneous attack at 

 numerous points, lay patiently waiting till towards 

 day. The moon was still bright when the first 

 shot gave the signal, and the slaughter began. 

 The two palisaded houses of Adams and Drew, 

 without garrisons, were taken immediately, and the 

 families butchered. Those of Edgerly, Beard, and 

 Medar were abandoned, and most of the inmates 



