History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1676.] KING Philip's ^yar— mrs. rowlandsox's story, 297
armed, read}' to renew the warfare. ^ Tliey also stated that
the Indians at the rendezvous *
' in a vapouring manner, de-
clared that their intent was first, to destroy Connecticnt in
the spring, then Boston in the harvest, and afterwards the
Dnteh (meaning what the Dutch had here-).''
Philip not seen by Philip was uot Seen by the returned scouts,
the Scouts. Undoubtedly he was present at the assem-
bly and participated in its deliberations.
His reported visit to Canada seems to have been partially
successful,, as the captives saw about five hundred Canada
Indians at the rendezvous. From this time till within a
few days of his death. Philip was with the Indians in the
Connecticut valley. There is no evidence that he actually
took part in any of the encounters, or that he planned any
of the raids. He seems to have been an agitator rather
than a fighter.
The Plan of Cam- The first esseutial in the approaching campaign.
Supplies paign, an attempt to intimidate their ene-
of all kinds very . , ,
scarce.
mies by reports concernmg their military
. .i • -t,
resources, had been carried out. Their intention
was apparently to establish a camp at a point where
their non-combatants could rest secure and obtain food for
their future subsistence, while their fighting men vigorously
attacked the settlements on the river. Their present
necessities were great, provisions were scarce and starva-
tion imminent. But there was another equally pressing
need. Their sup^Dly of ammunition was nearly exhausted,
and before hostilities could be renewed, more must be ob-
tained. An attempt to exchange j)risoners captured at
Lancaster for powder in Canada, failed. But negotiations
1 One of the returned scouts reported that • he came up to an Indian Rendezvous
made by a mighty Sachem near Hoosick river, towards Canada, where one of them
told one and twenty hundred men. compleat: and the Indians themselves drawing
out into three ranks (that he might view them better) made him tell them over three
times: who he said were generally well armed, with good fire arms—and most of
them young men: few so old as forty. And that amongst them were about 500 of
those with straws about their noses, commonly called French Indians. That neither
King Philip, nor that party, consisting of about four hundred, were with them, and
that the said Philip's own men were not above one hundred; himself being very
sickly and having but little authority or esteem among them."—Present State of
New England. Mei'chant of Boston, p. 236.
2 Ibid. p. 227.