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

CHAPTER II.
FATHKR RALE S WAR.
Another War Cloud After ail interval of peace, lasting some-
Darkens the Horitiling
less than ten years, another Indian
war broke out in the eastern section of the
colony. During that brief period the towns scattered along
the banks of the Connecticut, recovered from the disasters
of former conflicts, and became thrifty and prosperous.
The twice abandoned town of Northfield had been permanently
reoccupied, Deerfield had greatly increased in wealth
and population, and a new settlement had been commenced
at Swampfield (Sunderland).
England and France
The fourtli couflict witli the Indians, known
not e n g a g e d 1 n as Father Rale's war, was not an international
conflict. In it England and France
took no active part. Massachusetts and New Hampshire
only were engaged in hostilities with the tribes inhabiting
what is now the State of Maine. The Indians with whom
it was waged, while not", openly aided by the French in
Canada, were secretly encouraged by the government of
that country. Though active hostilities were in progress
but four years, and though the principal battle-ground was
in the far eastern section of the province, there was uni-
versal alarm along the western frontier, and the valley
towns were in a state of constant trepidation. While little
actual bloodshed occurred in this section, there were occasional
inroads, and uninterrupted vigilance and circum-
spection were demanded. Anything more than a brief
summary of the causes which led to the rupture is unnecessary
in this connection.
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