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

1709.J QUEEN AN^^E'S FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 499
them, killing Wells and wounding Strong. Tlie English
fled, leaving the prisoner Moody, who was too weak to keep
up with them, to the tender mercies of the enemy. They
seized and burned him on the spot. John Burt disappeared
; he was lost in the woods and undoubtedly died of
hunger. Strong was able to traA^el, and the next day coming
to their canoes on White River, they retreated to
Hatfield, reaching that place on the 28*'' of May, having
been absent thirty-two days. The rear guard, left at the
mouth of the river, started for home six days after the rest
of the command left them. In tlie French account, it is
stated that two Indians were killed on the lake and one on
shore, and that four or five of the English were slain.
Bounty and Scalp Tliose wlio Were engaged in this expedition.
Money Granted, petitioned the General Court for pay and
scalp bounty money. They asserted that
four Indians had been killed on the lake, and presented one
scalp. They also declared to Col. Partridge, who forwarded
the paper, that they were sure of having killed four more
on Onion River, making eight in all. The court allowed
Capt. Wright £12, and £G each to the men. It is asserted
that they had a pocket compass to guide them through the
forest. These instruments were not in general use here at
that time, and were rarely employed in surveying till after
the commencement of the eighteenth century.
'Here am I send Duriug tliis sauic year an expedition for the
'"*'•" conquest of Canada and Nova Scotia was
undertaken by the colonies. The General
Court presented the matter to the home government, and
the enterprise was entered upon with spirit and determina-
tion. The Queen acquiesced in the proposition and soldiers
and ships were promised. This scheme was inaugurated
while Capt. Wright was engaged in the scout just recounted,
and on his return he endeavored to obtain employment
in that army. He offered his services to the government
in a short but characteristic letter, in which he
used the phrase at the head of this paragraph. But the
enterprise failed and nothing further is heard from him