f your land without paying for it. We
do not desire to have any more without making you full
compensation. Why then have you committed this murder,
burned our houses and killed our cattle? And why do you
continue to threaten our people?"

There was a long pause, as though the chiefs were meditating upon the
answer which should be made. Then one of them rose and, with great
deliberation and dignity of manner, said, "You Swannekins," for that
was the name they gave the Dutchmen,

"have sold our children drink. We cannot then control them,
or prevent them from fighting. This murder has not been
committed by any of our tribe, but by a Minnisinck, who now
skulks among the Haverstraws. 'Twas he who fired the two
houses and then fled. We have no malice. We do not wish to
fight. But we cannot control our young men after you have
sold them drink."

The best of the argument thus far, was manifestly with the Indians.
The irascible governor lost his temper. "If any of your young
savages," said he, "want to fight, let them come on. I will place man
against man. Nay, I will place twenty against forty of your hotheads.
It is not manly to threaten farmers and women and children who are not
warriors. If this be not stopped I shall be compelled to retaliate on
old and young, women and children. I expect of you that you will
repair all damages and seize the murderer if he come among you.

"The Dutch are now to live together in one spot. It is
desirable that you should sell us the whole of the Esopus
land and move farther into the interior. It is not well for
you to reside so near the Swannekins. Their cattle may eat
your corn and thus cause fresh disturbance."

The Council was closed with professions of friendship on both sides.
The Indians promised to take the suggestions of the governor into
careful consideration. The settlers also decided to adopt the counsel
of the governor. They agreed unanimously to form themselves into a
village, leaving it with Governor Stuyvesant to select the site. He
chose a spot at the bend of the creek, where three bides would be
surrounded by water. Two hundred and ten yards of palisades formed the
sufficient enclosure.

All hands now went to work energetically. While thus employed a band
of Indian warriors, in their most showy attire, was seen approaching.
It was feared that they were on the war path, and the soldiers
i