ndustry had been very successfully employed.
Quite a crowded population filled the houses, within the palisades,
and the rapidly increasing numbers had rendered it necessary to
commence another village, which was called Wildwyck, on a fertile
plain at a little distance from the fort. Under the blessings of
peace, wealth had increased. The church numbered sixty members. Most
of the garrison had been withdrawn as no longer needed.

But the Indians could not forget their brethren sent to life-long
slavery at Curacoa. It was increasingly evident that the peace, into
which they had entered, was not cordial. It was a compulsory peace. An
unendurable outrage had driven them into the war. And by the terms of
peace, while they had been compelled to return all the captives they
held, fifteen of their warriors were doomed to perpetual slavery.

Murmurings were heard which foreboded an outbreak. Some of the
settlers became alarmed and communicated their fears to Governor
Stuyvesant. He sent word that he would soon visit Esopus, to
investigate the state of affairs. The Indian chiefs, hearing of this,
returned the message, that if he were coming to renew their treaty of
friendship they should expect him to come unarmed and they would be
happy to meet him in council, according to their custom, in the open
field outside of the gate.

It was a pleasant morning of the 7th of June. The governor had not yet
arrived. The settlers, thrown off their guard by the friendly message
which the chiefs had returned, were scattered about in the fields
engaged in their daily avocations. Between eleven and twelve o'clock
at noon, an unusual number of savages spread themselves through the
villages and entered the dwellings. They were apparently, as usual,
entirely unarmed, though it afterwards appeared that they had
concealed weapons. They brought corn, beans, and other trifling
articles for sale.

Suddenly the war-whoop was uttered from one savage throat as a signal,
and was instantly re-echoed by a hundred others. Tomahawks and knives
and battle-axes gleamed in the air, and the work of extermination was
instantly and energetically commenced. The settlers were taken
entirely by surprise. Every Indian had marked his man. Neither women
nor children were spared. Those who could not easily be captured were
struck down. Many of the Indians speedily regained their guns which
they had concealed in the grass. Houses were plundered and set on
fire.

But