d sent out
a foraging expedition upon Long Island. Kieft assumed that he saw
signs of hostility there. The unsuspecting savages were plundered of
two wagon loads of grain. These Indians, who had thus far been the
warmest friends of the Dutch, were now justly roused to the highest
pitch of indignation. They immediately made common cause with the
river tribes, who were almost frenzied with the desire to avenge the
midnight massacres of Pavonia and Manhattan. The storm which thus
burst upon New Netherland was sudden and awful. The savages, in their
rage, developed energy and power totally unanticipated.

Eleven tribes combined in the most furious and merciless attacks upon
the lonely farm-houses. Everywhere the war-whoop resounded, and the
plumed and painted savages emerged from swamps and thickets, and
assailed every unprotected dwelling. The farmer was shot in the field,
his dwelling burned, and his wife and children were thrown into the
flames. Many women and children, their lives being spared, were
carried into captivity worse than death. Houses, haystacks and
granaries were fired. Cattle were slain or driven off, and crops
destroyed.

Terror held high carnival. From the banks of the Raritan to the valley
of the Housatonic, over a region of hundreds of square miles, not a
plantation was safe. Men, women and children, haggard with hunger,
exposure and woe, fled from their deserted homes to fort Amsterdam.
Despairing of ever again finding peaceful residence in this new world,
with one voice they demanded a return to the fatherland. The Dutch
colonies were threatened with immediate and entire depopulation.

Kieft himself was terrified in view of the frightful storm he had
raised. He was compelled to enlist every able-bodied man as a soldier.
There was an end to all traffic, to all agriculture, to all the arts
of industry. Even the plantation of the humane DeVrees did not escape
the undiscriminating wrath of the savages. The outhouses, cattle and
crops were utterly destroyed. Quite a number of the terrified
colonists had taken refuge in the manor house which DeVrees had
prudently built very strong, and constructed with loopholes for
musketry.

The Indians were besieging the place, when one of their tribe came,
whom DeVrees had assisted to escape from the massacre at Manhattan. He
told the story of his escape and said that DeVrees was a good chief
whom they ought to respect. The Indians held a short consultation, and