Our Commons were
very short, there being a general scarcity throughout the Colony of all sorts of
Provision, it being upon our first Arrival at the Place. We had but one Pint of
strong Liquors among us in our whole March, but what the Wilderness afforded;
(the Bottle of Liquor being in my Hand.) and when it was empty, the very
smelling to the Bottle would presently recover such as Fainted away, which
happened by the extremity of the Heat: And thus we Marched on in an uncoath and
unknown Path to the English, though much frequented by Indians. And was not the
Finger of God in all this?
By his special Providence to lead us along in the Way we should go: Nay though
we knew not where their Forts were, how far it was to them, nor the Way that led
to them, but by what we had from our Indian Guides; whom we could not confide
in, but looked at them as uncertain: And yet notwithstanding all our Doubts, we
should be brought on the very fittest Season; nay and which is yet more, that we
should be carried in our March among a treacherous and perfidious People, yea in
our allodgment so near the Enemy, all Night in so populous a Country, and not
the least notice of us; seemeth somewhat strange, and more than ordinary: Nay
that we should come to their very Doors: What shall I say: God was pleased to
hide us in the Hollow of his Hand; I still remember a Speech of Mr. Hooker at
our going aboard; That they should be Bread for us. And thus when the Lord
turned the Captivity of his People, and turned the Wheel upon their Enemies; we
were like Men in a Dream; then was our Mouth filled with Laughter, and our
Tongues with Singing; thus we may say the Lord hath done great Things for us
among the Heathen, whereof we are glad. Praise ye the Lord!
I shall mention two
or three special Providences that God was pleased to vouchsafe to Particular
Men; viz. two Men, being one Man's Servants, namely, John Dier and Thomas
Stiles, were both of them Shot in the Knots of their Handkerchiefs, being about
their Necks, and received no Hurt. Lieutenant Seeley was Shot in the Eyebrow
with a flat headed Arrow, the Point turning downwards: I pulled it out Lieutenant Bull had
an Arrow Shot into a hard piece of Cheese, having no other Defence: Which may
verify the old Saying, A little Armour would serve if a Man knew where to place
it. Many such Providences happened; some respecting my self; but since there is
none that Witness to them, I shall forbear to mention them.
The Year ensuing,
the Colony being in extream Want of Provision, many giving twelve Shillings for
one Bushel of Indian Corn; the Court of Connecticut imploying Captain Mason, Mr.
William Wadsworth and Deacon Stebbin, to try what Providence would afford, for
their Relief in this great Straight: Who notwithstanding some discouragement
they met with from some English, went to a Place called Pocomtuck:* [* Since called Deerfield.] where they
procured so much Corn at reasonable Rates, that the Indians brought down to
Hartford and Windsor, Fifty Canoes laden with Corn at one time. Never was the
like known to this Day! So although the Lord was pleased to shew his People hard
Things; yet did he execute Judgment for the Oppressed, and gave Food to the
Hungry. O let us meditate on the Great Works of God: Ascribing all Blessing and
Praise to his Great Name, for all his Great Goodness and Salvation! Amen,
Amen.
