if possible.   The warning was very short, yet we obtained from Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield about forty smart lads and sent to Bridgewater that night, but have not as yet heard of, or from them.   They knew of your intended march, and if they miss of those Indians they may very probably meet with yours to range toward Seconet.   Mr. Church will inform you what I have written to Rhode Island."   There was also a skirmish with the enemy near the great river in the south part of the town.   July 31, 1676, when some of Philip's "special friends" were killed, and among others his uncle, who fell by his side.   Had the soldier known "which had been the right bird," as Hubbard says in his narrative, Philip himself might have fallen, and the war thus have been brought to a more speedy and less disastrous result; but "the cunning fox escaped them for that time."   John Ames and Nicholas Byram are said to have distinguished themselves on that occasion.

   Capt.Church joined them the next day and pursued the enemy till the 3d of August, when, "having no provision but what they took from the enemy, they hastened to Bridgewater, sending an express before to provide for them, their company being now very numerous, having killed and taken one hundred and seventy-three.   The gentlemen of Bridgewater met Capt. Church with great expressions of honor and thanks, and received him and his army with all due respect and kind treatment."   The prisoners were conveyed into the town pound at night, and An Indian guard set over them.   "They were well treated with victuals and drink, and had a merry night; and the prisoners laughed as loud as the soldiers, not having been so well treated before for a long time."   The next day Capt. Church arrived safe at Plymouth with all his prisoners.

   Amidst danger, and often actually assaulted in their dwellings, it is remarkable that during the whole of that war, in which from time to time great numbers were engaged, not one of the inhabitants of Bridgewater were killed.   All the narratives of that conflict speak of the town as fortunate and highly favored in this respect, while they unite in ascribing to the inhabitants high praise for their courage and activity in the service.   John Snell, who was killed at the Isle aux Noix on Lake Champlain in the French war in 1760, was the first inhabitant of the town