The neck of land on which Philip was now penned up
was about seven miles in length, a great part covered by
a thick and almost impenetrable swamp, and an attack
was exceedingly difficult and dangerous ; the English
' therefore resolved to starve him out, and for this purpose
they began a fort, ^nd kept a vigilant eye upon his move-
ments. Philip was not inattentive to the plan of his
enemy, and he readily perceived that an attempt to
maintain his position would be destruction. Ready in
resources, he contrived means to relieve himself; seizing
the advantage which the darkness of night presented, he
constructed rafts of timber — crossed the arm of the sea
extending up towards Taunton river, and eluding his en-
emy, crossed and fled towards the Nipmucks, who stood
ready to receive him. About one hundred women and
children left on the neck, were taken by the English.*

Philip's escape was discovered the next morning, by
some people at Rehobotb, by the trail he had made
through the woods, and a party from that place, joined
by some Mohegan Indians, commenced a pursuit, and
coming up with him in the night, attacked and took
about thirty of his men. Captai;i Henchman with a small
force, proceeded by water to Providence, near which he
struck Philip's trail, and also commenced a pursuit, but
did not come up until the attack of the Rehoboth party
was over. He however, the next day, with the Mohe-
gans, continued the pursuit, and pressed on until his pro^
visions were nearly expended, but was not able to come
up with the wily chief. The Mohegans soon returned to
their country^ and Henchman led his troops to Boston.
