[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1872)] In February of that year a party of eighty Mahicans, " each with a musket on his shoulder," made a descent on some of the old Manhattan chieftaincies, for the purpose of collecting tribute which had been withheld.1 Surprised, and wholly unable from inferiority in arms to cope with their adver saries, the assailed Indians fled to Fort Amsterdam for protec tion, leaving seventeen of their number dead and a considerable portion of their women and children prisoners in the hands of their enemies. The Dutch kindly cared for the fugitives and supported them for fourteen days; but, again alarmed for their safety, they scattered themselves among the Hackinsacks and Tappans, while others fled to Vriesendael to beg assistance and protection. De Vries promised to do all in his power for them, and accordingly went, in a canoe, through the floating ice, to Fort Amsterdam, to ask Kieft to assist him with some soldiers. The director, however, claimed that he had none to spare; and the next day the Indians left Vriesendael, some going to 1 Brodhead and others assert that this sis that the Mahicans would not attack foray was by Mohawks. The document-those regarded as their own people, and ary proof, however, is that it was made.that the Mohawks alone were armed, by the Mahicans. " The Mahican In-The fact distinctly appears, however, that dians, who, surprising, slew full seventy not only were the Mahicans armed, but of them" — Colonial History, i, 151.