next night I was overjoyed, Mr. Hoar being come, and that with
such good tidings. The third night I was even swallowed up with
the thoughts of things, viz. that ever I should go home again;
and that I must go, leaving my children behind me in the
wilderness; so that sleep was now almost departed from mine
eyes.

On Tuesday morning they called their general court (as they call
it) to consult and determine, whether I should go home or no.
And they all as one man did seemingly consent to it, that I
should go home; except Philip, who would not come among them.

But before I go any further, I would take leave to mention a few
remarkable passages of providence, which I took special notice
of in my afflicted time.

1. Of the fair opportunity lost in the long march, a little
after the fort fight, when our English army was so numerous, and
in pursuit of the enemy, and so near as to take several and
destroy them, and the enemy in such distress for food that our
men might track them by their rooting in the earth for ground
nuts, whilst they were flying for their lives. I say, that then
our army should want provision, and be forced to leave their
pursuit and return homeward; and the very next week the enemy
came upon our town, like bears bereft of their whelps, or so
many ravenous wolves, rending us and our lambs to death. But
what shall I say? God seemed to leave his People to themselves,
and order all things for His own holy ends. Shall there be evil
in the City and the Lord hath not done it? They are not grieved
for the affliction of Joseph, therefore shall they go captive,