Forty-two persons took shelter in the house of Mary Rowlandson, the wife of the minister of the place.

It was set on fire by the Indians.

"Quickly," says Mrs.Rowlandson in her narrative, "it was the dolefullest day that ever mine eyes saw.

Now the dreadful hour had come.

Some in our house were fighting for their lives; others wallowing in blood; the house on fire over our heads, and the bloody heathen ready to knock us on the head if we stirred out.