One of these, John Sassaman, who had been educated at Cambridge, where John Harvard had established a college, was a royal secretary to Philip.

Becoming acquainted with the plans of the sachem, he revealed them to the authorities at Plymouth.

For this he was murdered, and his murderers hanged.
Soon after the attack on Swansey, Philip left his place of residence and his territory to the English.

The following is the reason of his precipitate retreat.

Additional assistance being needed, the authorities of Boston sent out Major-General Savage from that place, with sixty horse and as many foot-soldiers, who scoured the country all the way to Mount Hope, where King Philip, his wife and child were supposed to be at that time.
Philip was at dinner when the news reached him of the near proximity of his enemies, and he rose with his family, officers and warriors and fled further up the country.