Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

On February 10, 1676, the settlement of Lancaster, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was attacked by Native Americans. Native Americans set houses on fire and opened fire on British settlers, killing several and injuring more. They took many of the survivors captive, including Mary Rowlandson and her three children. Mary and her youngest son are among the wounded, while others in her family, including her brother-in-law, are killed. Native Americans take survivors captured from their settlement to the desert. Rowlandson and her youngest daughter, Sarah, can stay together, but their two elders, Joseph and Mary, are separated. After spending a night in a nearby town, the Native Americans with their captives venture into the desert. When injured, the trip is difficult for Rowlandson and his daughter. They arrive at an Indian settlement called Wenimesset, where Rowlandson meets another captive named Robert Pepper who tries to help the new captives. After staying in Wenimesset for about a week, Rowlandson's injured daughter, Sarah, dies. Rowlandson is sold to another Indian who is related to King Philip by marriage. The dead daughter of Rowlandson is buried, and she is allowed to visit her eldest daughter, Mary, who is also detained in Wenimesset, and her eldest son, who is allowed to visit from a nearby Indian settlement. The Indians give Rowlandson a Bible in which he finds great hope. After attacking another city, the Native Americans decide to go north, and Rowlandson separates again from his family and from the "friends" she has created. Native Americans, along with Rowlandson, began to move quickly through the forest, as the British Army was nearby. They reach the Baquaug River and cross it with the British soldiers behind. However, the British can not cross, and Rowlandson and the Indians continue to the northwest. They arrive at the Connecticut River and plan to meet King Philip, but the English explorers are present so they must disperse and hide.