68 HISTORY OF field still more precarious ; and accordingly in J uly, the month immediately following, it was deemed advisable that all except the male able-bodied part of the inhabitants, who were to remain for a time to harvest their crops and protect their homes, should evacuate the settlement. Some went to Cherry Yalley, where they had friends and relatives, but the larger portion decamped to Schoharie, distant about twenty miles, at which place three forts were afterward erected and garri- soned. From Schoharie a number of them removed to the places of their former residences in the Eastern States, and among this number were the female portion of the Harper family, who returned to East Windsor, in Connecticut, where they remained until after the war had terminated. Among those who left about this time and sought safety in the more populous sections of the country, were John More and his family, consisting of a wife and four small children. Although a member of the association, so precipitate had been the retreat of the inhabitants from Harpersfield, that he^ living as he did in a remote part of the town, remained unin- formed of their retreat, until made aware of the fact by a visit from a friendly Indian chief, with whom he had been familiar before the war, and who with his men had frequently partaken of their hospitality before the commencement of hostilities, while on hunting excursions in that vicinity. To this chief,_ although he was known to be avowedly in favor of the king's cause, the sturdy Scotchman unfolded his situation : he hardly knew what course to pursue, or what expedient to adopt. He had considerable property, and it seemed almost an impossi- bility for him to move. The Indian listened attentively to his story, and in reply to the inquiry, if he thought his family would be safe where they were? replied : I am tliy friend y and so long as I am with you not a hair of your head shall he injured ; hut I cannot always he with the men myself and I therefore ad vise you to go. This advice was immediately ■
