CHAPTER III.

Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians and loyalists--The Visschers--The route of Sir John--Arrest of the Sammons family--Destruction of their property--March along the river--Burning of buildings, and murders of aged people--Destruction of Caughnawaga--Return to Johnson Hall--Proceedings there--Thomas Sammons escapes--Sir John moves off--Sampson Sammons applies for his liberty--His speech--The object of the expedition--Recovery of the Baronet's plate--A faithful slave--Character of the expedition--Sir John returns to Montreal--Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into captivity--Imprisoned at Chamblee--Conspiracy to escape--Prisoners refuse to join them--The brothers escape alone--The pursuit-- Separation--Journey, adventures and sufferings of Jacob Sammons--Arrives at Schenectady--The narrative returns to Frederick--Perils of his escape--Prosperous commencement of his journey--Dreadful sickness--His recapture--Confined in irons at Chamblee--Removed to an Island--Projects an escape--Plot discovered--Ironed again--Second plan of escape--Perilous leap into the St Lawrence--Swimming the Rapids--Other surprising adventures, by flood and field--Crossing the woods to Schenectady--Remarkable fulfillment of a dream--Direct history of the Mohawk country resumed--Destruction of Canajoharie by the Indians--Conduct of Brant--Case of doubtful courage.

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