We offer our services, and urge that united parties of soldiers and civilians assail them at several points." These views were in entire harmony with the wishes of the sanguinary Kieft.

He was delighted with the prospect of a war in which victory seemed easy and certain.

Disregarding the remonstrances of DeVrees, and of the Christian minister Bogardus, he made efficient preparation for the slaughter of the helpless savages.
He sent his secretary and a military officer across the river to reconnoitre the position of the Indians.

There were two bands of these trembling fugitives, one at Pavonia, on the Jersey side of the river, and one at Corlaer's Hook, on the Island of Manhattan, just above fort Amsterdam.

Secretly, at midnight of the 25th of February, 1643, the armed bands advanced against their unsuspecting victims.