about three in the afternoon
Hereupon we resolved to kill the first that came , to prevent discovery , and that too with our swords , and the butt end of our muskets , for fear the report of our guns should be heard . `` And so indeed , as we thought , it happened ; for three of the vanquished army crossing the creek , ran directly to the place , as to a thick wood for shelter ; nor was it long before our scout gave us notice of it : as also , that the victors did not think fit to pursue them . Upon this I would not suffer them to be slain , but had them surprised and taken by our party ; afterwards they proved very good servants to us , being stout young creatures , and able to do a great deal of work . The remainder of the conquered savages fled to their canoes , and put out into the ocean , while the conquerors , joining together , shouted by way of triumph , and about three in the afternoon they also embarked for their own nation . Thus we were freed at once from these savages and our fears , not perceiving any of these creatures for some considerable time after . We found two and thirty men dead in the field of battle ; some were slain with long arrows , which we found sticking in their bodies ; & the rest were killed with great unwieldy wooden swords , which denoted their vast strength , and of which we found seventeen , besides bows and arrows : but we could not find one wounded creature among them alive ; for they either kill their enemies quite , or carry those wounded away with them . `` This terrible fight tamed the Englishmen for some time , considering how unfortunate they might have been had they fallen into their hands , who would not only kill them as enemies , but also for food , as we do cattle ; and indeed so much did this nauseate their stomachs , that it not only made them very sick , but more tractable to the common necessary business of the whole society , planting , sowing , and reaping , with the greatest signs of amity and friendship ; so , that being now all good friends , we began to consider of circumstances in general ; and the first thing we thought of was , whether , as we perceived the savages haunted that side of the island , and there being more retired parts of it , and yet as well suited to our manner of living , and equally to our advantage , we ought not rather to move our place of residence , & plant it in a much safer place , both for the security of our corn and cattle .