The horrors of intercolonial war were now beginning. As soon as the declaration of war between France and England was known, Count Fontenac, who had but lately arrived in Canada—a man of extraordinary capacity and energy of character, although approaching seventy years of age—prepared to visit, upon the English frontier, some of the miseries which Canada herself had so lately suffered from the hands of the Five Nations. Three several expeditions were planned, all of which were successful. The war-parties consisted principally of converted Indians, chiefly Mohawks; the fruits of the self-denying perseverance of the French missionaries being made use of for the most barbarous purposes. Religious zeal was added to native ferocity; the English were represented not only as enemies but as heretics, to destroy whom it was their duty as Christians, and their glory as soldiers. In January, 1690, whilst the province of New York was convulsed by internal tumults, one of these war-parties, advancing in single file through the deep snow, a track being made by the snow-shoes of the foremost, arrived at Schenactady, a Dutch village on the Mohawk, after twenty-two days’ march. It was midnight, and the inhabitants were asleep, fearless of danger, when at once the awful war-whoop roused them, and the most dreadful scenes of murder, fire and devastation succeeded. Sixty lay dead in the street; seven-and-twenty were taken prisoners; the rest, half naked, fled towards Albany amid driving snow, some perishing by the way, others losing their limbs by the intensity of the cold. The terror of this attack decided the party who held it to give up Albany to Leisler. The whole of the following summer was spent in fruitless preparation and attempts, in conjunction with Connecticut, to protect their frontiers, and invade Canada; but all ended in unsuccess, and distrust and confusion prevailed throughout the miserable province. In January of 1691, Richard Ingoldsby arrived from England with a commission as captain, and announcing the speedy arrival of Colonel Sloughter as governor. He demanded possession of the fort, but not producing any order from the king, nor yet from the expected governor to that purpose, Leisler refused to yield, promising him courteously, at the same time, aid as a military officer. Ingoldsby, angry at opposition, and supported by the enemies of Leisler, proceeded to land his troops, at the same time denouncing Leisler and his garrison as traitors. The passions of the militia were roused, and, greatly to the grief and dismay of Leisler, shots were fired, by which several lives were lost.