The first attempt to slay Uncas was made in the spring of 1643. The criminal caused only a slight wound, when he fled to the Narragansetts, telling every one he had slain Uncas. Learning after a time his mistake, he said that Uncas had made the wound himself and then told the story of the Pequot shooting him. A probing of the affair by the authorities at Boston removed all doubt of the guilt of the man who had been delivered to the court by Miantonomah himself. This chief removed all suspicion of his part in the matter, and the prisoner having been turned over to him at his request, he slew him with his own hand. Almost at the same time, a sachem on the Connecticut killed a leading Mohegan, and, waylaying Uncas, shot several arrows at him. Uncas complained to the governor and court of the colony, who tried without success to settle the affair. The criminal refused to express regret, and insisted that Uncas should fight him. Uncas accepted the challenge and invaded the territory of the other to whom he gave a severe defeat. There seems little doubt that Miantonomah prompted both of these attempts at assassination. The baffled sachem was an ally, and the Narragansett set on foot a campaign against Uncas, hoping to strike his blow before the Mohegan could prepare for it. The spies of Uncas warned him of his danger, and he hurriedly gathered several hundred warriors to meet the invaders that were twice as numerous. In order to save his villages the Mohegan marched out several miles toward the Narragansetts. When they were face to face, he called to Miantonomah. "You have a good many brave warriors, so have I; it is a pity that these men should lose their lives because of a quarrel that is only between you and me; if you are as much of a man as you claim to be, you will come forward, and we will fight it out between ourselves; if you slay me, my men shall be yours; if I slay you, your men shall be mine." This challenge was not only a brave one, but it was cunning, for, if accepted, it would make the conflict equal by holding it to two leaders. Rather it would give Uncas a marked advantage, since he was of unusual size and strength. Miantonomah was too wise to throw away his opportunity. "My warriors have come a long distance to fight," he replied, "and they shall not go home without a fight." It was the answer that Uncas expected and for which he was ready. The words were hardly spoken, when Uncas dropped like a flash to the ground. At the same instant his men launched a shower of arrows over his body, uttered a series of shouts, and rushed like a whirlwind upon the Narragansetts.