The Narragansetts, to the number of more than three thousand, were gathered in an immense swamp at South Kingston, Rhode Island. Philip was there and meant to stay through the winter. The stronghold was one of the largest of its kind ever known on this continent, including fully five hundred wigwams, and covering three or four acres in the form of an island, which was surrounded by strong palisades on every side. The only path leading to the fort was a narrow footbridge of logs. Here enough food was collected to last the multitude of Indians until spring. The weather was very cold, and snow lay to the depth of two or three feet on the level. In these circumstances, the Narragansetts did not believe they were in any danger of molestation. It was a difficult and dangerous task that the soldiers had laid out for themselves, for the Indians could be counted upon to make a desperate resistance, and there were enough of them behind those intrenchments to give their assailants all and quite possibly more than they could do. The soldiers were so ill-supplied with food that, despite the bad weather, they dared not wait. From a captured prisoner, Governor Winslow had learned of the single approach to the stronghold. The footbridge was so narrow that two men could not walk abreast. The first arrivals started on a run across the support, but were shot down the moment they came within range. Others took their places only to fall in turn. When six captains and a large number of privates had been swept away, those behind them fell back, and it looked as if the whole force was checked. But Captain Mosely, whom a singular good fortune seemed always to attend, had managed by some means to get within the fort at the rear with a handful of men, and all were fighting hand to hand against overwhelming odds. Their shouts brought others to their side, and by almost superhuman efforts, the Indians were driven from their main stronghold. Men, women and children ran in terror from wigwam to wigwam, chased by men as merciless as they, who spared none. In the assault at the rear, Captain Benjamin Church was wounded three times. He kept on fighting, and wished to save the wigwams with their valuable supplies, but the torch was applied, and the immense stronghold became a roaring conflagration. [Illustration: INDIAN VILLAGE ENCLOSED WITH PALISADES] Driven into the open, the Indians fought with the same fierce bravery as at first, and inflicted great loss upon the troops. But they were forced from the fort, which was now in possession of their enemies. Of the Indians, more than seven hundred were slain, while eighty of the English were killed and a hundred and fifty wounded.