The Pine-tree coast . at the falls, while the old remained at a standstill, must be attributed. It is well known that a single enterprising settler and trader namedWilliam Phillips had established himself at the falls of the Saco some yearsbefore the breaking out of King Philips War, and had built a saw and gristmill His dwelling was built with an eye to defence; for he was in alonely situation, and knew he could have no resource except in the thickness ofhis walls, should the Indians at any time declare war. His nearest neighbor,not a very desirable one at the best, lived half a mile
The Pine-tree coast . at the falls, while the old remained at a standstill, must be attributed. It is well known that a single enterprising settler and trader namedWilliam Phillips had established himself at the falls of the Saco some yearsbefore the breaking out of King Philips War, and had built a saw and gristmill His dwelling was built with an eye to defence; for he was in alonely situation, and knew he could have no resource except in the thickness ofhis walls, should the Indians at any time declare war. His nearest neighbor,not a very desirable one at the best, lived half a mile lower down the river, onthe opposite or eastern side. This was one John Bonython,8 a man of so stubborn and intractable a spirit, so much of an Indian, in fact, that his neighbors had dubbed him the Sagamore of Saco. Bonython had a hint given him to look to himself, as the river Indians were about to fall on the settlers unawares. He took the alarm and fled to Phillips garrison in time to see his own house in ROAD TO BIDDEFORD. men thenstood to their arms,for they knew theenemy would shortlybe upon them. Infact, after burningBonythons house, the savages laid siege to Phillips, who, however, beat themoff, with the loss of many of their warriors ; though he was presently forcedto abandon his post to the enemy, in spite of his gallant defence of it, becausethe people at the Pool were afraid to come to his assistance. Phillips bravestand, therefore, only delayed the destruction of the weak settlement at thefalls for a brief time, as the defeated savages soon came back to completewhat they had left unfinished. BIDDEFORD POOL. 1 This is the self-same John Bonython whose portrait the poet Whittier thusdraws in Afogg Megone:— The hunted outlaw, Bonython I A low, lean, swarthy man is bi . Wiih blankel garb, ami buskined knee, Ami naughl of English fashion on ;For in bates the race from whence he sprung,Ami hr oniches his words in the Indian tongui Thepoefs description of
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