So finally when October came, and the ground was frozen and covered with snow, the troops set out, led by faithful Mohican guides, to attack the Pequots in their own village. From a European point of view the army presented a pitiable appearance, being little more than a rabble of men. But they all burned with a desire to punish the Indians, and every one of them could handle his gun with precision.
Slowly and carefully the whites proceeded to the Indian village at Mystic, where the fierce Pequot chief Sassacus had gathered almost a thousand Indians, the majority of whom could fight.
The Indian village was well concealed in a huge swamp, and had not the ground been frozen, the white men could never have approached it. But the cold winter, of which usually the colonists stood in dread, now proved their best friend, for they could march over the hard ground with ease and reach the Indian village in spite of the swamp which surrounded it.
One day, at noon, it was reported to Captain Mason that they had almost reached the village of Mystic. The troops were gathered in the thick woods, in a little valley, which shut them off from the inquisitive eyes of the Pequot scouts. It was a cold, unpleasant day, and a fierce storm was raging, which drove the sharp, icy flakes into the faces of the men as they moved forward.
Hurriedly John Mason called together his officers and discussed with them the matter of attack. Both the officers and the men desired to go forward at once, since the Indian village was only about seven miles away.
"We can make that in two hours," one of the men said; "and there will be sufficient time left to punish the redskins thoroughly." To this all seemed to agree.
"And what do you think of the situation?" the Captain asked Fred.
"Do you think we should attack right now?"
The eyes of all were turned upon the boy with eager expectancy, for not one had expected that so great a fighter as Mason should ask him for his advice.
Yet he answered briefly and truthfully.
"I would not do it, Captain," Fred said calmly; "if I were in command of the troops. Your men are worn out by the march, while the Indians are no doubt ready for an attack. Then, too, if the attack should fail, the night would intervene and disconcert us. My advice would be to give the troops a thorough rest, start out when darkness has set in, and attack the Pequot village toward the morning. This will not give them any time to gather their forces."