359 house, and a command to Swallow, w"\lo was the collonell of these men, to examine and punish them. Mrs. Hutchinson had sent before to Swallow, who then quarter'd at Leicester; the next day after it was done, to informe him, who sent a letter utterly disowning their actions, and promising to punish them. This Mrs. Hutchinsori sent to shew the souldiers that lay then abusing the country at Colson; but when they saw their officer's letter they !aught at him, and tore,it in pieces. Some dayes after he, in a civil manner, sent a captaine ·with them and other sou!diers to Owthorpe, to enquire of their misdemeanors before their faces; which being confirm'd to him, and he beginning to rebuke them, they sett him at light, even before Mrs. Hutchinson's face, and made the poor man retire sneap'd to his collonell, while these six rogues, in one weeke's space, besides the assessments assign'd them to gather up, within the compasse of five miles, tooke away violently from the country, for their owneexpence, above five-and-twenty pounds. Notwithstanding all this pretended civillity, Fleetewood and his councellors were afrayd of the collonell, and the protection was but sent to draw him thither, that they might by that meanes get him into their custody. But he, . having intimation of it, withdrew, while men and arms were preparing, that he might appeare publickly in the defence of the country, when he was strong enough to drive out the souldiers that were left in these parts. Three hundred of them were one night drawne out of Nottingham to come · to Owethorpe for him, but some of the .party gave him notice, who was then at home, and immediately went out of the house. Neither wanted they their spies, who gave them notice that he was gone againe, so that they turn'd of upon the wolds and went to Hickling, and the next day Maior Grove their commander sent to Mrs. Hutchinson to desire permission for himselfe only to come downe, which she gave, and so with only five or six of his party he came. With him Mrs. Hutchinson so easily dealt that, after she had represented the state of things to 3 c
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