282 FATE OF THE FOREST GARRISONS. [1763, June. 



of it by pushing it before them. At the same time, 

 great numbers of them lay close behind the ridges 

 by the stream, keeping up a rattling fire into every 

 loophole, and shooting burning arrows against the 

 roof and sides of the blockhouse. Some were 

 extinguished with water, while many dropped out 

 harmless after burning a small hole. The Indians 

 now rolled logs to the top of the ridges, where they 

 made three strong breastworks, from behind which 

 they could discharge their shot and throw their 

 fireworks with greater effect. Sometimes they 

 would try to dart across the intervening space 

 and shelter themselves with their companions in 

 the ditch, but all who attempted it were killed or 

 wounded. And now the hard-beset little garrison 

 could see them throwing up earth and stones behind 

 the nearest breastwork. Their implacable foes 

 were undermining the blockhouse. There was 

 little time to reflect on this new danger; for 

 another, more imminent, soon threatened them. 

 The barrels of water, always kept in the build- 

 ing, were nearly emptied in extinguishing the 

 frequent fires ; and though there was a well close 

 at hand, in the parade ground, it was death to 

 approach it. The only resource was to dig a sub- 

 terranean passage to it. The floor w^as torn up ; 

 and while some of the men fired their heated 

 muskets from the loopholes, the rest labored 

 stoutly at this cheerless task. Before it was half 

 finished, the roof was on fire again, and all the 

 water that remained was poured down to extin- 

 guish it. In a few moments, the cry of fire was 



