Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/290

274 rejoicing amongst the inhabitants of the garrison, who, as it was proved, numbered about eighty all told. Captain Wheeler was in command. Captain Hutchinson, who had been sorely wounded the day before, lay on a pallet in the upper story. So far but one of the garrison had been killed and one wounded  since they had taken refuge there. The Indians had attacked ferociously last night and again early in the afternoon, exposing themselves far more than was usual to the fire of  the defenders, so that it was reckoned more  than half a hundred had been killed. Of the relief from Hadley nothing had been seen or  heard. Many of the garrison from constant fighting were wearied almost beyond endurance, and with the arrival of the reënforcements, these were sent to rest themselves  while the dragoons took their places at the  firing-holes. Food and ammunition were plentiful, though with fifty more on hand the  water supply might soon give out unless all  partook sparingly.

David took his place beside his father where a view of the village to the right of  the garrison house was presented. It was from that direction that the next attack was  expected, they learned. For nearly half an