A quantity of combustibles placeil by the side of the fort In
the night, was set on fire, by which the beseiged were in
imminent dangi^r of a conflagration ; they were now com-
pelled to go out and draw water from a well, under a
shower of shot ; but they were so fortunate, as to extin-
guish the flames without the loss of a man. While a
part of the Indians were thus employed at the fort, par-
ties were stationed at a distance, on all the roads and ave-
nues leading into the village, to intercept an v troops thai
might approach to relieve the place, but their precaution
failed. Major Simon Willard, at the head of a party of
cavalry at this time was near Lancaster, on hiH march to
attack a lodge of Indians to the westward of that place ;
on hearing of the critical situation of the people at Hrook*
field, he immediately changed his rout, and dashing on
about thirty miles, reached the besieged garrison in the
night. A drove of cattle which had been frightened
from the place, by the yells, and flring of the In-
dians, happening to be near the rout on which Willard
approached, fell into his rear, and followed him into the
Tillage; the Indians who were guarding that avenue,
supposing Willard^s force to be numerous, suffered him
to pass without a shot. Finding the garrison thus rein-
forced, the Indians poured in a hot fire for a short time,
killing several of the horses, then sat fire to the remain-
ing buildings, and retired into the woods.
