midnight
Willet , Robert and Colden compelled them to withhold their fire until a real and tangible enemy appeared . Later in the night burning arrows were discharged in showers and fell within the palisade , some on the buildings . But they had pails , and an unfailing spring , and they easily put out the flames , although one man was struck and suffered both a burn and a bruise . Toward midnight a terrific succession of war whoops came , and a great number of warriors charged in the darkness against the palisade . The garrison was ready , and , despite the darkness , poured forth such a fierce fire that in a few minutes the horde vanished , leaving behind several still forms which they stole away later . Another of the young Philadelphians was killed , and before dawn he and his comrade who had been slain earlier in the evening were buried behind the blockhouse . At intervals in the remainder of the night the warriors fired either arrows or bullets , doing no farther damage except the slight wounding of one man , and when day came Willet and Robert , worn to the bone , sought a little rest and sleep in the blockhouse .