But the country was now thoroughly aroused. A strong party of militia, though less in force than the enemy, had been gathered under the command of Colonel Barrett, an old soldier, who had served with Amherst and Abercrombie. Under his direction most of the stores were removed to a place of safety. At seven in the morning the British arrived at the place, and found two companies of militia on the Common. These retreated to some high ground about a mile back. The enemy then occupied the town, secured the bridges, destroyed what stores had been left, and broke off the trunnions of three 24-pound cannon. They also fired the town. Meanwhile the forces of the Americans increased to four companies. After consultation, Major Buttrick was sent with a detachment to attack the enemy at the North Bridge. Here a fight ensued. Two Americans and three British were killed, and several on both sides were wounded. The British detachment retreated, and the Americans took the bridge. The enemy, seeing Americans continually arriving, were alarmed, and Smith ordered a speedy return to Boston, throwing out flanking parties on the march. But it seemed as though armed men sprang from every house and barn, or were lurking behind every rock and tree. Shots came from every quarter, and were mostly fatal. Charges had no effect. Driven from one point, fresh assailants came from another. It seemed as though the entire detachment would be slain or captured. [Illustration: THE LEXINGTON MASSACRE.—[FROM AN OLD PRINT.]] [Illustration: JOHN HANCOCK.] Gage received word of the swarming of the minute-men and the peril of his troops, and sent a brigade, with light artillery, under Lord Percy, to reinforce Smith. This reached within a half mile of Lexington at three o’clock in the afternoon, and forming a hollow square around the wearied soldiers, allowed them a short time for rest and refreshment. Then the whole body began its return march, destroying houses and doing other mischief on the way. The country was now up, the provincial troops came from all quarters, and it was a general running engagement. At Prospect Hill there was a sharp fight. Percy seemed in danger of being cut off; but another and stronger reinforcement arriving, he was enabled to reach Boston. [Illustration: FIGHT AT THE BRIDGE.] _THE FIGHT AT LEXINGTON._ Tugged the patient, panting horses, as the coulter keen and thorough, By the careful farmer guided, cut the deep and even furrow; Soon the mellow mould in ridges, straightly pointing as an arrow, Lay to wait the bitter vexing of the fierce, remorseless harrow— Lay impatient for the seeding, for the growing and the reaping, All the richer and the readier for the quiet winter-sleeping.