inishing; but pride, and contempt for a race they had for so long
been taught to despise, urged them forward. They fancied probably that
they must prove victorious as soon as they could come into actual
contact with their foes. They were now also fighting for life as well
as honour; for if driven back, few would expect to escape after the
reception they had already met with. Every instant, however, fresh
bodies of Indians sprung up above and around them. On every height
warriors were posted, every rock concealed an enemy.

My attention was now drawn off from the more distant scene by what was
going on below me. The Indians having penetrated through the gardens,
now entirely surrounded the house; and it required all the vigilance of
those within to repel them. I could hear those below rushing about to
each assailable point as their presence was most required; the officers
shouted their orders, bullets rattled through the house, and the heavy
blows of clubs and axes sounded on every side, while the whole house was
filled with the smoke of the firearms. When, however, after some time,
the Indian? found that they could not gain an entrance in this manner
without great loss, they retired behind the outer walls of the garden,
and a comparative silence succeeded to the previous din of warfare. It
was but preparatory to another more desperate attempt. From the
mountain side I saw a fresh body of men advancing, who bore among them
ladders roughly formed out of young fir-trees. It was evident that they
intended to climb to the roof for the purpose of making an entrance
through it, and dropping down upon the garrison. I foresaw that if they
did so, the sacrifice of life must be very great, though they would
ultimately succeed; for the Spaniards could scarcely defend themselves
if attacked from above as well as on every side.

I now began to repent of my folly in having remained behind; but as I
had hitherto been unhurt by the bullets, which were striking the roof
and walls on every side of me, I fancied that I should yet escape. I
tried to consider what I had best do, and came to the conclusion that it
would be wiser to remain where I was. If I should be recognised by any
of the Indians, I had no fear of their injuring me; but in the confusion
and heat of the fight I could scarcely expect to be so, and I felt that
I must run all the risks of the assault if they should succeed in their
object. I almost hoped that they