would give up the attempt, and allow
the Spaniards to escape. The success, however, of the main body of
their army encouraged them to persevere.

As far as I could judge at that distance, the troops were completely
hemmed in, and were fighting for their lives, not to advance, but to
return down the mountain. Should the house be taken, all hopes of their
so doing would be lost, as it would leave the besiegers at liberty to
descend by the path leading to it, and to cut off all those who might
escape.

I was not left long in doubt. By making a circuit to the left, the
ladders were brought to a gable end of the house where there were no
windows. The Spaniards must have seen the ladders, but they had no
means of attacking those destined to mount them unless by making a
_sortie_; and this, with their diminished numbers, they were probably
afraid of attempting. The tramp of some men on the steps leading to the
roof, showed me that they were aware of what was about to take place,
but they were too late. The Indians had already begun to tear off the
tiles, and the soldiers who appeared were received with the discharge of
a dozen muskets close to their faces. Many fell; the rest attempted to
retreat, and were precipitated to the floor below. The Indians swarmed
up in numbers, and filled the whole upper story. I stood concealed in a
small closet which had not been entered. Just then I perceived, besides
the smoke of gunpowder, a cloud of greater density ascending through the
floor, and a strong smell of burning wood.

"Merciful heaven!" I exclaimed, "the house is on fire!"

The Indians discovered what was the case at the same time, and rushed
down the steps. I followed the last of them. I thought if I attempted
to escape by the ladders, I might be mistaken for a Spaniard, and shot.
The scene of fighting, bloodshed, and confusion, which met my sight
below, passes all description. The combat was carried on by both sides
with desperation, the chief aim of the Indians being to open the gates
to their friends without, and that of the Spaniards to prevent them. In
the confined space of the passages, the Indians had somewhat the
advantage with their daggers or short swords, and their axes; and they
continued fighting for a minute or more, but had, notwithstanding, made
little progress, when, from the secret passage I have so often
described, a band of half-naked warriors burst into the house, and
uttering loud yells,