set upon the Spaniards with the utmost fury.
Several of the officers had been killed or severely wounded.
Terror-stricken at these new opponents, the men gave way; some attempted
to gain the roof, others to burst their way through the doors, though
they must then have fallen into the hands of their enemies; but they had
a new foe to contend with, as relentless as the former.

The fire, which had been smouldering in one of the rooms, burst forth as
the doors were thrown open, and, fanned by the breeze, the fierce flames
crept across the walls and along the rafters and ceiling. As the
impending danger was perceived, many of the combatants ceased their
strife, and victors and vanquished endeavoured to preserve their lives
by flight; but some, worked up to fury, fought desperately on till the
flames actually caught them in their toils, and claimed them for their
victims. Others, with their clothes on fire, Spaniards and Indians
mingled together, were seen rushing forth and calling on their friends
for aid--on their foes for mercy. Mercy the Indians had never received,
nor were they in a temper to grant it. As each Spaniard appeared he was
cut down, or was else driven back into the flames, till, as I afterwards
heard, not one remained alive of all those who had lately garrisoned the
house.

In the meantime I had been watching an opportunity to escape. The
fighting was still continuing with the greatest fury, the combatants
passing before me, as alternately the Spaniards forced their way
forward, or were again driven back by the Indians who poured into the
building, while the raging flames gained possession of it; when, as the
heat became so intense that I could no longer hold my post, and a space
for an instant appearing clear before me, I darted forward amid the
fire, the whistling bullets and the weapons of the combatants. I ran on
in the hopes of reaching one of the doors at the west side of the house;
but I was so blinded and stifled by the smoke, that I could scarcely see
my way, or know what I was about. I fancied that I perceived before me
a number of Indians. They were driving at the point of their spears
several soldiers back into the fire that had reached that part of the
house. With fierce gestures some of them advanced towards me. I tried
to cry out and explain who I was, when, before the words were spoken, I
was sensible of a sharp blow, it seemed on my side. The next instant I
saw axes and swords gl