t had influenced us on a former occasion, the attack was not
to be made until daybreak; and we waited as before, but with a very
different prospect. There were now six hundred warriors in the town--
about our own number; and we knew that a desperate engagement was before
us. We had no fear as to the result; but we feared that the vengeful
savages might take it into their heads to despatch their captives while
we fought. They knew that to recover these was our main object, and, if
themselves defeated, that would give them the satisfaction of a terrible
vengeance.

All this we knew was far from improbable; but to guard against the
possibility of such an event, every precaution was to be taken.

We were satisfied that the captive women were still in the temple. Rube
assured us that it was their universal custom to keep new prisoners
there for several days after their arrival, until they were finally
distributed among the warriors. The queen, too, dwelt in this building.

It was resolved, then, that the disguised party should ride forward,
conducting me, as their prisoner, by the first light; and that they
should surround the temple, and by a clever _coup_ secure the white
captives. A signal then given on the bugle, or the first shot fired,
was to bring the main body forward at a gallop.

This was plainly the best plan, and having fully arranged its details,
we waited the approach of the dawn.

It was not long in coming. The moonlight became mixed with the faint
rays of the aurora, and objects were seen more distinctly. As the milky
quartz caught the hues of morning, we rode out of our cover, and forward
over the plain. I was apparently tied upon my horse, and guarded
between two of the Delawares.

On approaching the town we saw several men upon the roofs. They ran to
and fro, summoning others out, and large groups began to appear along
the terraces. As we came nearer we were greeted with shouts of
congratulation.

Avoiding the streets, we pushed directly for the temple at a brisk trot.
On arriving at its base we suddenly halted, flung ourselves from our
horses, and climbed the ladders. There were many women upon the
parapets of the building. Among these Seguin recognised his daughter,
the queen. She was at once secured and forced into the inside. The
next moment I held my betrothed in my arms, while her mother was by our
side. The other captives were there; and, without waiting to offer any
explanat