English were there completely paralyzed
them. They hesitated, and then began slowly to fall back.

This was all that was needed to encourage the negroes. With a
shout, these now advanced to the attack, shooting their arrows and
hurling stones, and the retreat of the enemy was rapidly converted
into a flight.

Their blood once thoroughly up, the negroes were ready for
anything. Throwing aside their bows and arrows, they charged upon
the Spaniards; and in spite of the superior arms and gallant
defense of the latter, many of them were beaten down, and killed,
by the heavy clubs and pointed starves of the negroes.

More, indeed, would have perished; and indeed, all might have
fallen had not, at this moment, a formidable reinforcement of
strength reached them. The men from below, having got the horses
fairly out of the gorge, left but two of their number with them,
and advanced to the assistance of their friends, bringing with them
the two bloodhounds.

"Never fear the hounds," Ned shouted. "We can beat them to death,
as easily as if they were pigs. Keep a bold front and attack them,
and I warrant you they are no more formidable than their masters."

Had these reinforcements arrived earlier, they might have changed
the fight; but the Spaniards who survived were anxious only to be
off, and the negroes' blood was so thoroughly up that, under the
leadership of the boys, they were prepared to face even these
terrible dogs.

These threw themselves into the fray, with all the ferocity of
their savage nature. Springing at the throats of two of the
negroes, they brought them to the ground. One of the dogs was
instantly disposed of by Gerald; who, placing his pistol to its
ear, blew out its brains. Ned fell upon the other with his sword
and, the negroes joining him, speedily beat it down and slew it.

The diversion, however, had enabled the Spaniards to get upon their
horses; and they now galloped off, at full speed, among the trees.

Chapter 7: An Attack in Force.

The negroes were delighted at the success of the conflict; as were
the Indians, who soon joined them. But ten of the Spaniards had
escaped, the rest having fallen; either in the gorge, killed by the
rocks, or in the subsequent fight.

Ned and Gerald, who were now looked upon as the leaders of the
party, told the negroes to collect the arms of the fallen men, and
to give a hasty burial to their bodies. The boys knew, too well,
the savage nature of t