supporting a larger body of men than those gathered
there. The tree-clad hills which constituted their stronghold were
some thirty miles in diameter; and the supply of fruits, of roots,
and of birds were sufficient for their wants; but it would be very
different, were their numbers largely increased. Then they would be
forced to make raids upon the cultivated ground beyond; and here,
however strong, they would be no match for the Spaniards, whose
superior arms and discipline would be certain to give them victory.

The Indians strongly supported the reasoning of the boys, and the
negroes, when they fully understood the difficulties which would
arise, finally acquiesced in their arguments.

Schemes were broached for making sallies from the forest, at night,
and falling upon the plantations of the Spaniards. This offered
greater chances of success, but the boys foresaw that all sorts of
atrocities would be sure to take place, and that no quarter would
be given to Spaniards of either age or sex. They therefore combated
vigorously this proposal, also. They pointed out that, so long as
they remained quiet in the forest, and were not joined by large
numbers of fugitive negroes, the Spaniards might be content to let
them remain unmolested; but upon the contrary, were they to adopt
offensive tactics, not only would every Spaniard in the island take
up arms against them, but if necessary they would send for help to
the neighboring islands, and would assemble a force sufficient
thoroughly to search the woods, and to annihilate them.

The only case in which the boys considered that an attack upon the
Spaniards would be lawful, would be in the event of fresh
expeditions being organized. In that case, they were of opinion
that it would be useful to destroy one or two large mansions and
plantations, as near as possible to the town; sending at the same
time a message to the Spaniards that, if they persisted in
disturbing them in the forest, a similar fate would befall every
Spanish plantation situated beyond the town.

It was not long before these tactics were called into play. One of
the negroes had, as was their custom, gone down to the town, to
purchase such articles as were indispensable. Upon these occasions,
as usual, he went down to the hut of the old woman who acted as
their intermediary; and remained concealed there, during the day,
while she went into the town, to buy cotton for dresses, and other
things. This she could