s had rendered them bold, and they seemed determined, now they
were partially foiled in their purpose as to entering the place by
stratagem, to carry the house, at all hazards, by actual storm, while
they rendered the air heavy with their yells.

Don Leonardo was not at all alarmed--he had fought too many battles with
the negroes to fear them. He quietly prepared his fire-arms, and loaded
to the muzzle a heavy swivel-gun he kept mounted at one of the main
windows, while he gave arms to such of his slaves as he felt confidence
in, and to his immediate retainers. The negroes had never seen nor heard
the swivel fired, as it was a late importation. They had become somewhat
accustomed to small arms, and though they had a dread of them, yet it
was not sufficient to deter them from making the attack after having
congregated in such numbers, and having become so wrought up by each
other. But as they made a rush bodily towards the stockade, Don Leonardo
fired the swivel, which had been loaded with shot, slugs, and bullets,
into their very midst, every missile telling on the limb or body of one
or more! The effect was electrical and the slaughter large.

The astonished savages rapidly gathered up their wounded companions and
returned to the jungle once more. At first this terrible slaughter among
them seemed to deter them from the idea of a second attack, but the loud
report of the gun rapidly augmented the numbers of the blacks, until
they made a second onslaught, with almost precisely the same effect.
They could scale the stockade only on this side, while on the other, or
opposite side, Captain Ratlin kept up such a deadly and accurate fire of
musketry, that every one who approached the buildings was sure to
forfeit his life. It was fortunate that this arrangement had been made,
for the negroes twice attempted to set the dwellings on fire from the
rear, but were instantly repulsed by Captain Ratlin's double-barrelled
gun, which was ready loaded by his side, and which he used with fearful
accuracy of aim on every approaching object.

The negroes seemed to be wrought up to such a state of excitement that
they would not give over their purpose, though it involved such immense
risk and sacrifice of life, and the attack was continued, at intervals,
far into the morning, and long after the regular course of duty, until
at last the negroes divided their mutilated numbers into four parties,
and it was evidently their last and most det