hat they had been beaten off by the
valiant soldiers after a desperate conflict, in which many were killed
on both sides; that the officers were all killed, including the
Comandante; and that another attack might be looked for that night,
which would most likely be directed against the town! This was the
first shape of the "novedades."

Another rumour had it that the "Indios mansos" had revolted; that they
were headed by Carlos the cibolero; that they had made an unsuccessful
attempt upon the Presidio, in which, as before, the valiant soldiers had
repulsed them with great loss on both sides, including the Comandante
and his officers: that this was but the first outbreak of a great
conspiracy, which extended to all the Tagnos of the settlement, and that
no doubt the attack would be renewed that night!

To those who reflected, both forms of the rumour were incomprehensible.
Why should "Indios bravos" attack the Presidio before proceeding against
the more defenceless town as well as the several rich haciendas? And
how could Carlos the cibolero be their leader? Why should he of all
men,--he who had just suffered at the hands of the savages? It was
well-known through the settlement that it was the cibolero's sister who
had been carried off. The idea of an Indian incursion, with him at the
head of it, seemed too improbable.

Then, again, as to the conspiracy and revolt. Why the tame Indians were
seen labouring quietly in the fields, and those belonging to the mission
were working at their usual occupations! News, too, had come down from
the mines--no symptoms of conspiracy had been observed there! A revolt
of the Tagnos, with the cibolero at their head, would, of the two
rumours, have been the more likely to be true; for it was well-known to
all that these were far from content with their lot--but at present
there was no appearance of such a thing around. There were they all at
their ordinary employments. Who, then, were the revolters? Both
rumours, therefore, were highly improbable.

Half the town-people were soon gathered around the Presidio, and after
stories of all shapes had been carried back and forward, the definite
facts at length became known.

These, however, were as mysterious and puzzling as the rumours. For
what reason could the cibolero have attacked the officers of the
garrison? Who were the Indians that accompanied him? Were they
"bravos" or "mansos"?--savages or rebels?

The most remarkab