Our Indians took their bows and selected only such arrows as
were used by their children when fishing, so that the hostile party
might attribute their wounds and the defence of their buildings to a few
bold and resolute boys.
At morn, the Umbiquas made their appearance with two ladders, each
carried by three men, while others were lingering about and giving
directions, more by sign than word. They often looked towards the
loop-holes, but the light of day was yet too faint for their glances to
detect us; and besides, they were lulled into perfect security by the
dead silence we had kept during the whole night. Indeed, they thought
the boat-house had been deserted, and the certain degree of caution with
which they proceeded was more the effect of savage cunning and nature
than the fear of being seen or of meeting with any kind of resistance.
The two ladders were fixed against one of the towers, and an Indian
ascended upon each; at first they cast an inquisitive glance through the
holes upon both sides of the door, but we concealed ourselves. Then all
the Umbiquas formed in a circle round the ladders, with their bows and
spears, watching the loop-holes. At the chiefs command, the first blows
were struck, and the Indians on the ladders began to batter both doors
with their tomahawks.
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