CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.
A strict watch was kept on the Spaniards, while everything possible wasdone in the way of preparation for an attack, possibly a double attackfor aught we knew. It was quite probable that, in spite of theirdefeat, the Indians would return that night, perhaps in greaterstrength, to come on just at the same time as the Spaniards.
"And then," said Morgan, "what the officers ought to do is to keep usall out of the way, and let 'em fight it out between them."
But that such an encounter was not likely to occur I soon saw, for theSpaniards after a long talk together slowly marched back to their boats,and rowed to the ship lying at anchor in the river; and after a night ofwatchfulness, the sun rose again without our being assailed either fromwater or land.
As soon as it was light, work was recommenced, and our defencesstrengthened; but it was soon found that the defenders would be muchfewer in number, for many of the men who, in spite of their wounds, heldup on the previous day, were unable to leave their rough couches, andhad to resign themselves to the surgeon's orders, to have patience andwait.
All the same though, a fairly brave show was made, when towards middayboats were seen to leave the ship again and row to the shore. Then,after landing a strong body of well-armed men, they put back a little,cast out grapnels, and waited while those landed marched right for theenclosure.
There appeared to be no hesitation now, and as memories of the brave olddeeds of the Spaniards came up, it was felt that in all probability afiercer fight was in store for us than those which we had had with theIndians. But not a man flinched. The perils they had gone throughseemed to have hardened them, and made them more determined. So thatour stockade was well-manned, and in breathless silence all waited forthe attack.
It was dangerous, of course, and I knew the risk, but I could not resistthe temptation of trying to see the encounter, and, well down to oneside of the gateway, I watched the coming on of the Spaniards.
There was no waiting for dark, or stealthy approach; they did not evenspread to right and left to search for a weaker point, such as theywould have found right at the back, but came boldly up toward the gate,as being the proper place to attack, halted about a hundred yards away,and then an officer and two men advanced, in one of whom I recognisedthe interpreter of the previous day.
They came right on, the Englishman shouting to us not to fire, and thenasking, as he came close, to speak with an officer.
Colonel Preston appeared, and the messenger called upon us to surrender.
"And if we do not?" said the colonel.
"The gate will be stormed at once, and very little mercy shown," saidthe man, speaking dictatorially now, as if he had caught the manner ofhis Spanish companions.
"Very well," said the colonel. "You can storm, and we'll defend theplace."
The envoys went back with our defiance, and there was a shortconsultation, followed by a rapid advance, a halt about fifty yardsaway, and then a volley was fired by about fifty men, who uttered ashout, and made a rush for the gate.
I heard the word "Fire." There was a scattering answer to theSpaniards' volley; but instead of its proving harmless, about a dozenmen fell, and began to crawl or limp back, after rising, to the rear.
This checked the advance by quite half, and only half of these came onmuch farther, the rest dropping back rapidly till of the brave force whoattacked, only one ran right up to the gate, and he, a handsome-lookingyoung officer, struck it fiercely with his sword, shouted something inSpanish, and then began to go back, but keeping his face to us defiantlyall the time.
A dozen pieces were raised to fire at him, but the colonel struck themup, and showed himself above the gate, to raise his hat to the youngofficer, who, half laughingly, half bitterly, returned the salute.
Morgan told me afterwards what Colonel Preston said: that if there hadbeen fifty men like this one the stockade could not have been held.
But there were not, for when the wounded Spaniards had been carried downto the boats, and a line was formed for a fresh attack, a loud murmurarose; and, as plainly as if I had heard every word, I made out that themen would not advance, and that the officer threatened to go alone.
Then one man only ran to his side, and they two advanced together,trying to shame the Spaniards to attack.
But they were not shamed a bit, but let those two come right on, when,as they reached to within twenty yards of the gate, our men sent up ahearty cheer, for the one who accompanied the Spanish officer was theEnglishman.
"Bravo!" cried Colonel Preston. "Hallo, there, you renegade; you're abrave man after all. Tell the Spanish officer I salute him as oneworthy of all respect."
The officer raised his hat as this was interpreted to him.
"Now tell him," continued the colonel, "not to risk his life in anotheradvance. An accidental shot might injure him, and I should be mostgrieved."
"Are you mocking him, sir? He says," shouted the man.
For answer, Colonel Preston leaped down from over the gate and advanced,Morgan following him. I saw the Spanish officer start at this, andadvance sword in hand to the attack; but Colonel Preston sheathed his.
"Tell him," he said aloud,--"no, there is no need to tell him; he canunderstand this.--Sir, I wish to take the hand of a gallant officer inmine," and he stretched out his hand.
The Spanish officer lowered the point of his sword, and after a moment'shesitation changed it into his left hand.
"You can tell him that I do not mean treachery or trying to takeprisoners," said the colonel.
His words were interpreted, and the Spanish officer said somethinghastily in reply.
"Says, sir, that he cannot take your hand, but respects you all thesame."
At that moment the Spaniards began firing, and this roused our men intoreplying, a sufficiently perilous position for the group between them,till the young officer ran towards his men, holding up his sword; butbefore the Spaniards had ceased our fire was silenced, for I saw theGeneral run here and there, shouting angrily.
"That was a risky proceeding of yours, Preston," said the General, asthe colonel came back within the fence.
"Yes, sir; a foolish, undisciplined act," replied the colonel; "but Ifelt carried away by the bravery of that young fellow, deserted as hewas by his cowardly crew."
"I cannot blame you," said the General, "for I felt similarly moved."
Little more was said, for every one was intent upon the proceedings ofthe enemy, who drew back about a hundred yards, and then formed up withmilitary precision, apparently previous to making a determined advancetogether; but a full hour passed, and no advance was made. Two officerscame ashore from the ship with ten more men, and we were all kept in astate of tension, momentarily expecting to have to defend ourselvesagainst a desperate attack.
But none came, and soon after the whole force marched down to the boatsand embarked, while a couple of hours later the ship was going slowlydown the big river with the tide.
Now it might have been expected that on seeing this our men would haveburst into a triumphant cheer, but they did not, but stood watching theship in silence. For there seemed to be something too solemn for wordsor any display of exultation. Utterly worn out with fighting andwatching, and feeling as if we had all been rescued from death, menmoved about gravely and quietly, and I saw group after group wheregentlemen and ordinary working men, old soldiers who had come out thereto that pleasant land believing they had for ever turned their swordsinto shares and pruning-hooks, were seated holding the hands of theirwives, and with their children on their knees, their heads bent, and thetears streaming down the women's faces; and I know that a heartfeltthanksgiving went silently up to heaven that night for the escape we hadall had.
But still there was the feeling of insecurity afloat, which caused thegreatest precautions to be taken. The forest was not far distant, andfor aught we knew the Indians might again come on.
So sentries were placed, to be relieved after short watches, and
I fullyintended to take my turn when I lay down; but, just as it was oncebefore, almost as I began thinking, all became blank, and the next thingI remember was waking up, feeling ashamed of my neglect, to find thatonce more it was broad day.