promptly shot down the two first figures that entered by the door,
causing them to fall dead. This unexpected repulse caused those behind
to retreat for a while to the jungle, where they might consult under
cover as to what this unexpected opposition to their plans indicated.

The reader may as well be here informed that a faithful slave, who had
been long with the Spanish trader, and who had been confided in by the
robbers, at last could not keep the secret, but just at the opportune
moment aroused her master, while he, by his promptness, for the moment
stayed the attack, until the door could once more be fastened, and the
people awakened and armed to repel the congregated mass of the enemy.
The father did not for one moment suspect his child's treachery, and was
amazed and alarmed by her absence; but there was little time for
speculations upon that or any other matter, since the large numbers of
the negroes 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,