118 BATTLE BETWEEN THE INDIANS AND GAUCHOS. 



at least, beat quicker than usual. But I had faced death 

 in its most terrible forms too often to flinch in such a 

 situation. I was fully prepared to send some of our ene- 

 mies to their grand trial in another world. Nearer and 

 nearer they came, and louder and louder grew the sounds 

 of their gallop, till the light of our fire showed us the 

 front of both parties. They discovered each other at 

 the same time and with terrific yells turned from us to 

 engage in combat. Joaquin fairly yelled with joy one 

 party consisted of Araucanian Indians the other of their 

 deadliest foes the robber Gauchos. They had encoun- 

 tered while bent upon the same predatory errand. They 

 met in full charge, and the shock was tremendous. Horses 

 reeled and fell. Rifles were discharged, and we could 

 see the glimmer of the lances used by the Araucanians. 



What course were we to pursue ? Mr. Barrill thought 

 that flight during the battle would be our best resource. 

 But Joaquin suggested what he felt convinced would be 

 the better course : To mount our horses and charge the 

 Indians in the rear help to defeat them and gain the 

 good will of the Gauchos, who, in the meantime, seemed 

 to be getting the worst of the conflict. I was delighted 

 with the proposition. In a moment we were mounted ; 

 and, rifle in hand,, we raised a tremendous shout, and 

 dashed upon the rear of the astonished Indians. A short, 

 fierce struggle ensued, and then the few surviving In- 



