THE AMERICANS AND THE ABORIGINES. 361 



themselves in every direction, behind hedge and bush, 

 over land and water, in accents as wild and fierce as 

 if the demons of hell had been unchained, and were 

 rejoicing in a nocturnal revel. Simultaneously with 

 this uproar, a regular platoon fire commenced upon 

 the shore, and blue flames issued from various cottages 

 of the peaceful Indian hamlet, rapidly increasing till 

 they burst out into a bright red blaze, that spread 

 hissing and crackling over wall and roof. In the 

 midst of this frightful tumult another shout was 

 uttered, resembling the roar of the lion when he 

 rages in his utmost fury. It was the war-whoop 

 of El Sol. 



The noble Mexican had been lulled to sleep by 

 the night-song of his bride, when the well-known 

 yell of his tribe awakened him. Clasping his beloved 

 wife with one arm, he grasped his knife and rifle, and 

 darted through the door of the wigwam. A discharge 

 of musketry greeted his appearance. The chief felt 

 his left arm pierced by a ball ; he trembled, and a 

 slight shudder came over him. " Canondah ! " cried 

 he, in a hoarse tone, leaping the hedges like a 

 wounded deer, and hurrying towards the forest ; 

 " Canondah, fear nothing you are in the arms of 

 El Sol ! " 



She answered not ; her head had sunk upon her 

 breast, her body writhed with a convulsive spasm, 

 and then again stretched itself out. For one moment 

 a horrible thought paralysed the very soul of her 



