THE AMERICANS AND THE ABOEIGINES. 367 



round the blazing huts. The next instant, with 

 brandished arms and shouts of fury, the Indians 

 rushed towards the creek. 



A malicious smile played over the hard features of 

 the pirate as the red men came charging down upon 

 his band. 



" Reserve, forward ! " cried he, turning to the 

 picket. The order was obeyed. In profound silence 

 Lafitte allowed the howling Indians to advance to 

 within ten paces of the musket muzzles, and then 

 uttered a hoarse " Fire ! " A deadly volley was 

 poured in, and the first rank of the assailants fell 

 to a man. Their comrades started back, but instantly 

 returning to the charge, threw themselves with a 

 desperate leap upon the pirates. The latter coolly 

 tossed their muskets into the hollow of their left 

 arms, and drew their pistols; a second volley, in 

 which the fire of the reserve picket mingled, threw 

 the red men into utter confusion. The slope of the 

 shore was covered with killed and wounded, and the 

 survivors fled howling to the cover of the thicket. 



" March ! " commanded Lafitte. The picket again 

 approached the boat, followed by the main body. 



At that moment, when to all appearance the re- 

 treat of the pirates was ensured, four heavy splashes 

 in the water were heard, and Lafitte saw the four 

 men who had been in charge of the boats rise to the 

 surface of the water and then disappear for ever. At 

 the same time the boats themselves, impelled by some 



VOL. III. 2 A 



