GENEIIAL OUTBREAK. 123 



of the north and adjacent districts into Santa 

 Fe. A considerable number collected in the 

 fortifications of Isleta, and many families from 

 the surrounding jurisdictions were able to 

 reach the capital; yet great numbers were 

 massacred on the way ; for the Indians, per- 

 ceiving their plot discovered, did not await the 

 appointed time, but immediately commenced 

 their work of destruction. 



General hostilities having commenced, eve- 

 ry possible preparation was made for a vigorous 

 defence of the capital. The population of the 

 suburbs had orders to remove to the centre, 

 and the streets were all barricaded. On the 

 evening of the 10th two soldiers arrived from 

 Taos, having with much difficulty escaped the 

 vigilance of the Lidians. They brought in- 

 teUigence that the Pueblos of Taos had all 

 risen; and that on arriving at La Canada, 

 they had found the Spaniards well fortified, 

 although a great number of them had been 

 assassinated in the \dcinity. The governor 

 now sent out a detachment of troops to re- 

 connoitre, instructing them to bring away tlte 

 citizens who remained at La Canada. They 

 returned on the 12th, with the painful infor- 

 mation that they had found many dead 

 bodies on their way — ^that the temples had 

 t>een plundered, and all the stock driven oflf 

 from the ranchos. 



The massacre of the Spaniards in many 

 neighbormg Pueblos, was now unreservedly 

 avowed by the Indians themselves ; and as 

 those who remamed in Santa Fe appeared in 



