154 



SPANISH OPPRESSION, 



to them^ that every indulgence should be 

 granted^ in order to lessen the burden of those 

 who were incapable of bearing the charge. He 

 then informed his Spanish guests that he had 

 received notice that some Indian caciques^ and 

 their followers^ were in open rebellion^ and 

 had sworn to murder all the Spaniards they 

 could meet; that they were marching on his 

 house in a body, and that it was necessary for 

 the safety of the Spaniards, that they should 

 assist him in defending it. Arms were given 

 to them, and they were told to lie in conceal- 

 ment until their services were required. The 

 Indians, full of hope and innocence, assembled 

 as they had been directed, when, upon a pre- 

 concerted signal from the corregidor, the armed 

 gentry rushed upon these defenceless people, 

 killed some, and took the rest prisoners. They 

 were then accused of rebellion, sent in chains 



