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LIFE A N D VOYAGES OF
[BOOK X V I I .
being unacquainted with the use of slings. Instead of being dis足 mayed at seeing their companions fall, it rather increased their fury. An irregular battle, probably little else than wild skirmish足 ing and bush-fighting, was kept up from two o'clock in the after足 noon until night. Las Casas was present on the occasion, and, from his account, the Indians must have shown instances of great personal bravery, though the inferiority of their weapons, and the want of all defensive armor, rendered their valor totally ineffectual. As the evening shut in, their hostilities gradually ceased, and they disappeared in the profound gloom and close thickets of the surrounding forest. A deep silence succeeded to their yells and war-whoops, and throughout the night the Span足 iards remained in undisturbed possession of the village.