CHAP.
VI.]
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
47
into complete confusion. An army seemed pressing upon them from every quarter, their fellow-warriors to be laid low with thun足 der and lightning from the forests. While driven together and confounded by these attacks, Alonzo de Ojeda charged their main body impetuously with his troop of cavalry, cutting his way with lance and sabre. The horses bore down the terrified Indians, while their riders dealt their blows on all sides unopposed. The blood-hounds at the same time rushed upon the naked savages, seizing them by the throat, dragging them to the earth, and tear足 ing out their bowels. The Indians, unaccustomed to large and fierce quadrupeds of any kind, were struck with horror when assailed by these ferocious animals. They thought the horses equally fierce and devouring. The contest, if such it might be called, was of short duration. The Indians fled in every direction with yells and howlings ; some clambered to the top of rocks and precipices, whence they made piteous supplications, and offers of complete submission ; many were killed, many made prisoners, and the confederacy was for the time completely broken up and dispersed. Guacanagari had accompanied the Spaniards into the field ac足 cording to his promise, but he was little more than a spectator of this battle or rather rout. He was not of a martial spirit, and both he and his subjects must have shrunk with awe at this unu足 sual and terrific burst of war, even though on the part of their allies. His participation in the hostilities of the white men was never forgiven by the other caciques, and he returned to his dominions, followed by the hatred and execrations of all the islanders.