ked upwards, it seemed impossible that we could ascend. There was,
however, the branch of a tree, which grew in a cleft of the rock.

"Take me on your shoulders, and I think I can reach it," I cried to
Pedro.

He stooped down, and, as I sprung on his shoulders, he lifted me up till
I caught hold of the branch. I drew myself up, and succeeded in
throwing my body over the bough. I then, holding on tight with one
hand, gave him the other, and lifted him up till he could catch hold of
it also. The branch cracked and bent with our united weight; but we
were anxious enough had it not done so, for we were now fully exposed to
the sight of the combatants below. They were, however, too much engaged
to observe us. When Pedro no longer required my assistance, I lifted
myself till I could reach the branch of another tree still higher up,
and from thence sprung on to the rock we wished to gain. Pedro kept
close behind me, and imitating my example, we in a short time found
ourselves behind a rock overshadowed by trees, where, from among the
branches which hung down close to it, we could command a view of the
greater part of the ravine without being seen, though we were not high
enough to escape any stray shots fired in our direction.

By the time we got there, the last of the Indians who had stood their
ground, were either killed or wounded; and the Spanish troops swept
along the defile like a mountain torrent, overthrowing all they
encountered in their course. Their shouts of triumph, and the shrieks
of the Indians, reached our ears with terrible distinctness where we
stood. During our ascent we had heard nothing; even the rattle of the
musketry was unheeded. Now and then the Spaniards halted to load, and
they again sent forth a volley, which in that narrow space took terrible
effect; and once more they advanced to the charge. The Indians did not
once attempt to rally, but fled like a flock of sheep chased by dogs;
those in the rear falling the first victims, and the conquerors passing
over their prostrate bodies. The rout was most complete; and over the
distance which we could see from where we stood, it appeared that many
thousands had been killed. Every foot of the ground was covered with
them, and the conquerors had literally to wade through their blood as
they rushed to the work of destruction. It was a dreadful sight; but
still we could not withdraw our eyes from it. We were considering what
we should next do;