o
message could be delivered to him as long as he had an armed party on
British soil, and that he must surrender his arms. After some little
discussion the chief agreed to do so, provided that they were returned
when his men left the island; and, on these terms, ten or eleven rifles
were brought in; but while this was being done, a trumpet sounded in the
public ball-room, and the Santa Cruz, quickly gathering together, began
to load their rifles. The chief, being asked for an explanation of this
sudden change, replied that his braves were only cleaning their guns,
but at the same moment a sub-chief came up, and loudly declared that the
Santa Cruz would not give up their arms.

The troops were rapidly posted in advantageous positions, and Captain
White then informed the chiefs that if their men would not lay down
their arms they must leave San Antonio at once, first handing over the
woman who had been abducted. Some discussion ensued, but Captain White
remaining firm, the chiefs agreed to go, and moved their men down to the
boats. At the last moment, however, it was discovered that the woman,
who was the cause of the expedition, was in one of the boats, and their
departure was stopped until she was landed, and given in charge of the
troops.

The Santa Cruz now refused to stir, but remained in their boats, which
were moored to the bank. It being feared that the Indians were only
delaying for reinforcements, thinking to overpower the British in the
darkness, Captain White sent Lieutenant Wilton with ten men to give them
a peremptory order to push off within a quarter of an hour. The Indians
received the message with laughter, asking, "What will you do, if we do
not go?" It was now rapidly becoming dark, and the country, wild and
savage in itself, was entirely strange to both officers and men. After
ten minutes had elapsed, without the Indians giving any sign of
departure, Captain White had the "close" sounded, drew in his sentries,
and descended towards the boats with fixed bayonets. Upon this the
Indians pushed off, and were soon lost to sight in the darkness. The
detachment remained under arms all night at San Antonio, and next
morning, it having been ascertained that the Indians had retired across
the frontier, the troops returned to Orange Walk.

The following letter was forwarded upon this subject:

"HORSE GUARDS, WAR OFFICE,