committed, but that was because no resistance
had been made to the spoliations. Nor had any houses been yet attacked.
Perhaps the Indians were only a small band; but there was no knowing
how soon their numbers might be increased, and greater outrages
attempted.

The people of the valley, as well as those in the town, were now in a
state of excitement. Consternation prevailed everywhere. Those who
lived in the scattered ranchos forsook their homes during the night, and
betook themselves to the town and the larger haciendas for shelter.
These last were shut up as soon as darkness approached, and regular
sentries posted upon their azoteas, who kept watch until morning. The
terror of the inhabitants was great,--the greater because for a long
period they had lived on good terms with the Indios bravos, and a visit
from them was novel as unexpected.

No wonder that they were alarmed. They had cause for it. They well
knew that in these hostile incursions the savage enemy acts with the
utmost barbarity,--murdering the men, and sparing only the younger
women, whom they carry off to a cruel captivity. They well knew this,
for at that very date there were thousands of their countrywomen in the
hands of the wild Indians, lost to their families and friends for ever!
No wonder that there was fear and trembling.

The Comandante seemed particularly on the alert. At the head of his
troops he scoured the neighbouring plains, and made incursions towards
the spurs of the mountains. At night his patrols were in constant
motion up and down the valley. The people were admonished to keep
within their houses, and barricade their doors in case of attack. All
admired the zeal and activity of their military protectors.

The Comandante won golden opinions daily. This was the first real
opportunity he had had of showing them his "pluck," for there had been
no alarm of Indians since he arrived. In the time of his predecessor
several had taken place, and on these occasions it was remembered that
the troops, instead of going abroad to search for the "barbaros," shut
themselves up in the garrison till the latter were gone clear out of the
valley, after having carried off all the cattle they could collect!
What a contrast in the new Comandante! What a brave officer was Colonel
Vizcarra!

This excitement continued for several days. As yet no murders had been
committed, nor any women, carried off; and as the Indians had only
appeared i