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204 As Diaz retired, he overheard his commander say to one of the officers, "It is a nigger plan." He took no notice of the scornful remark; but made preparations for his hazardous enterprise with all possible secrecy and despatch.

His men were ordered to lay aside their muskets—to retain their side-arms—to take a pair of pistols in their belts—and to carry upon their shoulders, a heap of wood, tightly bound together with osier bands. Thus prepared, at two o'clock in the morning, their commander gave directions to march toward the fort. The night was dark, and the column arrived at their destination in perfect safety. Silently and rapidly they deposited their bundles in the deep trench, beginning at the outer margin, and building successive layers toward the wall. As fast as this operation was performed, they tiled off, and formed companies, in readiness to scale the wall, as soon as this combined bridge and ladder should be completed. They were obliged to wait but a brief period. The Roman warriors could not have buried the parricide woman under their shields with more celerity, than the soldiers of Diaz filled up the fosse, and formed an ascent to the wall.

Diaz was the first to leap upon the ramparts. The first sentinel he met was laid dead at his feet.

The garrison were sleeping; and before they were completely roused, the Brazilians had gained the greater part of the fortress. As soon as the Dutch recovered a little from their first surprise and confusion, they formed a compact phalanx, and offered desperate resistance. Diaz received a sabre-wound, which shattered the bones of his left arm above the wrist. It was necessary to staunch the blood, which flowed profusely. Finding that it would take the surgeon some time to adjust the bones, and arrange the dressing, he bade him cut off the hand, saying, "It is of less consequence to me than a few moment's time, just now."

This being done, he again rushed into the hottest of the fight; and although the Dutch had greatly the advantage in the use of their artillery and muskets, they could not long withstand the determined bravery of their assailants. Fighting hand to hand, they soon killed, or