Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v2.djvu/33

 obliged to follow soon after, as the revolt took the shape of a war between Indians and whites. The red skins, however, made an exception in favour of the few English and French residents. Captain Hislop remained in the town during its occupation by the Cabanas, and told me that he was treated very well by the Indians and rebel chiefs.

After Santarem was recaptured, about nine months subsequent to these events, by a small sea and land force sent from Rio Janeiro, aided by the townspeople who were picked up at Prayinha, it was again attacked by a large force of Indians. This affair showed the blind fearlessness and obstinacy of the Indian character in a striking manner. An attack was expected, as the rebels were known to be concealed in great numbers in the neighbouring woods; so the Commandante of the garrison (Captain Leaō) had the whites' quarter strongly stockaded, and every man slept under arms. The Indians acted as though inspired by a diabolical fanaticism; they had no arms, except wooden spears, clubs, and bows and arrows; for their powder and lead had been exhausted long before. With these rude weapons they came through forest and campo to the storming of the now fortified town. The attack was made at sunrise; the sentinels were killed or driven in, and the swarms of red skins climbed the stockade and thronged down the principal street. They were soon met by a strong and well-armed force, well posted in houses or behind walls, and the reckless savages were shot down by hundreds. It was not until the street was encumbered by the heaps of slain that the rest turned their