Here he and his Indian legions levied terrific toll upon the lives of their enemies who pressed onward, up or down the rivers and through tropical swamps and forests.

Inch by inch he contested their entry upon Paraguayan soil.

When the able-bodied men gave out, old men, boys, women, and girls fought on with stubborn fury, and died before they would surrender.

The wounded escaped if they could, or, cursing their captors, tore off their bandages and bled to death.

Disease wrought awful havoc in all the armies engaged; yet the struggle continued until flesh and blood could endure no more.