Here a bivouac was formed, branches of the trees cut down, and the provisions which each had brought with him produced.
A rivulet ran through the glade, and the weary troops were soon lying on the grass, a strong line of sentries having been placed round.
Already the appearance of the troop was greatly changed from that of the body which had entered the wood.

Then all were eager for the fray; confident in the extreme of their power to crush, with ease, these unarmed negroes and natives, who had hitherto, except on the last occasion, fled like hunted deer at their approach.

Now, however, this feeling was checked.

They had learned that the enemy were well commanded, and prepared; and that so far, while they themselves had lost several men, not a native had been so much as seen by them.
At nightfall the air became alive with mysterious noises; cries as of animals, occasionally Indian whoops, shouts from one voice to another were heard all around.

The Spaniards stood to their arms, and gazed anxiously into the darkness.
Soon the shouts of the sentries told that flights of arrows were being discharged at them, by invisible foes.