Volley after volley were fired, from the musketoons and arquebuses, into the wood.
These were answered by bursts of taunting laughter, and mocking yells, while the rain of arrows continued.
The Spanish troops, whose position and figures could be seen by the blaze of the lighted fires, while a dense darkness reigned within the forest, began to suffer severely from the arrows of these unseen foes.

Bodies, fifty strong, advanced into the dark forest to search out their enemies; but they searched in vain.

The Indians, better accustomed to the darkness, and knowing the forest well, easily retreated as they advanced; and the Spaniards dared not venture far from their fires, for they feared being lost in the forest.
The officer commanding, an old and experienced soldier, soon ceased these useless sorties.

Calling his men into the center of the glade; he ordered them to stand in readiness to repel an assault, extinguished every fire, and allowed half the troop at once to lie down, to endeavor to snatch some sleep.

This, however, was impossible; for although the Indians did not venture upon an attack, the chorus of shouts and yells was so terrible and continuous, and the flights of arrows at times fell so fast, that not one of the troop ventured to close an eye.
From time to time volleys were fired into the darkness; and once or twice a loud cry told that some, at least, of the balls had taken effect; but the opponents, sheltered each behind the trunk of a tree, suffered comparatively slightly, while many of the Spaniards were struck by their missiles.
Morning dawned upon a worn-out and dispirited band, but with daylight their hopes revived.