Musketoons, heavily charged so as to make as loud a report as possible, were also fired to attract the attention of the other columns.
The boys were perfectly aware that they could not hope, finally, to defend this position.

They had, however, given the Spaniards a very heavy lesson; and the success of the defense had immensely raised the spirit and courage of their men.

The signal was therefore given for a retreat; and in half an hour both the Indians, on the summit of the hill, and the negroes, behind the barricade, had fallen back; leaving only some half dozen to keep up the appearance of defense, and to bring back tidings of the doings of the enemy; while the rest hurried off, to aid the detached parties to inflict heavy blows upon the other columns.
It was found that these were steadily approaching, but had lost a good many men.

The reinforcements enabled the natives to make a more determined resistance, and in one or two places the columns were effectually checked.

The reports, when night fell, were that the Spaniards had altogether lost over two hundred men; but that all their columns had advanced a considerable distance towards the center of the forest; and had halted, each as they stood; and bivouacked, keeping up huge fires and careful watches.
It formed no part, however, of the boys' plan to attack them thus; and when morning dawned the whole of the defenders, each taking different paths, as far as possible; some even making great circuits, so as to deceive the enemy, were directed to make for the central fortress.