Knowing that his information was too important to be neglected for one
moment, I at once went in search of Uncle Denis, who was on guard. He
called up my father, Uncle Terence, and Doctor Stutterheim; and Kanimapo
being summoned, a council of war was held. No one having any doubt of
the correctness of his information, it was quickly decided that, in
consequence of our want of ammunition, it would be hopeless to attempt
the defence of the house, and that the best prospect we had of saving
our lives was to beat a speedy retreat. My uncles proposed proceeding
to Don Fernando's; and my father would have gone there also, had not
Kanimapo undertaken to guide him and his family to a place of safety, if
they would trust to him.
"I would invite you all to come, but I fear that so large a number would
be more likely to be discovered by the Spaniards," he said.
My father expressed his perfect confidence in the Indian, but said that
he must first consult my mother. He therefore went to call her, and she
and Norah quickly appeared. The Indian did not conceal his satisfaction
when they both declared that they should be ready to trust to his
guidance.
"Kanimapo's life will answer for your preservation," he replied. "Had
he a hundred lives, he would willingly give them up for your sakes."
It was therefore decided that my uncle and his family, with a party of
twenty men, should immediately start for Don Fernando's, and that we
should accompany Kanimapo. Our chief anxiety was for the poor wounded
men. To leave them in the house, would be to doom them to certain
destruction. It was accordingly arranged that they should be carried to
a place of concealment in the neighbourhood of the village, where their
friends could take care of them.
"I will attend them," said Dr Stutterheim; "although I should have
preferred accompanying you, my friends, into your mountain-retreat. But
I look upon these poor fellows as my patients, and I never desert my
patients until they are cured."
Having once decided to abandon the house, the necessary arrangements
were rapidly made. Litters were formed for carrying the wounded men;
two horses and a mule were appropriated for the use of my mother and
Norah, and for the conveyance of the younger children. The remainder of
the animals were then taken by my uncles, as it was important that they
should push on rapidly, to avoid the danger of being cut off by any of
Aqualonga's people. My father advised that a party should remain within
to barricade the door by which we had made our exit, and that they
should then descend from the battlements by means of a rope, so that it
might cost the enemy considerable time and trouble to force their way
in.
A brief time only was given to parting adieus, and then our different
parties set out. We had still three hours of darkness before there was
any risk of being discovered, and after that, it will be remembered,
according to what the Indian had heard, a whole day would elapse before
Aqualonga would make his proposed attack.