They were more than two to one, and had
implicit faith in their chief's assurance that they were bound to rout
the Spaniard.
Under cover of the cloud of smoke his weapons had raised despite a
strong wind, Mesa executed two flank movements, justifying the tactics
of Anastacio: he detached forty men from the main body and directed them
to attack the Indians on both sides and to cut off their retreat to the
forest. They were almost upon the north and south ends of Anastacio's
square--after making a detour and advancing from a distance--when the
boys shouted a warning. In a moment arrows were flying to right and
left; and the answering volley was far more deadly than the effects of
firing up hill. The Indians stood their ground, fitting their arrows
with swift dexterity, encouraged by Anastacio, who glided from point to
point like a hungry cobra, discharging two arrows to every man's one.
His only hope was to keep the Californians at long range until losses
compelled the latter to retreat: at close quarters arrows would be no
match for firearms.
The battle began at five in the morning. It was at four in the afternoon
that Roldan passed his hand across his burning eyeballs, then gripped
Adan's arm and said through his teeth,--
"Anastacio is hit.
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