CHAPTER XXV. THE VICISSITUDES AND DISTURBANCES OF THE COLONY.
To civilize the savages, and teach them the ordinances of the holy religion, this was the one thing which we had most at heart, and towards this all our cares and labours were directed. Yet had we often to complain of the fruitlessness of our endeavours. The Abipones, whose thoughts were continually engaged in attacking or repulsing their enemies, with the exception of a very few, refused to attend to religious instruction, or pay us any obedience. Fresh tumults arose daily, one proceeding from another. Their ancient ill-will to the savage Mocobios, though it seemed forgotten for a while, was again revived by fresh and repeated injuries. These savages frequently came and carried off droves of horses, slaying all they met if any resistance was made. A few days before my arrival one of our Abipones pierced two of the plunderers with a spear. Not long after, a great number of Mocobios, to revenge the deaths of these men, carried off an immense drove of horses from the remoter pastures of our colony, by night, and without being perceived by any one. Whilst hastening homewards in possession of their booty, and anticipating no attack, they were observed in crossing a wood, by our Abipones who had passed the night there to gather the alfaroba, and who suddenly fell upon them, slew some, wounded others, and put the rest to flight.
The Mocobios, by no means disheartened at this bad fortune, repeated their assaults, sometimes in troops, sometimes in small parties. On St. Joseph's day a numerous band of Mocobios concealed themselves in a neighbouring wood about evening. But this ambuscade was discovered by one of the Abipones, and destroyed by the rest, who rushed upon them in one company. For nearly two hours the whole plain trembled beneath the flying Mocobios and pursuing Abipones, whilst the air resounded with military trumpets. The women and children concealed themselves meantime within the inclosure of our court-yard, whilst I kept watch at the entrance of it. The shades of night, and the raging of a stormy south wind, created inexpressible horror. As nothing could be seen amid such profound darkness, I laid hold of my musket on perceiving a horseman softly approaching the door. From his voice, however, I discovered it to be Alaykin, who had separated himself from the rest, and was riding about to take a survey, and see whether any ambuscade were lurking thereabouts. At length the war trumpets ceased, and from the deep silence of the whole plain I felt convinced that the Mocobios were driven to a very great distance. I therefore retired into my den to sleep: but before I had reached the bed a fresh tumult of horsemen and trumpets was heard in the market-place, accompanied with confused shouts and such a doleful lamentation of the women that I almost thought the savages were cutting their throats. I instantly snatched up my arms and ran to the place. The enemies, who wished in their hasty flight to return towards the north, deceived by the darkness, went southward, and were driven into the market-place by a troop of Abipones. Amid such clamouring both of the pursuers and of the pursued, I do not know whether one drop of blood was shed by these heroes. This I know, that I spent a sleepless night, watching at the door of the court-yard for the protection of the old women; as my companion, who should have relieved me in my office of watchman, was tormented with a violent tooth-ache.