Huge boulders strewed the bottom of the chasm; where indeed a stream, in winter, poured through.

The sides were by no means perpendicular, but were exceedingly precipitous.
When the Spaniards had fairly got into the gorge Ned gave the signal, and a shower of great stones came leaping down the sides of the rocks upon the astonished foes.

Several were struck from their horses; many of the horses, themselves, were knocked down; and a scene of confusion at once took place.

The Spaniards, however, were accustomed to fighting; and the person in command, giving a few orders, led ten of his men up the rocks upon the side where the assailants were in strongest force; while the rest of the party, seizing the horses' heads, drove the frightened animals back through the ravine to the mouth.
The instant that the Spaniards commenced their ascent, long habits of fear told upon some of the slaves, and these took to their heels at once.

Many others stood more firmly, but were evidently wavering.