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When the adventurers had taken charge of their spoils, Matheus Chagas prepared to evacuate the village. The Paulista Commando began its homeward march before the red light appeared in the east. The armed men led the van, in the centre and surrounded by guards were bands of pinioned captives, and in the rear came horses and laden beasts under protection of the Mamelucos.

They had not left the village before loud and prolonged sounds were heard, and presently numerous fires broke out in the suburbs of the settlement. The conflagration increased, and a thick cloud of smoke filled the air, which was gradually lit up by the furious flames. It became bright as day, whilst the atmosphere waxed every moment heavier and warmer. The adventurers were startled; none knew whether mere chance or the design of the converts had caused the danger which threatened them. They hastened to quit the village, when Matheus Chagas warned them to beware of ambuscades.

The flames were spread far and wide by a stiff norther. Horribly illuminated were the village, the prairie, and the forest. Frightful noises thundered in the air like a concert of fiends. The roofs and entrances of the houses burst open; huge fragments of masonry, loose tiles, and smoking walls were dashed to earth. The streets were choked with ruins, and the adventurers had immense labour in extricating themselves.

Some of the Mamelucos already spread themselves outside the village, and the rearguard was still struggling to escape the danger and to join those who preceded it.

But whilst the flames lit up the ruins and wrapped the upper horizon in sable clouds, loud shouts and whistlings from afar increased the panic produced by the fire; and the terrified eyes of the Paulistas fell upon armed masses of Guaranfs, some hastening in