By these artifices, I induced the Mocobios and Tobas to give up their intention of destroying the colony, or rather, as the event discovered, to defer it till a better opportunity. During many days, which they passed in sight of us, in the same spot they had at first occupied, they daily explored the adjacent pastures, plains, and woods; not one of the few Abipones that remained at home presuming to offer the least opposition, though perfectly aware of their dangerous intentions. Meantime, though suspected of treachery, they revelled like Bacchanals at our expense; oxen being at my orders slain on purpose for them, lest, on failure of other food, ourselves should be devoured by these cannibals. A fortunate event at length delivered us from these hateful guests, and freed us from continual anxiety and suspicion. About sun-set, the whole plain resounded with a sudden tumult, no one doubted but that the enemies were approaching; and I myself believed we should be presently attacked by a vast company of Mocobios and Tobas, of which those that had stayed so long with us were only the spies and forerunners. But this was a false alarm; for when the dust, which had concealed them from us, dispersed itself, we discovered ten of our Abipones, who were bringing about two thousand horses which they had plundered from Ychoalay's estate, to revenge the death of one of their countrymen who had fallen by his hand in a recent skirmish. The Cacique of the Mocobios, seeing so large a booty, doubted not but that the owner was pursuing the plunderers, and fearful that by remaining he should be involved in the conflict with Ychoalay, and drawn into a participation of the danger, hastened home next morning as soon as it was light. The ill-will that he bore towards us was manifested by his parting speech to the Abiponian women: "If," said he, "you value your lives, your liberties, and your children, desert this colony forthwith. The land you occupy is not your own, nor will we suffer you to usurp it. It will be stained with your blood, unless you depart voluntarily." This first visit of the Mocobios and Tobas was a prelude and preparation to that grand expedition which these savages, in conjunction with the Oaekakalots, undertook, some months after, to the destruction of our colony. Of this subject we shall treat more fully after having made some premises. CHAPTER XL. SMALL-POX THE ORIGIN OF MANY CALAMITIES AND BLOODY ATTACKS.