Only his head was unarmed, but covered with a cap and
plumes, while a negro carried his helmet. He was accompanied by five
well-armed soldiers. He had not taken more than fifty steps, when an
Indian named Ubal suddenly ran out of some dense tufted thickets, and,
attacking him with his campilan, cleft open his head. Ubal was the
brother of Silonga, and owner of the only cow in all that country. He
killed it three days previous to this misfortune, and, inviting his
friends to the feast, promised to kill the most distinguished person
of the Spaniards in that war. He fulfilled his word, for Estevan
Rodriguez fell, from his wound, and died three days afterward,
without having answered a single word to the questions asked him,
although he declared his answers by signs. The five Spaniards, on
seeing their captain wounded--so suddenly that the murderer appeared
and the blow was heard at the same moment--fell upon Ubal and cut him
to pieces. They informed Master-of-camp Xara of the general's death,
who, stifling his resentment, withdrew his men, and built a fort in
the most suitable place, near the river.
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