CHAPTER XIV
THE SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF THE ILLYAS' STRONGHOLD
John smiled, as he saw with what satisfaction Uraso gave him this parting shot. Still he hesitated.
Uraso went up to him, and he started back. "You need not fear me because we will keep our word. Say to your chiefs that Uraso tells them they are fools. The Illyas cannot succeed. They will be crushed and their villages taken. Your village is surrounded, and you cannot get aid from your other villages. Go and tell them that we shall not again ask them to treat with us."
This address assured him and he first marched along carefully, and soon made his way with celerity to the village. The Illyas were, unquestionably, as much surprised as the messenger at the treatment he had received. It was so unlike all former experiences.
During John's investigations he had discovered that the approach to the village on the east side offered the best chance for a rush, as the character of the ground was better suited to go up close to the line of works, and from that point a better view was obtained of the interior of the village.
A movement during the daytime would disclose his motives, and he therefore advised Uraso and Muro of his plans, and suggested that as they[p. 176] would be able to mass the troops better during the night, the attack should be delayed until early morning.
"During the day we will make a great show of putting up a line of works to deceive them into the idea that we intend to attack from this side. During the early morning we will take three-fourths of the force and steal around to the east, and attack them with a rush."
"But suppose they rush out in this direction?" asked Muro.
"We must keep a sufficient force here to hold them in check, and, if necessary, to rush in from this quarter; and I would like to have you hold the ones left for that purpose."