There is another reason for discrediting the assertions of the old chroniclers in this respect.  The idea of calling upon their enemies, the Caribs, to make common cause with them against a foe from whom the Caribs themselves had, as yet, suffered comparatively little, and the ready acceptance by these savages of the proposal, presupposes an amount of foresight and calculation, of diplomatic tact, so to speak, in both the Boriquenos and Caribs with which it is difficult to credit them.

The probable explanation of the alleged arrival of Caribs is that some of the fugitive Indians who had found a refuge in the small islands close to Boriquen may have been informed of the preparations for a revolt and of the result of the experiment with Salcedo, and they naturally came to take part in the struggle.

On hearing of the ominous gathering Ponce sent Louis Anasco and Miguel del Toro with 50 men to reconnoiter and watch the Indians closely, while he himself followed with the rest of his small force to be present where and when it might be necessary.  Their approach was soon discovered, and, as if eager for battle, one cacique named Mabodomaca, who had a band of 600 picked men, sent the governor an insolent challenge to come on.  Salazar with his company of cripples was chosen to silence him.  After reconnoitering the cacique’s position, he gave his men a much-needed rest till after midnight, and then dashed among them with his accustomed recklessness.  The Indians, though taken by surprise, defended themselves bravely for three hours, “but,” says Father Abbad, “God fought on the side of the Spaniards,” and the result was that 150 dead natives were left on the field, with many wounded and prisoners.  The Spaniards had not lost a man, though the majority had received fresh wounds.

Ponce, with his reserve force, arrived soon after the battle and found Salazar and his men resting.  From them he learned that the main body of the Indians, to the number of several thousand, was in the territory of Yacueeca (now Anasco) and seemingly determined upon the extermination of the Spaniards.

The captain resolved to go and meet the enemy without regard to numbers.  With Salazar’s men and the 50 under Anasco and Toro he marched upon them at once.  Choosing an advantageous position, he gave orders to form an entrenched camp with fascines as well, and as quickly as the men could, while he kept the Indians at bay with his arquebusiers and crossbowmen each time they made a rush, which they did repeatedly.  In this manner they succeeded in entrenching themselves fairly well.  The crossbowmen and arquebusiers went out from time to time, delivered a volley among the close masses of Indians and then withdrew.  These tactics were continued during the night and all the next day, much to the disgust of the soldiers, who, wounded, weary, and hungry, without hope of rescue, heard the yells of the savages challenging them to come out of their camp.  They preferred to rush among them, as they had so often done before.  But Ponce would not permit it.