502 POLITICAL TROUBLES. 



There were many most anxious spectators of the struggle : not only the timid and peaceful 

 citizens, who knew not at what moment rohbery and pillage would begin ; the patriots, who 

 grieved at the evidence of insubordination and incapacity for self-government their coun- 

 trymen were giving to the world ; those whose blood tingled with the excitement to which 

 it had given birth, and who thirsted to mix in the strife ; but those, also, who had secretly 

 incited, and had spent their breath and treasure willing to obtain power, even if the path to 

 it led fathom-deep through the blood of their countrymen. As Lieutenant MacRae wrote me: 

 " There were leading men of the Egualistas very quiet at first, but who rushed in shouting 

 when the men from the barricades took possession of the artillery a feat that will probably cost 

 them their heads." The apparent triumph of their friends was too severe a trial to their 

 assumed philosophical indifference ; the grim iron captives they had brought to the other side 

 of the Canada were messengers bringing "tidings of great joy;" and the screen concealing 

 their secret and unholy alliance was torn away by the first false sounds that wafted "Victory!" 

 Alas, poor Egualistas ! The active head that planned was now pillowed on- the earth ; the 

 stout heart that cheered you on had nearly welled out its last drops ; the mantle of valor, which 

 at least should have fallen on his successor, fitted no such ignoble shoulders, and passed only 

 among his old though humble associates. These missing the voice that animated and the 

 well known form to follow, disheartened for want of example, bewildered by recognising none 

 to obey, and called by old companions within the cuartel one by one dropped away until the 

 larger half were gone, absolutely ignorant whether as victors or as vanquished. In the hands 

 of the mob that remained, guns captured, without ammunition, were at best but unstrung 

 harps, serving not an instant to prolong the jubilant. 



The struggle was over. The chief men interested among the Egualistas, who had betrayed 

 themselves but a brief while before, were now deserted, and they looked wildly round for a 

 direction in which to escape, each hoping that his participation had been unmarked. Their 

 motto was " Sauve qui pent;' 1 and in less than three hours after the artillery fell into the hands 

 of the insurgents, one of them was seen thirty-five miles south of Santiago ! But the govern- 

 ment had been argus-eyed, and every man of them was registered ; some being promptly arrested 

 and thrown into prison, to be banished subsequently, whilst others succeeded in going into 

 voluntary exile. Such of the troops as did not join their fellows in the cuartel marched to 

 the palace and gave themselves up, the Egualistas and rabble dispersing in all directions. 

 Indeed, it was said that a part of the club forthwith ranged themselves on the government 

 side ; so that by 1 P. M. , instead of hostile battalions contending in the streets, there were only 

 patrols of government troops picking up prisoners. And thus the timid were reassured that 

 order was restored. Confidence they could not inspire. It had been too evident that the mass 

 would not array themselves under the banners of the ministry, if such connexion would involve 

 them in conflict. The civic troops were alike in opposition, or at best indifferent. The disaf- 

 fected regulars were in a decided majority, and there was a rumor that the Valdivias continued 

 so excited, that they might again rise at any moment. Added to this, there was a doubt as to 

 what General Cruz would do when the news reached him ; whether he would march instantly 

 to the capital, with the army and people of the South at his back, to avenge those who had 

 proclaimed him in the plaza and fallen; or whether he would act as became a patriot, and rally 

 to the aid of the legally constituted authorities of his country, irrespective of self. The Presi- 

 dential election was near at hand too, the friends of Cruz at Santiago claiming 9,000 voters, 

 or more than a majority. From these causes there was distrust and restraint on intercourse 

 at the capital during several weeks. 



Within a few days after the revolt a military court arraigned and sentenced twenty-seven of 

 the Valdivias to be shot, one of whom paid the penalty of his crime. The sentences of the rest 

 were commuted to service in the penal colony, and the name of the regiment was blotted out. 

 Arteaga, who had taken an active part in firing the cuartel of his old battalion, was demanded 

 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs ; or rather the United States minister was notified of this civil 

 crime, and requested to permit his arrest at the legation : a request declined, probably not from 



