148 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



have been given better than I could if I attempted the 

 task. As usual, the day was warm, bright and pleas- 

 ant, and there was absolutely nothing that could forbode 

 an extraordinary occurrence, until the rumor gained 

 credence that insurgents had surprised the regulars and 

 taken possession of about one thousand guns, a few 

 light weapons and ammunition. This occurred at four 

 o'clock. Regulars and militia were at once called in, and 

 the lively street fight began at half past four in the lower 

 city. Small firing was commenced in all seriousness on 

 either side and continued until six o'clock, when the 

 "crusaderos"* had to vacate the barracks which they had 

 previously taken and they slowly retired into their caves 

 and hiding-places of the upper-town. The fight grew 

 now very serious as larger fire-arms had to be put into 

 use on either side, which, however, enabled the regulars 

 to gain but little territory. Meanwhile it became evident 

 that the "crusaderos" had few or no leaders, as they re- 

 tired slowly toward the fortress which protects the har- 

 bor-entrance, thereby coming, about eight o'clock, within 

 reach of the big guns, which caused them to disband rap- 

 idly. 



The men-of-war remained absolutely quiet, only send- 

 ing a few boats full of armed men ashore for the protec- 

 tion of their respective consulates. About five o'clock 

 the English man-of-war got up steam, and weighed one 

 of its anchors and the other English vessel towed in or- 

 der to turn its batteries to face the city. Lanterns ap- 

 peared in the evening along the deck-side, where the can- 

 non stood. The night passed quietly with the exception 

 of the plundering of a small arsenal on the east-side of 

 the city. 



My private opinion is, that peace will not be of long 

 duration even if La Monte would be able to defeat the 

 "crusaderos" completely, which, according to some, is 

 already an accomplished fact. The hatred of the lower 

 classes is too great. 



*"Los Crusados," followers of Crnces, the rebel candidate for 

 President. 



