APPENDIX. 



421 



imminent danger if they advanced, that they might be induced thereby to 

 abandon their project. It was rather a hard injunction to lay on a brave old 

 officer, that he should show himself as a coward in front of his soldiers and 

 the enemy. However it was complied with. Soon as the enemy in the 

 town opened their fire from the church and batteries, Carrera put himself at 

 the head of his picket, exchanged fire a few times with the enemy, and 

 then ordered a retreat. The soldiers, little accustomed to shrink from 

 apparent danger, were incensed against their captain for the cowardice he 

 showed, refused to obey him, and even threatened to shoot him if he dared 

 to give them any order. They called on the cornet to lead them on, and 

 fearlessly advanced under the enemy's fire, followed by 900 Indians. The 

 Captain accompanied the detachment as a soldier in order to redeem his lost 

 reputation ; but all was vain : the impression on their minds against him ever 

 after was indelible. The soldiers and Indians entering the Plaza, the 

 Porteiios were panic-struck : they capitulated, on condition of being left un- 

 molested in the fort and tower of the church, leaving their property, wives, 

 children, and relatives, at the mercy of the unfeeling Indians. The scene 

 which ensued was the most affecting and pitiable : the women (as is cus- 

 tomary on such occasions) had run to the church to implore the protection of 

 their patron saints ; but the Indians were ignorant of the existence of such 

 patronage or protection. They broke open the door of the church, possessed 

 themselves of all the females, old and young, children, sacred utensils, &c. ; 

 even the images of the saints did not escape the general calamity. As that 

 of the Virgin was magnificently decorated, it caught the fancy of a cacique, 

 who dragged her away in the greatest precipitation : nor did he discover his 

 prize to be inanimate till he had her in the street ; when, finding that he had 

 been deceived by her very brilliant appearance, and lost the opportunity of 

 making a more desirable booty, he undressed her, and carrying with him all 

 the ornaments and clothing, he left the unfledged image with disgust and 

 contempt in the street. Whilst all the time of the Indians was absorbed in 

 search of the unfortunate women and children, our detachment employed 

 themseves in plundering the town ; in which they found a considerable 

 quantity of specie and valuable articles. Soon as the General was acquainted 

 with the occurrences he hastened to the town ; but as he was two leagues 

 distant, he could not arrive in time to prevent the excesses. The Indians 

 were about to reduce the town to ashes, when the General arrived, and per- 

 suaded them to desist and abandon the town ; which they did, conveying the 



