188 Ten Years of my Life. 



fall into his hands, and that if he were wounded I should be 

 permitted to nurse him. 



The General left it to me whether I would remain at M, 

 Rubio's until the next diligence, or whether I would go with 

 that which was to start next morning. After reflecting that my 

 staying before Querataro was of no use, I desired to go next 

 morning to San Luis Potosi. 



The diligence started some leagues from Queretaro. When 

 I arrived at its place of starting, before three o'clock in the 

 morning, I met there Lieut-Colonel Aspirez, who told me that 

 he had been ordered by General Escobedo to escort me to 

 San Luis Potosi and to the President. He had already taken 

 tickets for myself and maid, and we started about three o'clock 



A.M. 



After a journey of three days we arrived in San Luis Potosi, 

 and I delivered my letter from General Baz to the military 

 governor of that place, by whom I was quartered in beautiful 

 rooms in a house that belonged to one of the Imperialist party. 



With Lieut-Colonel Aspirez I then went to see the Presi- 

 dent. When I came to his palace I was received by one of 

 his aide-de-camps, who led me by the hand, as if he was lead- 

 ing me to a country-dance, to a large reception-room. There 

 the aide-de-camp made a tremendous bow, and left me with 

 Aspirez. 



After a little while President Juarez entered, accompanied by 

 M. Iglesia, one of his ministers, who spoke English perfectly 

 well. 



Juarez was a man a little under the middle size, with a very 

 dark complexioned Indian face, which was not disfigured, but, 

 on the contrary, made more interesting, by a very large scar 

 across it. He had very black piercing eyes, and gave one the 

 impression of being a man who reflects much, and deliberates 

 long and carefully before acting. He wore high English 

 collars and a black neck-tie, and was dressed in black broad- 

 cloth. 



The President gave me his hand, led me to the sofo, on 

 which Jimmy had alread}'' established himself, and said he 

 would listen to what I had to say. 



M. Iglesia, who acted as interpreter, looked more like a 

 dark-haired German with spectacles than a Mexican. He was 

 in appearance and manners a thorough gentleman, who showed 

 much sympathy in his benevolent face. 



