Escape the only means of safety. 209 



I did not understand then much about the importance of 

 Charges d' Affaires, neither did the Mexicans ; but I knew for 

 certain that their pretensions and their rather haughty tone and 

 manner made them angry. I was on a friendly footing with 

 all the staff of Escobedo, and I heard from them many things 

 they would not have told others. My attachment to the Em- 

 peror, and my zeal in his cause, rather pleased them, and I am 

 sure most of them secretly wished me success at least, if they 

 did not do so openly. From them I heard that the scene was 

 now drawing to a close ; that the ministers were utterly im- 

 potent, and that their interference would not do the least good. 

 The only thing which could save the Emperor was escape. 

 That was whispered in my ear by more than one. 



I spoke to the Emperor most earnestly ; but it seemed to 

 me that he also had been influenced by the great confidence of 

 the ministers, especially by Baron Magnus — and that is the 

 reason why I have always retained a kind of spite against the 

 Baron, who treated my fears as those of a nervous woman — 

 and that he looked now upon his position in a less gloomy light 

 than before their arrival. However, as he could not doubt my 

 sincerity and goodwill, and believed somewhat in my sound 

 judgment and observation, he listened at least to my sugges- 

 tions. 



Long before this I had impressed on him the necessity of 

 negotiating about an escape, not with inferior officers, but with 

 those highest in command. One of them I had won already ; 

 he had the command over all the guards in. the city ; but 

 Colonel Palacios had also to be won, who had the command 

 over the prison itself. For this purpose I wanted one hundred 

 thousand dollars in gold from the Emperor, which were to be 

 placed in the bank of M. Rubio, to be drawn according to cir- 

 cumstances, for ready cash. This, I said, was the, most essen- 

 tial thing in dealing with all Americans. 



The Emperor said that money was the least trouble in the 

 affair, for Baron Magnus and the other ministers had assured 

 him that it would be at his disposal to any amount. Strange ! 

 at the tail of each word of these gentlemen hung a gold ounce, 

 but not a miserable dollar at the tips of their fingers I It is 

 indeed excusable if I get impatient and indignant, h^t \]\\s 

 paltry stinginess killed the Emperor. 



Baron Magnus had unfortunately gone to San LuiS Po'tOSi. 



M 



