A FrigJdened Captain. 219 



that General Escobedo held him responsible, and that he was 

 compelled not to permit me to go out of his sight. I told the 

 poor little fellow that he might accompany me. I should take 

 my time to prepare and pack up, and I was in a rather danger- 

 ous humour. I told him then to go where he liked. I would 

 go up, and up I went, revolver in hand, the captain following. 



I wanted to gain time, in hopes ' that something might turn 

 up,' and declared now that neither I nor my servant understood 

 packing. I must have some one who could do it, and he 

 might try to get one. At his wits' end, the captain now went 

 back to General Escobedo, from whom he returned, after about 

 half an hour, with an escort of six men. The General had re- 

 ceived him very badly, and said he would put him under ar- 

 rest if he could not compel me to go. He had orders to bring 

 me to Santa Rosas at the foot of the Sierra Gorda, and to place 

 me there in the diligence for San Luis Potosi. 



1 saw now that nothing more could be done, and commenced 

 packing, when a servant of the Emperor came with a messa^^e 

 that he wanted to see me immediately. I requested the cap- 

 tain to let me write a few lines to the Emperor, but this was 

 refused, and the servant sent out of the room. 



I caused the captain to send to Escobedo for permission to 

 take leave of my husband, which was refused also. Then I 

 wanted to write to him, and was at last permitted to send off a 

 few lines, which the captain dictated to me, and which were 

 delivered to my husband. Salm did not understand anything 

 of the whole business, and sent me rather a peremptory note 

 commanding me to come and see him. 



When I was ready with my packing I stepped into the car- 

 riage, followed by my girl, Jimmy, and a small trunk. Some 

 time before Colonel Villanueva had arrived ; I had given him 

 the two cheques, which he promised to return to the Emperor, 

 whom he would see immediately, and also my husband. 



I suppose the Colonel transmitted some order to the cap- 

 tain, and when I had taken my place, and the coachman was 

 just going to start, he told the man to drive to head-quarters. 



As soon as I heard that I jumped right over my maid, and 

 trunk, and Jimmy, out of the carriage, and declared that I 

 would not go there : that I did not want to see Escobedo 

 again, and be exposed to his sneering remarks and those of 

 his officers. If the General wished to see me, he nught come 



