ee 
A PETTY CIVIL WAR. ‘ 103 
selves by discharging their guns at peoss 
upon the people in the streets. These drav 
as I was afterwards informed, belonged to the 
bishop’s party, or that of the “Escoceses, which © 
was openly at war with the liberalists, anti- 
hierarchists, or Yorkinos, and were resortin 
to this summary mode of proceeding, in order 
to bring about a change of affairs; for at this 
time the liberal party had the ascendency i in 
the civil government of Durango. 
Being somewhat curious to have a nearer 
view of what was going on, I walked down 
past the church, towards a crowd which was 
assembled in a plaza beyond. This move- 
ment on my part was rather inconsiderate : 
for pe ee were in extremely bad odor 
with the belligerents; nor had I mingled with 
the multitude many minutes, before a sober- 
looking citizen plucked me by the sleeve, and 
advised me, if I valued my two ears, and did 
not wish to have my career of usefulness cut 
short prematurely, to stay within doors. Of 
course I needed no further persuasion, and 
returned at once to my lodgings, where I 
made immediate preparations for a speedy 
departure. As I was proceeding through the 
streets soon afterward, with a cargo of goods, 
I received, just after leaving the SaMoeitephte, 
a very warm salutation from the belligerents, 
which made the dust start from almost under 
my very feet. The cargadores who were car- 
rying my packages were no doubt as much 
fichtened as myself They supposed the 
reason of their shooting at us to be be- 
