130 DON JOSIE ARTALEJO. 
The Junta Departamental, or State Council, 
of which Sefior Artalejo was an influential 
member, was convened the following day. 
Meanwhile, every American I met with ex- 
pressed a great deal of surprise to see me at 
liberty, as, from the excitement which had 
existed in the city, they expected I would 
have been lodged in the safest calabozo. I 
was advised not to venture much into the 
streets, as the rabble were very much incensed 
against me; but, although I afterwards wan- 
dered about pretty freely, no one offered to 
molest me; in fact, I must do the ‘ sovereigns 
of the city’ the justice to say, that I was never 
more politely treated than during this occa- 
sion. Others suggested that, as Trias was one 
of the most wealthy and influential citizens 
of Chihuahua, I had better try to pave my 
way out of the difficulty with plata, as I could 
stand no chance in law against him. To this, 
however, I strenuously objected. I felt con- 
vineed that I had been ordered back to Chi- 
huahua mainly for purposes of extortion, and 
I was determined that the oficiales should be 
disappointed. « I had unbounded confidence 
in the friendship and integrity of Don José 
Artalejo, who was quite an exception to the 
general character of his countrymen. He 
was liberal, enlightened and honorable, and I 
shall ever remember with gratitude the warm 
interest he took in my affair, when he could 
have had no other motive for befriending me 
except what might spring from the conscious- 
ness of having periormed a generous action. 
a) 
