230 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



A Public Execution. 



The very unusual circumstance of a public 

 execution took place a few days before I left 

 the city ; the crime was robbery and sacri- 

 lege : two persons had been convicted of it 

 about a year since, but their punishment had 

 been delayed till this particular time. 



About eleven o'clock they left the prison of 

 the palace, (together with an accomplice, who 

 was sentenced to imprisonment and to witness 

 the execution of his companions), preceded 

 and accompanied by a strong military guard 

 of horse and foot, the officers of justice, and 

 many hundred persons, bearing ornamental 



