198 CUAUTLA AMILPAS. 



The probable consequences flashed upon my mind, 

 and doubtless upon those of my companions. Having 

 done what we couid to avoid the quarrel, we were now, 

 as men will be when urged to desperation, one and all, 

 fully determined to sell our lives dear; for — though I 

 cannot doubt, even outnumbered as we were, that the 

 superiority of our weapons would have enabled us to 

 clear the courtyard of our adversaries in the first in- 

 stance — we could not fail to have been ultimately over- 

 powered and massacred, such was the spirit of detesta- 

 tion to our persons which now blazed forth without 

 disguise, in the menaces of our opponents. As to law 

 and justice, name them not ! I have since shuddered to 

 think how many lives hung upon the lifting of a single 

 arm, and the striking of a single blow ; and we all owned, 

 the following morning, when riding out of the town, that 

 to God's providence alone we could ascribe the fact that 

 we were enabled to do so in peace and safety. 



The flight of Dona Dolores, which followed the entry 

 of the guard, and the preparations for fight, was by no 

 means a disadvantage, for she was the maiq cause of the 

 alfray having taken this serious aspect; and as neither 

 party seemed inclined to strike the first blow, a little 

 time was gained for reflection, which terminated with 

 the gradual retirement of our principal foes ; their exam- 

 ple was followed by the guard, after a rude denial of 

 our right to bear arms, and an attempt to compel their 

 being given up, which I need not say was unsuccessful. 

 As to the order of the poor old alcalde, they laughed it 

 to scorn ! 



When the intruders had retired, the gates were again 

 shut, and each party slunk to their quarters. We had 

 for some time abundant proofs that the quarrel was nei- 

 ther forgotten nor forgiven ; and though we slept as 

 usual, we may be excused for having made arrangements 

 for instant self-defence, should it have been necessary ; 

 and we neither undressed nor disarmed. To have shut 

 the door, and thus to have made a citadel of our quarter,, 

 would, as there was no window, have been to turn it into 

 "a black hole." 



