56 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



and that I had no necessity for remaining. I had a 

 strong curiosity to see a city taken by assault, but, un- 

 fortunately, I had not the least possible excuse. I had 

 my passport in my hand and my mules were ready. 

 Nevertheless, before I reached Don Pedro's house I 

 determined to remain. The captain had his sword and 

 spurs on, and was only waiting for me. I told him the 

 news, and he uttered an exclamation of thankfulness 

 that we were all ready, and mounted immediately. I 

 added that I intended to remain. He refused ; said 

 that he knew the sanguinary character of the people 

 better than I did, and did not wish to see an affair 

 without having a hand in it. I replied, and after a 

 short controversy, the result was as usual between two 

 obstinate men : I would not go and he would not stay. 

 I sent my luggage-mules and servants under his charge,, 

 and he rode off, to stop for me at a hacienda on the 

 road, while I unsaddled my horse and gave him an* 

 other mess of corn. 



In the mean time the news had spread, and great ex- 

 citement prevailed in the city. Here there was no 

 thought of flight ; the spirit of resistance was general. 

 The impressed soldiers were brought out from the pris- 

 ons and furnished with arms, and drums beat through 

 the streets for volunteers. On my return from the Gov- 

 ernment House I noticed a tailor on his board at work ; 

 when I passed again his horse was at the door, his sob- 

 bing wife was putting pistols in his holsters, and he was 

 fastening on his spurs. Afterward I saw him mounted 

 before the quartel, receiving a lance with a red flag, 

 and then galloping off to take his place in the line. In 

 two hours, all that the impoverished city could da 

 was done. Vigil, the chief of the state, clerks, and 

 household servants, were preparing for the last strug- 



