/ 



228 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



consented. At two o'clock it was rumoured that Car- 

 rera had joined the Antiguanos. Prem published a de- 

 cree that all males from fourteen to sixty, except priests 

 and persons labouring under physical imbecility, should 

 take up arms. At nine o'clock at night there was an 

 alarm that a party of Carrera's gang was at the Ayce- 

 tuna. The square was garrisoned, and sentinels and 

 cannons placed at the corners of the streets. To add 

 to the excitement, during the night the provesor died, 

 and news was received that the Livingston Code had 

 been publicly burned at Chiquimula, and that the town 

 had declared against Galvez. On Wednesday morn- 

 ing fosses were commenced at the corners of the pub- 

 lic square ; but on Thursday the Marquis of Aycinena, 

 the leader of the Central party, by a conference with 

 the divided Liberals, succeeded in inducing a majority 

 of deputies to sign a convention of amnesty, which gave 

 general satisfaction, and the next day the city was per- 

 fectly quiet. 



At midday this calm proved the forerunner of a 

 dreadful storm. The troops of the Federal govern- 

 ment, the only reliable force, revolted, and with bayo- 

 nets fixed, colours flying, and cannon in front, left the 

 barracks and marched into the plaza. They refused to 

 ratify the convention by which, it was represented to 

 them, Galvez was to be deposed, and Valenzuela, the 

 vice-chief, and a tool of Barundia, appointed in his 

 stead. They refused to serve under any of the opposi- 

 tion, and said they could give protection, and had no 

 occasion to ask it. Deputies were cited to attend a 

 meeting of the Assembly, but they were afraid to con- 

 vene. The officers had a conference with the soldiers ; 

 and Merino, a sergeant, drew up a document requiring 

 the President Morazan to be sent for, and Galvez to 



