236 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



recourse had to the old system of forced loans. This 

 exasperated the moneyed men ; and in the midst of dis- 

 cord and confusion news was received that Quezalte- 

 nango, one of the departments of Guatimala, had se- 

 ceded, and declared itself a separate state. At this 

 time, too, the government received a letter from Car- 

 rera, stating that he had been informed, since his ar- 

 rival at Matasquintla, that people spoke ill of him in 

 the capital, and if they continued to do so he had four 

 thousand men, and would return and put things right. 

 From time to time he sent a message to the same effect 

 by some straggling Indian who happened to pass 

 through his village. Afterward it was reported that 

 his followers had renounced his authority and com- 

 menced operations on their own account, threatening 

 the city with another invasion, determined, according 

 to their proclamations, to exterminate the whites and es- 

 tablish a government of pardos libres, " free tigers," and 

 enjoy in their own right the lands which had devolved 

 upon them by their emancipation from the dominion of 

 the w^hites. To the honour of Guatimala, a single 

 spark of spirit broke forth, and men of all classes took 

 up arms ; but it was a single flash, and soon died away. 

 Again intelligence arrived that Carrera himself had sent 

 out his emissaries to summon his hordes for another 

 march upon the city. Several families received pri- 

 vate information and advice to seek safety in flight. 

 Hundreds of people did so, and the roads were crowd- 

 ed with processions of mules, horses, and Indians 

 loaded with luggage. On Sunday everybody was go- 

 ing, and early on Monday morning guards were placed 

 at the barriers. Hundreds of passports were applied 

 for and refused. Again a decree was published that 

 all should take up arms. The militia were again mus- 



