A MILITARY PATIENT. 



115 



the oldest general in the Mexican service, but for 

 two years an exile in Merida. By the late revolu- 

 tion, which placed Santa Ana in power, his party 

 was uppermost ; and he had strong claims upon our 

 good feelings, for, in a former expatriation from Mex- 

 ico, he had served as volunteer aid to General Jack- 

 son at the battle of New-Orleans. This gentleman 

 had an inward squint in both eyes, which, however, 

 instead of being a defect, gave character to his face ; 

 but his sight was injured by it, and this Doctor Ca- 

 bot thought might be improved. The first eye was 

 cut quickly and successfully, and while the bloody 

 orb was rolling in its socket, the same operation was 

 performed upon the other. In this, however, fear- 

 ing that the eye might be drawn too far in the op- 

 posite direction, the doctor had not thought it ad- 

 visable to cut the muscle entirely through, and, on 

 examining it, he was not satisfied with the appear- 

 ance. The general again laid his head upon the 

 pillow, and the operation was repeated, making three 

 times in rapid succession. Altogether, it was a try- 

 ing thing, and I felt immensely happy when it was 

 over. With his eyes all right and both bandaged, 

 we carried him to a caleza in waiting, where, to the 

 great amusement of the vagabond boys, he took his 

 seat on the footboard, with his back to the horse, and 

 it was some time before we could get him right 



In the mean time the young lady had returned 

 with her mother. She could not bear to lose the 

 opportunity, and though unable to make up her mind 



