The National tribune., 1899-03-30

strained, they rode slowly and cautiousl.
onwards, their fury gradually abating
and the fears which had been excited b.
the late assault giving place to the hop
that it indicated no general spirit, and M
deep-laid plan of insurrection.
The groups of Mexicans increased
both in numbers and frequency, as tn
Christians proceeded, but still they be
trayed no disposition to make use OF tn
arms which were sometimes seen II
their hands; and the Spaniards, regulat
ing their own conduct by that o. the bar
harians, rode onwards with so pacific al
air, that a stranger, arriving that momen
in the city, might have deemed then
ASSOCIATED together on the most friendl.
terms, and proceeding in company Il
take part in some general festivity.
| Nevertheless, the same stranger wouit
have quickly observed that these friends
besides keeping as far separated as I'M
streets would allow, and even, where tina
was possible, removing from each othef
presence entirely, eyed each other, a
times, with looks of jealousy, which ne
came more marked as the MeHicans grew
more numerous. In truth, the ieelne'
which had so quickly passed from rag'
TO tranquility were now in danger o
| another revulsion: and many an eye wa'
! riveted on the countenance OF the zen
eral, as il to read Il confirmation Oh tit
common anxiety, as, ever ana anon, ~
turned rom Ine prospect ol Hiti'fAeN -.
front, TO the spectacle OF CROWDS gathering
at n distance on The rear.
"All that is needful," whispered, Iathel
than spoke, Don fernando, thoGgn MS
words were caught by every ear, rs tc
trust in God and our sharp spears. lheie
is, doubtless, some idolatrous rite abou'
to be enacted in the temple, which draws
these yarlets thitherward; and the graft
tude with which they remember our ex-
ploitS of this morning will account for
their present hang dog looks. IL they
mean any treachery, such as decoy and
ambuscado, why, by my conscIencel we
must cen allow them their humor,. and
punish them, when tbs made mi niahiaest: r,aes,
| counsel my friends 10 be OF good heart;
for, think, the dogs have had lighting
enough today. Nevertheless, ! Will not
quarrel with any man who keeps MS
hands in readiness, and puts hls eyes
and ears to their proper uses.
As if to set them an example, Don Her
nando now began TO look about him with
redoubled vigilance; and it was remarked
that he paSsed no house without eyeng
it's terrace keenly and StcadfaSuy, as IL
dreading more to discover an enemy IN
such places than in the street. iills was,
i'm fact, situation from which an enemy
might annoy the Spanlards with the
greatest advantage, and at the least riSk.
The houses of this quarter were evil
IDENTIFY inhabited by the rich, perhaps by
the mobiles, of Mexico. They were OF solid
stone, spacious, and frequently OF two
floors, lofty, and their terraces crowned
with battlementS and turrets. Each
stood separated from its neighhor by
little garden or alley, and sometimes by
a narrow canal, which crossed the great
street, and was furnished with a strong
wooden bridge of such width mat hVe
horsemen could pass it at time
Often, too, the dwelling Of some man OF
power stood so far back, as 10 allow the
canal to be carried quite around 1t, with
out infringing upon the street; but more
frequently it was fronted only with a little
bed Of flowers. The stones OF which such
were composed were often
sculptured into rude reliefS representing
huge Serpents, which twined in a fantas
tic and srightfui manner about the WIN
dows and doors, as il to protect them from
the invasion Of robbers. Indeed, these
were almost the only defenses: for the
green bulrusii lying across the threshold
couII deter rome hut Il Mexican from en-
tcring: and. perhaps, none but a bar
barian would have seen, in the string oi
cacao berries, or of little vessels OF earth
cnware, hanging at the door, the bell to
announce his visitation. A curtain COM
monty hung hapEilg at the entrance;
but neither plank nor bar gave security
to the Sanc.ity of the interior.
notwithstanding the fears OF the Cen
eral. he beheld no MexicanS lurking
among the terraces or peering from the
windows, but his anxiety was nottheTless
yoading for that reason; for having now
irawn nigh to the great square, il seemed
% him that he had, at last, thrust him