Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-11-29
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CHAPTER XVI


always an immense advantage over the
government they are attacking, from the
fact that, as they hold together, know
their numbers and act In accordance with
long worked out plan, they are not
only cognizant of what they want, but
also whittier they are proceeding The
government, on the other hand however
well informed it may be, and however
well on its guard, is obliged to remain
for considerable length of time in an
attitude of armed expectation, without
knowing whence the danger that menaces
1t will come, or the strength of the rebel
lion it will have to combat.
On the other hand, again, as the secret
of the discovery of the plot remains with
small band of confidential agents of
the authorities, the latter do not know
at first whom to trust, or whom to reckon
on. They suspect everybody, even the
very troops defending them, whom they
fear to see turning against them at any
moment, and overthrowing them. This
Is more especially the case in Mexico
and all the old Spanish colonies, where
the governmental system is essentially
military, and is consequently only based
on naturally unintelligent and venal
troops, who are utterly deficient Of pat
riotic feelings, and whom interest alone,
that is to say, pay or promotion, can keep
to their duty.
The President Of the Republic had been
Informed of the designs of the general,
as far as that was possible; he had
known for more than a month that vast
plot was being formed; he even was
aware of the probable day fixed for the
pronunciamento, but he did not know a
syllable about the plans arranged by Don
Sebastian and his adherents. As the plot
was 10 Durst out in Mexico the President
had filled the capital with troops, and
called in those on whose fidelity he
thought he could reckon with the greatest
certainty.
But LIS preparations were necessarily
restricted to this, and he had been con-
strained to wait till the revolution COM
menced.
1t burst forth with the suddenness of
a peal of thunder at twenty places sim
ultaneously, at about the second hour of
the tarde. The President, who was at
once informed, and who had only come
to the circus in order not to be invested
In the government places, instantly took
the measures he thought most eficacious
The news, however, rapidly arrived,
and became worse and worse, and the in
surrection was assuming frightful proper
tions. The revolters at first tried to
install themselves on the Plaza Mayor
in order to seize the government palace,
hnt haip1 rapuload With loro q
very serious contest, they ambuscaded
themselves in Tacuba, Secunda, Monte
rilla and San Agustin streets, erected bar
ricades and exchanged sharp fire with
the faithful troops.
The cannon ;roared in the square and
the balls made large gaps in the ranks
of the insurgents, who replied with yells
of rage and increased firing.
Colonel Lupo had taken possession of
two city gates, which he burned down,
and through which fresh re-enforcements
reached the insurgents, who now pro-
claimed themselves masters of one-third
of the city The foreign merchants, es-
tablished in Mexico, had hoisted their ma
tional flags over their houses, in which
they remained shut up and suffering great
anxiety.
The President was still standing mo-
tionless in the center of the circus. frown-
ing at each new message, or angrily strk-
ing the pommel of his saddle with his
clenched fist. All at once a man glided
secretly between his horses legs and gent
ly touched his boot. The general turned
round quickly.
"Ah!" the general exclaimed, on recog-
nizing him. "At last Well, Curumilla 2"
But the Indian, without answering,
thrust folded paper into his hand and
disappeared as rapidly as he had come.
The general eagerly scanned the letter,
which only contained these words, writ
ten in French: "All Is going on well.
Charge vigorously"
The generals face grew brighter, he
drew himself up haughtily, and brandish-
ing his sword with a martial air, shouted
In a voice heard by all: Forward, Mu-
chachos p
Then, digging his spurs into his horses
sides, he galloped out of the circus, fol-
lowed by the greater part of the troops,
the remainder receiving orders to hold
their present position until further warn
Ing.
"Now," said the President to the Off
GERS who pressed round him, "the game is
won within an hour the insurrection will
be conquered"
In fact matters had greatly altered.
This is what had occurred:
Valentine, as we said, had taken a
house in Tacuba street, and another in
the vicinity Of the San Lazaro gate.
During the night that preceded the pro-
nunciamento, 400 resolute soldiers, COM
manded by faithful officers, were intro
duced into the house in Tacuba street,
where they remained so well hidden that
no one suspected their presence. A SINH
lar number Of troops were slowed away
In the house at the San Lazaro gate.