The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-12-12

CHAPTER XVI.

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
4 government, on the other hand, however
well informed it may be, and however
well on its guard, is Obliged to remain
for a considerable length of time in an
attitude of armed expectation, without
knowing whence the danger that menaces
it 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
a small band of confidential agents of
the authorities. the latter do not know
ar 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, md 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 q month that a vast
plot was being formed; ne 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 pursr out in Mexico. the President
had filed the capital with troops, and
called in those on whose fidelity he
thought he could reckon with the greatest
certainty.
But his 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
lions. The revoters at first tried to
install themselves on the Plaza Mayor
in order to seize the government palace,
but being repulsed with loss, after a
very serious contest, they ambuscaded
themselves in Tacuba, Secunda, Monte
rilla and San Agustin streets, erected bar
ricades and exchanged a 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 strik-
ing the pommel of his saddle With his
clenched fist. All at once q man glided
secretly between his horses legs and gent
" touched his boot. The general turned
round quickly.
"Ah y the general exclaimed, on recog-
1izing him. AT last Well, Curumilla ?"
But the Indian, without answering, '
hrust a folded paper into his hand and t
isappeared as rapidly as he had come. {
The general eagerly scanned the letter, q
which only contained these words, writ $
en- in French: "All is going on well b
Charge vigorously" t
The generals face grew brighter, he I
rev himself up haughtily, and brandish- D
ng his sword with martial air, shouted d
n a voice heard by all: Forward, Mu- f,
hachos -
Then, digging his spurs into his horses W
ides, he galloped out of the circus, fol- ',
,wed by the greater part of the troops,
ne remainder receiving orders to hold .,
leir present position until further warn te
,g. OF
"Now," said the President to the Off a.
,rs who pressed round him, "the game is to
on; within an hour the Instruction will in
conquered" sa
In fact matters had greatly altered. de
his is what had occurred: ly
Valentine, as we said, had taken a
,use in Tacuba street, and another in tn
e vicinity of the San Lazaro gate. MI
uring the night that preceded the pro- we
inciamento, 400 resolute soldiers com sol
anded by faithful officers, were intro res
ced into the house in Tacuba street,
lere they remained so well hidden that hir
one suspected their presence A SINH
number of troops were slowed away Be
the house at the San Lazaro gate. tin
Don Martial, at the head of large
iy of men, slipped into the small house VIII
onging TO the capataz, and, being warn bel
by the latter so soon as the general
gone off to attend the review, he pass the
into his mansion through the masked VIII
IT we know, and occupied it without niz
liking a blow. can
The Tigrero straightway set a trap, in resi-
ich several of the principal chiefs of slig
insurgents were caught and made pris- I
RS. -
These three points occupied. they wait the
Colonel Lupo had attacked the San 'alt
.aro gate so vigorously and unexpect- ave-
:, that it was impossible to prevent :"