Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/225

Rh latter — who had been in the pueblo jail, had personal grievance against Victoria, and were ashamed of their companions' cowardice — made a dash against the foe before retreating. José María Ávila was at the head of this party, and he first met Pacheco, whom he shot in the back with a pistol as the two horses were carried past each other by their impetus, after mutually parried thrusts of sword and lance by the respective riders. Pacheco fell dead with a bullet in his heart. Ávila now rushed upon Victoria; Tomás Talamantes was close behind him, and on the other side at least two soldiers defended the governor. Of the ensuing struggle, which probably did not last three minutes, it is not strange that there are many popular versions; but Victoria received several lance-wounds. A soldier was shot in the foot. Ávila after a desperate resistance was unhorsed and killed, shot perhaps by one of the soldiers, and Talamantes, the only one of the pronunciados except Ávila who came into contact with the foe, escaped unhurt. Victoria's men attempted no pursuit, but bore the wounded governor to San Gabriel. Had it not been for his wounds, Victoria would have