Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/369

Rh surprised the President in his bed, and took him prisoner. Our first information was a message, arriving on the part of the government, desiring the attendance of our two old soldiers, who put on their old uniforms, and set off quite pleased. Next came our friend Don M del Co, who advised us to haul out the Spanish colors, that they might be in readiness to fly on the balcony, in case of necessity. Little by little, more Spaniards arrived with different reports as to the state of things. Some say that it will all end in a few hours—others that it will be a long and bloody contest. Some are assured that it will merely terminate in a change of ministry—others, that Santa Anna will come on directly and usurp the Presidency. At all events, General Valencia, at the head of the government troops, is about to attack the pronunciados, who are in possession of the palace. . . ..

The firing has begun! People come running up the street. The Indians are hurrying back to their villages in double-quick trot. As we are not in the centre of the city, our position for the present is very safe, all the cannon being directed towards the palace. All the streets near the square are planted with cannon, and it is pretended that the revolutionary party are giving arms to the léperos. The cannon are roaring now. All along the street, people are standing on the balconies, looking anxiously in the direction of the palace, or collected in groups before the doors, and the azoteas which are out of the line of fire, are covered with men. They are ringing the tocsin—things seem to be getting serious.