Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/384

364 moral and political, are governed entirely by that which best suits his own advantage. . ..

The Count de B, Secretary to the French Legation, mounted his horse last evening, and like a true young Frenchman, set off to pay a visit to a pretty girl of his acquaintance; passing through the most dangerous streets, and particularly conspicuous by his singular dress, good looks, and moustaches. He had not gone far, before he was surrounded by some dozen of léperos with knives, who would no doubt have robbed and dispatched him, but that, in tearing off his sarape, they discovered his uniform, and not being very skilled in military accoutrements, concluded him to be an officer on the part of the government. They being on the federalist side, hurried with their prize to the palace, where he was thrown into prison, and obliged to remain until some of the officers came to see the prisoner, and recognised him, much to their astonishment.

We are now going to dine with what appetite we may, which is generally pretty good.

Ten o'clock, —We ventured out after dinner to take a turn in the direction opposite the city, and met various parties of ladies who, as they cannot use their carriages at present, were thankful to escape from their temporary and crowded dwellings, and were actually taking exercise on foot; when we were encountered by people full of the intelligence, that the great attack on the palace is to be made this evening, and were advised to hurry home. We were also assured that a party of Iéperos, headed by their longbearded captain, an old robber of the name of Castro,