Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/266

246 tied down with colored handkerchiefs, mounted on mules or horses. The sumpter mules followed, carrying provisions, camp-beds, &c.; and various Indian women trotted on foot in the rear, carrying their husbands' boots and clothes. There was certainly no beauty amongst these feminine followers of the camp; especially amongst the mounted Amazons, who looked like very ugly men in a semi-female disguise. The whole party are on their way to Tacubaya, to join Santa Anna! The game is nearly up now. Check from two Knights and a Castle; from Santa Anna and Paredes in Tacubaya, and from Valencia in the citadel. People are flying in all directions; some from Mexico, and others from Guadalupe and Tacubaya. . ..

It appears that Santa Anna was marching from Puebla, feeling his way towards the capital in fear and trembling. At Rio Frio a sentinel's gun having accidently gone off, the whole army were thrown into the most ludicrous consternation and confusion. Near Oyotla, the General's brow cleared up, for here he was met by commissioners from the government, General Orbegoso and Guyame. In a moment, the quick apprehension of Santa Anna saw that the day was his own. He gave orders to continue the march with all speed to Tacubaya, affecting to listen to the proposals of the commissioners, amusing them without compromising himself, and offering to treat with them at Mexicalsingo. They returned without having received any decided answer, and without, on their part, having given any assurance that his march should not be stopped; yet he has been permitted to