Page:Our Sister Republic - Mexico.djvu/238

232 condition; exhausted, disheartened, and with his great, weak lips trembling so that he could hardly command his speech, he asked Col. Green not to let him fall into the hands of General Escobedo, of whom he stood in mortal terror, but to point out General Corona and allow him to surrender to him. Col. Green said to him:

"Calm yourself; the Emperor of Austria has sent a commission to ask the American Government to intercede for your life!"

Maximilian apparently greatly relieved by the information, replied:

"And my brother has done this?"

By this time—all had passed in a few seconds—General Corona had reached the spot, and going straight up to him, Maximilian said:

"I am Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico." (drawing his sword and presenting it;)

"I am the Emperor no longer, but a Mexican citizen, and your prisoner?"

Corona replied:

"No, Maximilian, you are not now Emperor, and never were!"

He then motioned to a subordinate to receive his sword, refusing himself to accept it, or make any terms of surrender, and referring him, altogether, to General Escobedo, his superior in command. Lopez now ordered the Austrians and others in his command, to disarm, and the work was complete.

The story that Lopez sold out to Escobedo for seventy thousand dollars, in coin, is in a measure rebutted by the facts that the Republicans had not a dollar to pay him; that he has not been known to have a dollar since; and that there was no need of such a bribe, as all chance for successful resistance was gone, and the