Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/297

Rh soldiers had bound him fast. Then his voice was heard loudly commanding them to march the delinquent to the Accordada without delay.

I could never ascertain what became of the unfortunate rascal subsequently: some were of opinion that he had been shot by the instant orders of Santa Anna; while others expressed their conviction that he was only banished to a distant mine; it is evident; however, that he was never heard of in the city of Mexico afterwards.

But a few months succeeding the abovenamed occurrence; there was to be a grand inspection of the Academy by the President and his staff. The place was to be arranged in the best order for the occasion; the pictures and statues were to be cleaned, the apartments decorated and the recent works of the few pupils and their masters were to be fully exhibited.

Great exertions were made; therefore; to array the institution in its best guise for the event. Every room was thrown into confusion; and statues, which had formerly been regarded with the utmost reverence; were huddled closely together in dark corners for the time being. Paint, water, and the juice of the ammolé; or