Page:The Fall of Maximilan's Empire.djvu/69

Rh It was seven o'clock in the morning when the "Elizabeth's" barge was seen coming back towards the anchorage. Rounding-to alongside the "Tacony," the tall, athletic form of the Austrian aide-de-camp stepped over the gangway, and raising his cap received in silence the greeting of the American commander. "The Imperial Governor is a traitor" he finally exclaimed. "He is a traitor, and my Prince put him there." The two captains retired to the little cabin to breakfast, and it was there-the story was told. It had been a violent and stormy night at the palace. Count von Gröller had made his propositions, had argued for their acceptance, had pleaded with passion as the only hope of saving the Prince's life. The Governor remaining inflexible and deaf to all entreaties, he had finally demanded the surrender of the city and defences on the one simple condition offered. Hot and high words ensued, and swords were drawn, peace only being restored through the interference of the attendants in the palace. But the effort failed. The name of the fallen emperor was now insufficient to arouse the loyalty of his own officer. The attempt had been gallantly made, but was unsuccessful.

In the light of subsequent revelations it seems more than probable that the proposition, if it had been made by Bureau, would have been rejected by President Juarez, as Vera Cruz, as well as the city