Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/304

 CHAPTER XXI.

T the end of January, 1867, the bayonets of the French army, in full retreat, stretched out like a ribbon of steel along the dusty road from Mexico to Vera Cruz.

The Austro-Belgian corps went down to the sea, flanked by our troops, to embark the first, in virtue of the promise made to Maximilian. In a few days nothing but a rearguard would be left in the city of Mexico. The environs of the capital were, therefore, already invaded by the insurrection, which came on like the rising tide. The time for fighting was now over for our soldiers. The rebels took care to keep at a long distance off, and out of sight of our outposts, which were, however, well prepared to meet any attack. Could more be required from the Juarists? Ought we to have begun another campaign, to wrest from them