Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/312

296 knew by experience that the Mexicans would but badly discharge the executive duties of the place, left the city with his troops. To give time for the necessary organization he encamped on the road of La Piedad, about a cannon shot from the city, where he remained a day and a night. The marshal still entertained a hope that Maximilian would resolve to join him. However, he kept on his guard; for it was not impossible that the ministry, under the influence of irritation, would commit some act of hostility, in the hope of forcing our troops to return to the capital. The next day the sheen of the French bayonets disappeared on the horizon.

General Castelnau's mission was now over. The imperial aide-de-camp proceeded at once to Vera Cruz, to embark in the transatlantic steamer, sailing the 15th of February. He went down by diligence from Mexico as far as the Terres Chaudes. He went, doubtless, to give his sovereign an account of the events which he had witnessed, and of the state of the country generally. It is, however, difficult to understand how he could have been able to enlighten the court of the Tuileries to any useful purpose as to the real spirit of the people; for, excepting his short journey to Puebla, he had not once quitted the capital. General Castelnau is too clear-sighted not to have been struck, at the time he left Mexico, with the hostile feeling manifested by all parties, and especially by the clerical faction, who, impelled by the ministry, endeavoured to incite a demonstration against our flag; the advisers of the crown hoped by this means, either to induce their fellow-countrymen to forget their past alliance with the intervention, or to retard our withdrawal, which, in spite of all that had happened, they looked upon with sorrow; for they felt that the reign of reaction was drawing to its close.