Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/261

Rh lives were lost. The opportunity for plunder sought for by the saramullos has arrived. With the exception of the burning of the gallows, also situated in the plaza, none of the lower classes appear to have taken part with the natives in the work of destruction, but there is little doubt that they were the chief instigators in the matter. Almost simultaneously with the burning of the palace the adjacent stalls are set on fire.

And now follows a scene which no pen can fully describe. It is between seven and eight o'clock, and the spacious plaza is made as light as day by the conflagration. Filling the plaza and adjoining streets, the maddened populace may be seen surging to and fro in dense masses like an angry sea, and above the roar of the flames rise hoarse shouts of exultation as the work of destruction goes on. Few Spaniards are visible. From the palace corridors, with despairing form and features, the archbishop and his attendants gaze in silence, while on the outskirts of the plaza groups of citizens watch in speechless terror the progress of the conflagration. Suddenly the cry is raised, "To the stalls!" "To the stalls!" and the human sea surges in that direction. The places where hardware was sold are first attacked, and knives, machetes, and iron bars secured, the last named for defense as well as for breaking open doors. And now let chaos come; innocent and guilty, friend and foe, are one; robbery and rape, fire and blood; the people have become raving maniacs! As fast as the houses are broken open and robbed the torch is applied. Gradually the infuriated yells sink to a low murderous hum of voices, interrupted only by the crash of falling buildings. Rapidly the flames spread, and by the lurid light may be seen the dusky forms of the rioters flitting in and out and among the buildings, or disappearing in the darkness laden with plunder.

A singular phase of riot and robbery now presents itself. Among the rabble are many owners of stalls