Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/341

Rh more than popular feeling at home would permit him to perform. This he realized more and more as the day of meeting with his people drew near, and his companions began to be free in the expression of their views and fears. He became nervous and changeable; intending at first perhaps to fulfil his pledges, else he would hardly have asked for a military force; but finally overcome by his fears, especially when warned by one of his old men respecting the popular discontent and the plots of a rival chieftain, Guamocat. At Jerez he managed to escape from his Spanish escort, and hurried home to explain his policy, regain his impaired influence, and prepare for defence.

Some months were now spent by the governor in preparations at Zacatecas and Jerez, where obstacles were thrown in his way from the first by persons who liked not to hear their old companion addressed as governor and general. These mischief-makers had much to say of the foolhardiness of the expedition; and then raised doubts as to the validity of some of Torre's papers, thus confusing the treasury officials and necessitating a hasty trip of Captain Rioja to Mexico. In June, however, all was declared satisfactory; the proper orders were issued; and after seventeen citizens had raised 40,000 pesos for the depleted treasury, the enlistment flag bearing the holy image of Christ was raised on the 29th of June. One hundred men were to be raised and to receive each four hundred pesos. Captain Rioja enlisted fifty at Zacatecas and Captain Alonso de la Reina y Narvaez another company of fifty at Jerez. One hundred