Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/342

322 Indian allies were also enlisted. Father Jiron had accompanied the embassy from Mexico, and father Ibarra now came down from Nueva Vizcaya. The Jesuits were allowed nine hundred and eighty-four pesos for sacred utensils, and an additional sum for clothing and gifts with which to conciliate the natives.

Just as the army was about to march. Governor Torre was stricken with a serious brain trouble, resulting from past anxiety, and amounting almost to insanity. The viceroy was notified of the calamity, but before any reply was received the governor recovered his health and marched with his men to Huajuquilla, perhaps in July or August. Nothing had been heard from Nayarit; but now came conflicting rumors from dwellers on the frontier respecting the tonati's intentions. Cristóbal Gerónimo, a friendly Cora, was sent forward, but the Nayarits demanded more time before giving any definite reply. In the mean while news of Torre's malady reached the viceroy and orders came north for Count Laguna to take command. Considerable correspondence and delay ensued, and finally the count came to Huajuquilla, where he found that, although the commander was still afflicted at intervals, yet it would cause dissatisfaction for him to assume command, since many of the officers and men had enlisted merely from friendship to Torre. He therefore decided to let the governor go on, but to remain himself as colonel on the frontier to be prepared for any emergency. The little army set out for Nayarit on the 26th of September.

The distance was thirty leagues over a difficult and dangerous way. Fording a large river called Chapalagama and climbing a steep grade they entered El Pinal, where on October 1st they met Gerónimo with a message to the effect that the Spaniards might come to the pass and in a designated spot await further communications. Next day they said mass at Angel de la Guarda, looked from the summit upon the promised land—"fit only for apostates or apostles,"