Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/193

Rh a successful defence, repaired to the capital with seventy soldiers of his regiment who remained loyal to the service. When Trujillo was sent to oppose Hidalgo's advance, Iturbide obtained permission to accompany him, and thus he found himself afloat on his ambitious career.

Meanwhile the two armies approach, and one must give way before the other. But first it is destined that they fight. Trujillo, having arrived at Toluca, sent forward a detachment to occupy the bridge of Don Bernabé over the River Lerma and intermediate between Toluca and Ixtlahuaca whither Hidalgo had arrived. On the 27th the royalist leader moved forward his troops with the intention of attacking the insurgents at the latter place, distant nine leagues, but