Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/198

182 in a direction opposite to Iturbide's line of march. When the royalist officer had pushed forward half way up to the summit, he suddenly came in contact with Allende's force, and a brisk engagement followed, which resulted in the repulse of Allende. The disaster sustained by Bringas, however, and the exposure to the enemy of Trujillo's manœuvre by this skirmish, caused the royalist leader to recall Iturbide. Where upon the insurgents rallied and took possession of the height.

Trujillo's position was now hopelessly exposed; in fact, he was completely surrounded. On his right the piece of artillery planted by Allende on the abandoned height was in a position to enfilade his ranks; a large force of the enemy lay between him and the capital; on his left was Aldama now strongly reënforced, and with two pieces of artillery mounted in a commanding position; while in front Mendívil was not only himself severely wounded, but many of his most efficient men were slain or hors de combat, and his artillery ammunition was exhausted. It was now about three o'clock in the afternoon, and the insurgents had pushed on down the heights on Trujillo's left so near that the combatants were at speaking distance. At this juncture the royalist leader perpetrates an act which places him before the world for ever in his true character of villain, and enshrouds his memory with lasting infamy. The insurgents, masters of the position as they feel themselves to be, invite the royalist troops to join their cause; and so