Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/203

Rh placed in its hands his viceregal staff of office, and solemnly hailed it as lady captain-general of the army. The religious fervor of the assembled multitude was unrestrained, and tears of thankfulness from a thousand eyes watered the cathedral floor. The presence of this protecting image greatly allayed the panic, while the soldiery, confident of victory with the queen of heaven on their side, begged for medals stamped with her likeness. The royalists, after the example of Hidalgo, erected a sacred banner, which bore the venerated form of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Thus on the future battle-fields during the war of independence, opposing armies fought under emblems of the same divine interceder for mercy before the heavenly throne.

The excitement and apprehension on the 31st of October was intense throughout the city, and every cloud of dust seen on the road from Toluca was thought to presage the coming of the foe. But the day passed and no enemy appeared. Hidalgo remained inactive, and on the following day sent commissioners with an official communication to the viceroy. Having arrived at Chapultepec, the envoys sent the despatch to Venegas, who was near by, but he peremptorily refused any answer; and in language by no means refined ordered the commissioners to take their departure immediately, under pain of being shot.