Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/205

Rh been blamed for his three days of inactivity here; he has been called too slow, too careful, too fearful, a dreamer and no soldier, and, when advised, too obstinate; some think Allende should have had supreme command. It is easy to criticise. A man must be judged according to means and conditions. His associates urged that the inhabitants would arise and assist them. Some had so arisen, it is true, but there were few hopes held out thus far from the direction of the capital, and these very officers, who were loudest in their desire to advance, railed most contemptuously of all against Hidalgo's rabble army, as worse than none. In the capital were men, money, arms, and ammunition; even if they had few soldiers just then, the whole city would fight before they would see it sacked. He had few real soldiers, few men who could be relied upon; he had few and poor arms, and his store of ammunition was wellnigh exhausted. He was still further dis couraged by the contents of a despatch intercepted by his followers. It was the duplicate of Venegas' instructions to Calleja to hasten to his support. He was now fearful of being caught between two opposing armies. In vain Allende advocated an immediate advance on the city. Hidalgo, with cooler and truer judgment, knew that it would not do. Better find more soldiers, drill his men, and practise for a time on a less formidable foe; and so after lingering another day at Cuajimalpa, Hidalgo moved away.