Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/239

Rh threatening gestures and inflamed eyes regard the building in which the Spaniards left by Hidalgo are imprisoned, and for whose blood they are athirst. As yet, however, they are restrained by the presence of the guard commanded by Captain Mariano Covarrubias. But as Allende and his party turn the corner to take the road leading to the mines, one of them cries out, "Why do you not finish with them?" indicating the captives. The words act on the mob like fire on saltpetre. Under apprehension that Calleja is already at hand, they think only of vengeance, and with wild yells, and clubs and brandished knives, they rush toward the gateway. All efforts to oppose them are useless. The soldier's sword and the priest's entreaty alike fail. Maríano Liceaga, after wounding several of them with his sabre, is stretched senseless on the ground; the cura Juan de Dios Gutierrez and other ecclesiastics are thrust aside; the guard is overpowered; and the maddened crowd throw themselves upon their victims. The work begins, and the alhóndiga again becomes hideous with mutilated corpses, stripped of every shred of clothing. A few of the captives barricade themselves in some of the storerooms, and manage to escape during the temporary dispersion of their