Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/265

Rh of which Allende could rightly assume in his position of captain-general, he perceived that the assertion of his superiority over Iriarte would in all probability provoke a mutiny. Of Iriarte's good faith he was more than doubtful; and his own prestige and popularity had seriously diminished, owing to his late discomfiture, as was indicated by the unsuppressed murmurings of the troops. He therefore decided to join Hidalgo at Guadalajara, and on the 12th of December arrived at the city. Hidalgo went out to meet him, with every demonstration of friendship.

That night a band of captive Spaniards was led out into the darkness, marched a few miles from the city to a lonely spot, and there butchered. And on other occasions the same ceremony was repeated.

Meanwhile Calleja was rapidly approaching. The army which Hidalgo now had under his command was far superior to any force which the insurgents had hitherto brought into the field. It numbered no less than 80,000 men, 20,000 of whom were cavalry, with ninety-five pieces of artillery, many of them of heavy calibre. No exertion was spared by the revolutionary leaders to render this large force as effective as