Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/528

512 to his charge. After abandoning Uruapan and Tancitaro as untenable, he was overtaken in September by Negrete, in the barrancas of Araparícuaro, and his men dispersed with loss of guns and baggage. Assisted by Delgado and Rosales, he again mustered 1,000 men, only to fall in anew with his pursuer, and repeat the previous performance, with greater loss than before.

Verdusco now proceeded to Ario, where soon nearly all of the leaders in the province assembled, including Muñiz, Carbajal, Rosales, Montaño, and Sanchez, with a force of fully 15,000 men very fairly armed. So large a reunion could not be without an object, and it was but natural that this should correspond to the magnitude of the representation. It was proposed to attempt the capture of Valladolid, by which the control of the entire province would be assured. The moment seemed opportune, for the not very strong garrison, now in charge of Lieutenant-colonel Antonio Linares, had been further reduced by the escort taken by the departing commandant, Trujillo. Aware of Verdusco's lack of prudence, Rayon hastened to bid him await his arrival before undertaking so important an operation; but the prize seemed too glittering and easy of acquisition for surrender to another, and on January 30th, Verdusco appeared before the city with 6,000 men, well provided with cannon, scaling-ladders, and other material. On the following day he prepared for the assault with great deliberation and manifest assurance. Linares, who had called in all the aid possible from the neighborhood, soon discovered the weak points in the position, and by a series of successful