Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/533

Rh, as we have seen, in whose company he sustained another defeat near Puruándiro on April 24th, at the hands of Antonelli. Little resistance was offered, Verdusco escaping on an unsaddled horse, leaving his uniform, baton, and seals of the council. The royalists slaughtered a number, and took nearly a hundred prisoners. Contrary to precedent, Antonelli not only set them free, but gave each a peso with which to reach his home. His generosity met with no great gratitude; for on finding themselves at a safe distance on a hill, they sent back a volley of annihilating epithets. This was the last exploit of the venerable cura and member of the council. He determined to retire for a time. A decree of Rayon removing him as well as Liceaga from the council afterward went into effect. As regards the latter, he was arrested, together with Delgado. Rayon himself made the first advances toward reconciliation; and although not reinstated in any command, Liceaga was allowed to leave for his hacienda near Leon.