Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/215

Rh the sole role. It was no longer a matter of mere guns; battery after battery grew silent, and before six o clock almost the whole exterior line had been abandoned, in many cases with the wounded, who could not be carried off under the scathing hail of explosives and debris. Even the interior lines responded feebly, at last with only an occasional sputter, like the gasp of the dying. Most of the ammunition had exploded, and over 200 of the most indispensable men, including four superior officers, had been killed or disabled, leaving the fortress practically defenceless. The sun had set, and soon the gathering gloom interposed between the combatants. The bombardment ceased, and only at intervals for another hour a bomb came crashing in upon the desolation. The French also welcomed the respite, for although not over a dozen of their men had fallen, the vessels had suffered somewhat and needed overhauling. The bustle merely changed in form to active preparations for the morrow, when the battle should begin anew.

Gaona on his side recognized that he was powerless to continue the struggle. The fortress was no longer tenable; and fearing that the enemy might attempt a descent during the night, he resolved to gain time at least by proposing a suspension of hostilities, under plea of collecting the wounded and burying the dead. At the same time he addressed himself to Rincon for instructions. Fearing the responsibility, this general gave the commission to inspect the fort to Santa Anna, who had hurried from his country seat to offer his services against the invaders. A glance convinced him that to prolong the defence there meant purely a