Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/218

198 Anna, who rushed half-clad from his house just in time to escape. Not so the less suspicious Arista, who was caught in his room. The column there upon turned to disable the defences along the south line, and on arrival of the other parties an attack was made on the barracks of la Merced. Here the scattered Mexicans made a stout resistance and main tained a galling fire on the assailants, who suffered greatly. Baudin coming up declared the movement both costly and needless, and ordered a retreat, for it was not his intention to hold the town.

Santa Anna, meanwhile, had kept himself at a safe distance, collecting what troops he could and waiting for the summoned force of Arista. Learning of the retrogade march, however, he thought the moment had arrived to share in the credit earned by the defenders of the barracks, by pretending to chase the French. He came up after the greater part had em barked, and made a valiant dash at the few still left. These had taken the precaution to cover the approach with one of the captured cannon, and as he pressed