Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/241

Rh accept the leadership and provisional presidency, and with a swelling mob at his heels, filling the air with "viva la federacion!" he proceeded to the palace, as the headquarters of the revolutionists. Messengers were sent in different directions to invite support for the movement, especially to Puebla, where numerous sympathizers existed. The bearer of the despatch to this city was incautious, however, and a suspicious innkeeper of Tesmelucan made him drunk, secured his papers, and hurried to Puebla to warn Governor Codallos, who at once took precautions, and moreover, sent reënforcements to Almonte. Ere these could arrive, a number of adherents had come to increase the government forces under command of Valencia, among them the alumni of the military college, who not without some risk made their way past the federalist files, carbines to the shoulder and dragging their small cannon. The youngest were, much against their demands, assigned to garrison the citadel, while the troops marched forth with four field-pieces to take position near the central plaza, where the federalists had occupied not only the palace but all prominent buildings, stationing troops on the roofs and in the spacious towers of the cathedral, and at the approaches. These manœuvres had not been performed without bloodshed. Skirmishing was maintained the whole afternoon, at times with heavy fire, particularly against the palace. As the captive president sat down to dinner, toward six o'clock, a ball crushed through the room, peppering the table with dust and débris. Without betraying the least emotion he continued to serve himself, saying, "I wager our friends do not suppose that we are calmly enjoying our meal." Shortly after another shot struck down by his side the officer charged with his custody.