Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/338

318 made their preparations, partaking of the communion, and stood waiting for the death escort, the former calm and in light converse with his attendants, the others engaged with their confessors. The dreaded hour of three came, and still no signs of a guard appeared. More than an hour later an officer came to announce a postponement of the execution to the 19th — the only concession granted by the government — in order to give them time to settle their affairs. "It is a pity," exclaimed Maximilian, "for I was prepared to finish with life." Whatever may have been his feelings, the order roused false hopes in his friends, and led to another vain appeal for mercy, on the ground that death had already been suffered in anticipation.

Maximilian availed himself of the delay to write additional letters and instructions. The counsel received each a letter of thanks, as did likewise his captive officers, while to Juarez he addressed an appeal to stop further bloodshed, and let his death serve to promote tranquillity. With noble impulse he had begged that his two companions might be spared; and this being refused, he commended Miramon's wife and children to his relatives, Mejía having, with touching confidence, charged his debtor and victor, Escobedo, to care for his son. A large number of persons were remembered in his will; a few trinkets