The Rebel Chief

se periodical return has gradually brought this hapless country into the extremity to which it is no

ral don Miguel Miramón, who was consequently appointed interim President. The latter, an energetic and most ambitious man, began by governing at Mexico, where

timate interim President; that is to say, for the per

pected, issued a proclamation to the people, came to an understanding with the partisans of Juárez, who, in his quality of Vice President on Zuloaga's abdication, had not recognized the new President, but h

agined he had, and which Congress had sanctioned. He went alone to the house inhabited by Gene

I am going to teach you how a man

ed him to accompany him on a campaign, which he undertook in the interior provinces against t

ed by this feigned resignation, and promised that his desire should be satisfied at the first battle. But one fine morning, Zuloaga and his aides-de-camp, who had been appointed to guard, rather than do him honour, suddenly

he masses. Gifted with an immeasurable ambition, which he carefully concealed beneath the cloak of a deep love for his country, he had gradually succeeded in creating a party, which, at the period of which we write, had grown formidable. The constitutional President organized his government at Veracruz, and from his cabinet instructed his generals to fight Miramón. Although he was not recognized by any power but the United States, he acted as if he were the true and legitimate depository of the national power.

ative party, that is to say, the party of the clergy, large landowners

y, money is needed to wage war, and that was what Ju

nt on the government, the government and metropolis endure the yoke of the provinces, which, when they revolt, stop the subsidies, and place the power in a critical position. Moreover, two thirds of the public fortune are in the hands of the clergy, who take very

s of the partisans of Miramón, Spaniards settled in the country, and generally very rich, and of foreigners of all nations who possessed any worth taking. These guerillas did not restrict their exploits to this; they undertook to plunder travellers and attack convoys: and it must not be supposed that we are exaggerating

dly disapproved by both governments, who feigned on some occasions to act with seve

undered and assassinated the other. Such was the political situation of this hapless country at th

nning to bar the dark blue sky with brilliant beams of purple and gold, a rancho, built of reeds, and resemb

om the Rincón grande, had been changed a short time before into a venta, or inn, for travellers s

or repairing the saddles of the animals, which, separated in troops, were eating their provender of maize placed on pesadas spread out on the ground. A berlin, loaded with trunks and boxes, was standing in a shed by the side of a diligence, which had been forced to stop here, owing to an accident to one

mmoning the travellers. The latter, aroused by his shouts, came out of the venta, half awake, and went to take their places in the coach. They were nine in number, with the exception of two indivi

engers into the vehicle, which was half dislocated by the jolting of the road, was taking up the reins to start, the galloping of horses, accompanied b

ommanded by an alférez, or sub-lieutenant, as poorly attired

uscular man, with a crafty face, sly

he mayoral, "you are starting at

r: he bowed humbly, with a false smile, and answered in a soothing

tunate meeting! I was far from expecting so great a happiness

another duty

nourable an escort. They are coste?os, who do not appear to me at all rich. Beside

e, and go to the deuce

ead of stating as he was ordered, he rapidly g

ive me, have you not, co

e mayoral replied

other, "and what

officer gave an almost imperceptible start at

mistaken,

I see you now." The officer seem

padre, I will take my precau

f a French count, whose trunks fill, up the whole coach. The ot

decided; I wil

me for leaving you, se?or don Jesús, but my pass

then for t

tarted at a pace not very reassuring for those whom it contained, a

e ventero who was engaged in measuring maize for

a Spanish caballer

accompanied by a very young lady, arrived here yesterday a little after sunset, in the berlin which you can see there under

uebla de los ángeles; but they do not seem in any hurry to start: ye

room, and after slightly raising his hat and uttering the usual Ave María Purísima, h

his prime: he was tall and elegant, his features were handsome and noble,

cer; "I heard the few words you addressed to our host: I be

have mentioned is really the one written on the order of which I am the

e health, if I set out at so early an hour. If you have no objection, we will remain a few hours lo

a rough soldier, whose society cannot be agreeable to a lady: be kind enough, therefore, to excuse

en flattered to have you as a guest: it is settled th

, se?or: I repeat that

rated, the old gentleman re-entered the rancho, and the

strolling about, smoking a cigarette, and looking at eve

he latter, instead of imitating the example of his co

onio de Carrera put the horses to the berlin, and

and mantua that it was literally impossible to see an

seated in the berlin, don Antonio turned

you please, se?or lieu

esús

oor of which was closed by a footman who seated himself by the side of

the offic

d the rear guard. The driver lashed his horses, and car

ld ounces given him by don Antonio: "the old gentleman is a worthy man, but unfortunately don Jesús