interrogatory was addressed to a big, hulking fellow, chief of the
turnkeys, who looked all Acordada.

"_Por cierto, Senor Gobernador_," he rejoined with a significant look,
after giving the prison salute to his superior. "I know all about it."

"See, moreover, that they be kept all day at it; that's my orders."

"Sure will I, Senor," was the compliant rejoinder.

After which the man twitted with turning his coat, turned his back upon
the place where he had been so ungraciously received, going off to more
agreeable quarters.

"Now, gentlemen!" said the gaoler, stepping up to the door of the cell,
"_Por las zancas_!"

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

TYRANT AND TOOL.

_El Excellentissimo Illustrissimo General Don Jose Antonio Lopez de
Santa Anna_.

Such the twice sesquipedalian name and title of him who at this time
wielded the destinies of Mexico. For more than a quarter of a century
this man had been the curse of the young Republic--its direst, deadliest
bane. For although his rule was not continuous, its evil effects were.
Unfortunately, the demoralisation brought about by despotism extends
beyond the reign or life of the despot; and Santa Anna had so debased
the Mexican people, both socially and politically, as to render them
unfitted for almost any form of constitutional government. They had
become incapable of distinguishing between the friends of freedom and
its foes; and in the intervals of Liberal administration, because the
Millennium did not immediately show itself, and make all rich,
prosperous, and happy, they leaped to the conclusion that its failure
was due to the existing _regime_, making no account or allowance for the
still uncicatrised wounds of the body politic being the work of his
wicked predecessor.

This ignorance of political cause and effect is, alas! not alone
confined to Mexico. There is enough of it in England, too, as in every
other nation. But in the earlier days of the Mexican Republic, the
baneful weed flourished with unusual vigour and rankness--to the benefit
of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and the blight of his country. Deposed
and banished so many times that their number is not easily remembered,
he was ever brought back again--to the wonder of people then, and the
puzzle of historians yet. The explanation, however, is simple enough.
He reigned through corruption that he had himself been instrumental in
creating; through militarism and an abominable _Chauvinism_--this last