h that fervour with
which the mariner implores the protection of God against the fury of the
storm.

It must be acknowledged that these dispositions were somewhat droll and
eccentric. They were prudent, however; since the followers of the
insurgent chieftain, thus continually kept in occupation, had no time to
become discouraged. If provisions were becoming scarce, they knew
nothing about it. No curious gossips were permitted to explore the
magazines, and report upon their emptiness. No indiscreet tongue was
allowed to talk of approaching starvation. This arrangement could only
lead to one of two issues: either the besiegers must destroy the last
man in Huajapam, or themselves abandon the siege.

During more than a hundred days, as already stated, this strange
condition of things existed in the town; and in all that time only one
attempt had been made from without to relieve the place. This was by
the insurgent leaders, Colonel Sanchez and the priest Tapia. The
attempt had proved a failure; but even that did not shake the constancy
of Trujano and his followers. The discouragement was altogether on the
side of the Royalists.

Among the besieged perfect confidence was placed in their leader--a
truly extraordinary man--one in whom were united the most brilliant
qualities, and even those of a kind that are rarely found existing
together.

Never did he permit the ardour of his courage to interfere with the
prudence of his plans; and never did he advance them too hastily to
maturity. Brave almost to rashness, he nevertheless calculated minutely
the chances of a combat before commencing it. His frank open
countenance had something so winning in it, that all freely yielded up
their secret thoughts to him, while no one could penetrate his.

His gentleness towards his soldiers, tempered with a due measure of
justice, had the effect of gaining their obedience by love rather than
fear. An indefinable charm, in short, emanated from his person, which
excluded all idea of disobedience to his will.

It may here be observed that at this period of the Mexican Revolution
(1812), the Spaniards were in possession of all the resources of
administration--the posts, and express couriers, with the principal
highways of the country. The insurrectionary forces were in scattered
and isolated bodies, either besieged in towns or pursued among the
_sierras_. Bearing these facts in mind, it will not be wondered at,
that although,