THE CALL TO ARMS.
Ta ra ra! Ta ra ra!
The trumpets are blowing,
And thrice hath their brazen notes pealed.
To battle! to battle the soldiers are going,
To conquer or die on the field.
On, soldiers! brave soldiers, who venture your lives
You fight for your country and sweethearts and wives.
Ta ra ra! Ta ra ra!
The drums roll like thunder,
And women's tears falling like rain.
For lovers! for lovers are parted asunder,
Till victory crowns the campaign.
On, soldiers! brave soldiers go forth to the fray,
And close with the foe in their battle array.
Ta ra ra! Ta ra ra!
The banners are flying,
And horses prance proudly along,
For women! for women are bitterly crying,
As passes the red-coated throng.
On, soldiers! brave soldiers! soon homeward you'll ride,
Encircled with bay leaves and greeted with pride.
At this eventful moment of its history, Cholacaca woke from its slumber
of years, as did the Sleeping Beauty from her century sleep. No more
the lethargic life, the indolent enjoyments, the languorous dreamings
in an enchanted city. A sharp breath of war from the north swept away
the sedative atmosphere; the thunder of the cannon roused Tlatonac to
unexampled excitement. Rebellion and preparation for invasion at
Acauhtzin, indignation and preparation for defence, for punishment in
the capital of the Republic. In these days of alarm and danger, the
city resembled one vast camp, and the descendants of the
Conquistadores, the posterity of the Mayas, proved themselves to be not
unworthy of their glorious traditions, both Spanish and Indian. It was
a turning-point in the history of the Republic.
The two persons most desirous for the speedy commencement of this
fratricidal war were Tim and Don Rafael: the former as he wished
information for his journal, the latter because he was burning to
revenge the insults and indignities to which he had been subjected by
the rebels at Acauhtzin. Jack was rather dismayed at the near prospect
of hostilities, fearing lest harm should result therefrom to Dolores at
the hands of Don Hypolito, or those of the Forest Indians. For their
part, Philip and Peter assumed a neutral position, the one from
indolence, the other because he was entomologically engaged. What was
the hunting of men compared with the hunting of butterflies, the
capture of rebels with the capture of rare beetles? No, Peter preferred
science to war.
The loss of the fleet was a great blow to the strength of the
Government, as it, comparatively speaking, placed the capital at the
mercy of the rebel, Xuarez. Communication between the two places was
only possible by water, owing to the roughness and savagery of the
interior, so the Government were unable to march their troops to
Acauhtzin, and nip the rebellion in the bud. On the other hand, as soon
as Xuarez had completed his plans, he would doubtless come south with
his ships and bombard Tlatonac from the sea. Most of the city being
built on the hill, topped by the vast fabric of the cathedral, offered
considerable advantages to the besiegers, and as their vessels would
keep well out of the range of the forts, it would be difficult to
silence their guns.
From this point of view the outlook was certainly not encouraging, but
the Junta did its best by every possible means to guard against
possible contingencies. The army was drawn up in the Plaza de San Jago,
and reviewed by the President in person. He made a brilliant speech,
reminded the troops of their glorious predecessors, who had thrown off
the yoke of Spain, implored them not to disgrace the Flag of the Opal,
and promised them a speedy victory over these audacious rebels if they
would but be true to their leaders. The troops received this patriotic
oration with acclamation, cheered the brave little man at the
conclusion of his address, uncovered to salute the flag of Cholacaca,
and swore, one and all, to leave no rebel alive in Acauhtzin or
elsewhere. It was a scene of tremendous excitement, and patriotism was
at fever-heat in Tlatonac the whole of the day.
The great banner of the Republic, only seen on special feast-days, was
on this occasion brought forth from the Treasury by order of Gomez and
displayed to the troops. It was truly a gorgeous flag. Composed of
yellow silk, covered with featherwork, after the manner of the Aztecs,
it glittered in the sunlight like a vast jewel. The sacred stone in the
centre was represented by a cluster of real opals from Queretaro, and
the red, green, blue, and yellow rays therefrom were composed of ruby,
emerald, turquoise and topaz stones. It was the sacred ensign of
Cholacaca, the palladium of the Republic, and in the estimation of the
inhabitants was held to be as sacred as the holy standard of the
Osmanli. When its splendours streamed in the warm air, with flash of
feather and glitter of jewel, a shout arose from soldiers and civilians
alike which might have been heard at Acauhtzin. With that flag waving
over them the Tlatonacians could not think of anything but victory.
"It is like the standard of Harold at the Battle of Hastings," said
Philip, looking at the splendid flag. "It is to be hoped it will not
bring Gomez such bad luck."
"Not a bit of it, my boy," replied Tim, who was busy with his
inevitable note-book. "We're going to be the death and glory lads this
time, anyhow."
"You quite identify yourself with the Government, I see, Tim," remarked
Peter, who was standing by the caleza of Doña Serafina.
"What!" shouted Tim, playfully, "have we a traitor here? Away with ye,
Peter, or I'll stick a pin in you, like one of those butterflies you're
so fond of impaling. Don't I come of a fighting family myself."
"Is the Señor Correspoñsal angry?" asked Dolores of Jack, in alarm.
"No, Señorita; he is patriotic. His nation always make a noise when
they grow patriotic. Sing the 'Wearing of the Green,' Tim," he added,
in English.
"By St. Patrick! 'tis the 'Opal Fandango' I'll have to learn, sir. Be
quiet, Jack. The troops are marching past the saluting-point."
The great standard was waving over the heads of the Presidential staff,
near which were the Maraquando party and their friends. Don Miguel
himself was with His Excellency, mounted on a fiery steed, which he
managed with the consummate ease of a practised rider. The band was
playing the "March of Zuloaga," in allusion to the hero who had founded
the Republic. To its stirring strains the troops marched past, saluting
Gomez and his officers as each regiment came abreast of the flag.
The Plaza de San Jago, a vast clear space used for the parade-ground of
the Cholacacan army, was quite filled with the troops, as there could
not have been less than two thousand present. This was not the full
power of the army, for Janjalla, Chichimec, Puebla de los Naranjos, and
many of the inland towns, were garrisoned with troops. Already messages
had been sent to the commandants of these outlying garrisons to march
with their full strength of men to the capital, but as yet they had not
arrived, and the two thousand soldiers present in the great plaza
represented all the men at the immediate disposal of the Government.
It was a splendid sight to see these soldiers marching past the
saluting-point, as, with few exceptions, they were a fine body of men.
The uniforms were gaudy, and somewhat fantastical, and each regiment
had its special flag and appellation. There was the Regimiento de los
Pajaros, whose banner, like that of the Republic, was composed of
humming-bird's feathers; the Regimiento de Zuloaga, who marched under
the pictured face of the founder of Cholacaca; the Regimiento de Fray
Medina, bearing the pennant of the Church, embroidered with the
cathedral of which that monk was the builder; and many others, all
looking ready and fit for work in the field. The eyes of the President
flashed with enthusiasm as file after file of men ranged past and the
inspiriting music of the "Zuloaga March" added not a little to the
patriotism of his feelings.
"Xuarez is already conquered," he said to Maraquando, who rode beside
him. "He can oppose no troops to ours."
"With the exception of the Regimiento de Huitzilopochtli, which is at
present at Acauhtzin and has doubtless embraced his cause."
"True, Señor, and he also will stir up the Indians!"
"I do not care for the Indians," replied Maraquando, quietly, "they
cannot stand against troops armed as ours. If he attacks Tlatonac by
land he will be beaten, but Xuarez is too crafty to venture so rashly.
He has the fleet, and will blockade the city."
"Let him do so," retorted Gomez, in a fiery tone; "we do not depend on
foreign countries for our food. He cannot starve us out."
"True enough; but while he has the fleet he can prolong the war to an
indefinite period. Unless we can march our troops to Acauhtzin, and
crush him at his head-quarters, there is no way of bringing the
rebellion to a conclusion."
"And we have no ships! Carambo! It is unfortunate. But no matter. The
Republic is rich; she has money! We will send for ships of war, for
guns, for engineers, and sooner or later will invest Acauhtzin. Then
Xuarez will meet with the fate he deserves."
At this moment the crack cavalry regiment of Cholacaca passed proudly
by, with waving plumes and prancing horses. Deprived of his ship by
Xuarez, Don Rafael had asked for and obtained a commission in this
corps, and was now riding at the head of his men with his brother
officers. Accustomed from childhood, like all American Spaniards, to
horses, he had no difficulty in exchanging the deck for the saddle, and
looked a gallant figure as he dashed past on his fiery mustang.
"Egad, Jack, we must enlist also, like Don Rafael," said Philip, gaily,
as they saw the young man gallop past. "Doña Dolores," he added,
turning to her, "we are going to become soldiers."
"In the Regimiento de las Señoritas!" exclaimed Doña Eulalia, clapping
her hands.
"What, señorita! A regiment of women?"
"Oh no!" interposed Doña Serafina, with a fascinating smile; "it is a
corps raised in the last war by the ladies of Tlatonac. See! here come
the valiant ones."
"Foot soldiers!" said Jack, in disgust, as the regiment filed past;
"no, Doña Serafina. Nothing less than a cavalry corps will suit us."
"But can Don Pedro ride, Señor?"
"What's that about me?" asked Peter, overhearing his name.
"Doña Serafina wants you to enlist," explained Philip, maliciously.
"No," replied Peter, firmly; "I will physic the soldiers, and cut off
their legs and arms; but I am a man of peace, and I will not enlist."
"You little duffer!" said Tim, reverting to his school-boy phraseology,
"we'll make you doctor of the regiment. I'd like to enlist myself, but
the editor would never hear of such a thing. It's my walking ticket I'd
be getting if I did."
"Well, Philip and myself shall enlist," observed Jack, brightly. "You,
Peter, shall attend to us when we are wounded, and Tim shall cover us
with glory in the columns of _The Morning Planet_. He shall be the bard
to celebrate our deeds."
This scheme was explained to the ladies and found much favour in their
sight. In fact, the whole female population of Tlatonac was seized with
a violent attack of "scarlet fever," and no one who was not a soldier
found any favour in their eyes.
"You will be as valiant as the Cid," said Dolores, looking tenderly at
Jack from behind her black fan.
"With you to smile on me, I can scarcely be a coward," he replied, in a
low tone so as not to reach the vigilant ears of the duenna. "I will
ask His Excellency for a commission in your cousin's regiment."
"And you also, Don Felipe," said Eulalia, vivaciously. "El Regimiento
del Caballeros is the finest in the army. You would look so well in the
uniform." She flashed a bewitching look at Philip, which sent that
young man's blood spinning through his veins. He had quite given up
fighting against his fate, and was fathoms deep in love. Doña Eulalia
could use her eyes with great effect, and Philip had now surrendered at
discretion. It is only fair to say that the victress took no undue
advantage of her conquest. Indeed, Philip did not know yet if she
returned his love. Eulalia was a born coquette, and he was terribly
afraid lest she should be only amusing herself. This enlistment in the
army might clinch the matter, and induce her to smile on his suit.
"For your sake, I will play the bear," he whispered, alluding to a
foolish custom of the Cholacacans whereby a young man walks up and
down in front of the window of his beloved like a bear.
"No; I do not care for you to play the bear, Señor. Fight in the
regiment of my brother, and when you return victorious--well, who
knows?"
Philip looked, Eulalia smiled significantly. They thoroughly understood
one another, in spite of Doña Serafina and the restrictions of
Cholacacan courtship. Eyes can speak as eloquently as can tongues, and
are quite as intelligible--to the initiated.
"Kismet!" muttered Philip, as he went off the parade-ground with the
ladies and his friends; "it is, written."
"What is written?" asked Peter, who was always overhearing what was not
meant for his ears.
"Your marriage to Doña Serafina," laughed Philip, promptly; whereat the
doctor shook his head.
"A man can't marry his grandmother."
Philip said no more; but returned to the side of Doña Eulalia, who had
placed herself as far away from her duenna as was possible. This
precaution was scarcely needed, as Doña Serafina had eyes for no one
but Peter. She had not yet given up all hope of marriage, even at the
mature age of five and forty. Peter was young and innocent; therefore
Doña Serafina selected him as her victim, and under the guise of
teaching him Spanish, strove to entangle him in her elderly meshes. Her
eyes were still brilliant, and long experience had taught her how to
use them. It was so much waste time as regards Peter. He was so
impossible.
On leaving the Plaza de San Jago, the troops marched to their several
quarters in the forts, and his Excellency the President went to inspect
the defences of the city. Tlatonac was completely girdled by strong
stone walls, and defended by heavy metal cannon, so that in the event
of a sortie, particularly by a horde of naked Indians such as Xuarez's
force would be, there was but little doubt that the invaders could be
easily repulsed with great slaughter. As regards a land attack from the
interior, this was well enough, but if Xuarez bombarded the town there
was no doubt that he could speedily reduce Tlatonac to a heap of ruins.
Gomez trusted to the impassable forests between the capital and
Acauhtzin to protect him from an inland invasion, and as the sea-forts
were defended by heavy guns, hoped to cripple the ships of the enemy
before they could do much harm.
The forts defending the coast were therefore the most important in his
eyes, and, after examining the interior defences, he rode down to the
sea front to inspect the preparations for keeping the ships of Xuarez
beyond bombarding distance of the town. Thanks to English engineers,
and a lavish outlay of money, the forts were superb pieces of
workmanship; and their lofty walls frowning over the bay, with the
muzzles of guns protruding from their embrasures, promised a difficult
task to the invaders.
Between the two principal forts was the gate of the town, which opened
into a low stretch of land covered with fishing-huts, through which a
road ran down to the wharf. _The Bohemian_ was lying close under the
guns of the city, so that in the event of their being discharged, she
would sustain no damage; and as His Excellency rode out of the city
gate, his eyes rested admiringly on the beautiful little craft.
Only momentarily, however, for at that instant a cry burst from the
lips of his aide-de-camp; and Gomez looked seaward.
"_The Pizarro!_" he cried in surprise.
It was indeed the old ship of Don Rafael, which was steaming slowly
southward, a white flag fluttering at her mainmast head. Rafael uttered
an ejaculation of rage, and Gomez turned his horse to ride back into
the city, not knowing with what intentions the war-ship had come.
"One moment, Señor," said Tim, catching the President's horse by the
bridle; "the vessel has a white flag, so she has come with a message
from Acauhtzin."
"Por Dios, we do not treat with rebels, Señor Correspoñsal."
"Do not be rash, Excelencia. It is as well to know all these dogs have
to say. See! they are lowering a boat."
This was indeed the case. A quarter of a mile from the shore, _The
Pizarro_ cast anchor, fired three guns with blank cartridge, and
then the boat already lowered was seen pulling straight for the wharf.
"Bueno! Señor Correspoñsal," said Gormez, sorely against his will; "let
it be as you say. We will wait here for their leader. But I am sorely
tempted to order the forts to open fire on that boat."
"A mistake, Excelencia," interposed Maraquando at this moment; "we are
civilised people, and must observe the rules of war. Besides," he added
significantly, letting his eyes rest on Tim, "have we not here the
Correspoñsal? and all we do he will write off to England."
"Bueno!" said the President again; "we will wait."
The thunder of the cannon had brought a tremendous crowd to the walls,
and down on to the beach. From the Presidential staff up to the gate,
was one black mass of people, heaving with excitement. All kinds of
rumours were flying from lip to lip. _The Pizarro_ had come to bombard
the town, and her consorts were now on their way for the same purpose.
The vessel had returned to its allegiance, and had brought Xuarez to
Tlatonac for punishment. All were disturbed, startled, puzzled, and
watched with lynx eyes the little boat with the white flag at its stern
now drawing steadily near to the wharf.
"What's up now, Tim?" asked Philip, pushing his way through the crowd.
"A message from Don Hypolito, no less," replied Fletcher, without
turning round. "See! he is standing up in the boat. Be Jove! it's a
priest."
"It must be Padre Ignatius," cried Jack, who had a remarkably keen
sight. "He went up to Acauhtzin, on some Church business, a week or so
ago. Shovel-hat, white hair! Carambo! It _is_ Padre Ignatius!"
The name of the priest speedily became known, and the crowd cheered,
for the Padre was well known in Tlatonac. Gomez swore.
"Carrajo! He sends the Padre to make terms!"
"Terms with those dogs!" cried Don Rafael, stamping his foot.
"Excelencia, I would hang them all."
"Como, no!" muttered the President, his fingers closing viciously on
the bridle-rein; "but we will hear what the Padre has to say."
By this time the boat had reached the wharf, and Padre Ignatius, nimble
as a young man, sprang up the wooden steps leading from the water. The
moment he was out of the boat it turned seaward again, and before the
onlookers could recover from their surprise, the oars were flashing in
and out of the waves as it sped back to the war-ship. A roar of rage
burst from the lips of all.
"Por Dios!" swore Maraquando, livid with wrath, "they have only landed
the Padre, and now take themselves out of danger. Order the forts to
open fire, Excelencia!"
Gomez had only to throw up his hand and the cannon would vomit fire.
Knowing this, Jack stepped up impulsively to the President.
"Be not hasty, Señor, I beg of you. See, the Padre carries a white
flag! He brings a message from Xuarez! First hear what it is, and then
decide."
His Excellency moved uneasily in his saddle, and bit his nether lip. He
would dearly have liked to have pounded the rebel war-ship into
matchwood for her insolent daring in thus defying the Government of
Cholacaca, but he could not but see that such an extreme measure would
be impolitic. Therefore he restrained his rage, and waited the approach
of the Padre, who was now near at hand. Gomez, a true son of the
Church, uncovered as the priest paused before him. The Padre raised his
hand in token of benediction, and the staff also uncovered. With the
atheistical opinions now prevalent in Cholacaca they would not have
done this for any priest save Padre Ignatius, who was much beloved by
rich and poor. As for Tim, he had his note-book out, and a greedy
little pencil, ready to take down every word of the forthcoming
conversation.
"Vaya usted con Dios Excelencia!" said the Padre, gravely. "I come from
Acauhtzin--from Don Hypolito Xuarez, with a message to the Junta."
"A message to the Junta from rebels, Reverend Father?"
"It is my duty to prevent this fratricidal war, if possible," replied
Ignatius, mildly. "I have spoken with Xuarez, and have persuaded him to
send me hither with a message of peace."
"And that message?"
"Cannot be spoken here, my son. Let us go to the Palacio Nacional!"
"By all means, my father. Will you not ride thither. One of my officers
will give you his horse."
Three or four of the officers at once dismounted, and begged Padre
Ignatius to mount; but he refused their offers gently with a wave of
his hand.
"No, my children. I will walk thither. Ride on, Excelencia I will be
with you soon."
"But _The Pizarro_, Padre!"
"Will lie off there till my message is delivered and the answer given.
If the terms are accepted, one gun will be the sign; if refused, two
guns, and the war-ship will return to the north."
"Ah!" said Gomez, with a meaning smile, as he turned his horse's head
towards the gate, "they are afraid to trust themselves in the lion's
mouth."