The Commander-in-chief Bonavia, the generals of brigade--Caldelas and
Regules--were seated around a table covered with a green cloth, when Don
Rafael entered the marquee. The council had not yet commenced.
"Ah! Colonel," cried Bonavia, addressing Don Rafael, as he entered, "I
understand you have received a message from Del Valle. Is it of a
private nature, or one that may assist the Royalist cause?"
"The lieutenant who commands the garrison of Del Valle informs me that
those two guerilleros, whom both sides now regard as outlaws--Arroyo and
Bocardo, I mean--have returned to Oajaca with their band. I have the
honour to solicit from your Excellency that, after this place is taken,
you will grant me permission to go in pursuit of these brigands, and
hunt them as wild beasts."
"You shall have leave to do so, Colonel. I know no one better qualified
to perform such a duty."
"I can promise your Excellency that no one will set about it with more
zeal, nor follow it up with more perseverance."
The war council was then inaugurated without further delay.
Without reporting all that passed at Huajapam, we shall give a few
details that may render more clear the relative situation of the
besieged and the besiegers at this memorable blockade of Huajapam.
"Gentlemen," began Bonavia, addressing himself to his assembled
officers, "it is now one hundred and fourteen days since we opened siege
upon this paltry town. Without counting skirmishes, we have made
fourteen regular attacks upon it; and yet we are at this hour no nearer
capturing it than we were on the first day!"
"Less nearer, I should say," interposed Regules, when the
Commander-in-chief had ceased speaking. "The confidence of the besieged
has grown stronger by the success of their obstinate resistance. When
we first invested the place, they possessed not a single cannon. Now
they have three pieces, which this Colonel Trujano has caused to be cast
out of the bells of the churches."
"That is as much as to say that General Regules is of opinion we should
raise the siege?"
This speech was delivered by Caldelas in a tone of irony, which plainly
expressed that a certain animosity existed between these two generals.
Such was in reality the fact--a feeling of rivalry having long estranged
them from each other. Caldelas was an energetic officer, brave, and of
undoubted loyalty; while Regules, on the other hand, was noted for
unnecessary severity, while his courage was more than questionable.
"It is just that question I have summoned you to discuss," said Bonavia,
without giving Regules time to reply to the taunt of his rival, "whether
we are to raise the siege or continue it. It is for Colonel
Tres-Villas, who is the youngest of you, and of lowest grade, to give
his advice first. Pronounce, Colonel!"
"When fifteen hundred men besiege a place like Huajapam, defended by
only three hundred, they should either take it, or to the last man die
upon its ramparts. To do otherwise, would be to compromise not only
their own honour but the cause which they serve. That is the opinion I
have the honour of submitting to your Excellency."
"And you, General Caldelas, what is your advice?"
"I agree with the Colonel. To raise the siege would be a pernicious
example for the Royalist troops, and a deplorable encouragement to the
insurrection. What would the brave Commander-in-chief of our army--Don
Felix Calleja--say to our raising the siege? During a hundred days he
besieged Cuautla Amilpas, defended by a general far more skilful than
Trujano--Morelos himself--and yet on the hundredth day he was master of
the town."
"Morelos evacuated the place," interposed Regules.
"What matter if he did? By so doing, he acknowledged himself defeated;
and the Spanish flag had the honours of a successful siege."
It was now the turn of Regules to give his opinion.
He reviewed at full length the delays and difficulties they had
experienced; the fruitless assaults and sanguinary skirmishes they had
made. He argued that it was impolitic to stand upon an empty point of
honour consuming the lives and courage of one thousand soldiers in front
of a paltry village, while Morelos was at that moment marching on the
capital of Oajaca.
"And when I say a _thousand_ soldiers," continued he, "I do not speak
without reason. The Colonel, in speaking of fifteen hundred, must have
counted our dead along with the living. Up to the present time, in all
other parts of the vice-kingdom, our troops have only encountered
enemies, inspired by what they please to designate `love of their
country;' while here, in our front, we have a host of religious
fanatics, whom this droll muleteer, Trujano, has imbued with his own
spirit, and it must be confessed, with his courage as well. It is not
three hundred enemies against whom we are contending, but a thousand
fanatics who fight under the influence of despair, and die with a song
upon their lips. While we are here wasting time in useless attempts,
the insurrection is spreading in other parts of the province, where we
might be profitably employed in crushing it. My advice, then, is to
raise a siege that has been disastrous in every point of view."
"The besieged no doubt recall the exploits of Yanguitlan," ironically
remarked Caldelas. "That is why they defend themselves so well."
At this allusion to Yanguitlan, which will be understood in the sequel,
Regules bit his lips with suppressed chagrin, at the same time darting a
look of concentrated hatred upon his rival.
To the view of the case presented by Regules, the General-in-chief was
disposed to give in his adhesion. Less accessible to mere punctilios of
honour than his younger officers, he saw in the advice of the brigadier
reasons that were not wanting in a certain solidity. Without, however,
availing himself of the full authority of his rank, he proposed an
intermediate course. It was, that on the morrow, they should try one
last and powerful attack; and if that should prove a failure then they
might raise the siege.
While Bonavia was still speaking a singular noise reached the tent, as
if coming from the besieged town. It appeared as a chorus of many
voices intoning some solemn chaunt. This was followed by the clangour
of horns and trumpets, and the explosion of fireworks--as if let off
upon the occasion of a jubilee.
"These rejoicings," remarked Regules, "are an ill omen for us. It is
not to-morrow that the siege should be raised, but this very day."
"That is to say," rejoined Caldelas, "that we should take to flight
before an exhibition of fireworks!"
"Or, like the walls of Jericho, fall down at the sound of trumpets!"
added the Colonel.
"Well," said Regules, "perhaps before long you may learn to your cost
that I have been right."
In spite of his opinion, however, a last assault was determined upon, to
take place on the following morning; and after the plans were discussed
and arranged, Bonavia dissolved the council; and the officers proceeded
to their respective tents.
Don Rafael hastened towards his: he was anxious to be alone. He desired
to indulge in reflection--to ponder upon the meaning of the message he
had received--and above all to caress the sweet ray of hope which had
lately entered his heart, so long desolate and sad.
He did not even deign to lend an ear to the tumultuous rejoicings that
came swelling from the beleaguered town; although the whole Royalist
camp was at that moment occupied with these demonstrations, the soldiers
deeming them, as Regules had pronounced, sounds of sinister import.