Part 35 (2/2)
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 princ.i.p.al 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, while Trujano was besieged in Huaj.a.pam, and Morelos was in Cuautla, at the distance of only two or three days' journey, the Mexican general was entirely ignorant of the situation of the ex-muleteer! Even a month after Morelos had evacuated Cuautla, and retired upon Isucar, the position of his compatriot still remained unreported to him. Fortunately Trujano had learnt the whereabouts of the general, and had despatched a messenger to him demanding a.s.sistance.
Enclosed as Huaj.a.pam was by the enemy--who guarded every approach with the strictest vigilance--it seemed impossible that any messenger could make his way through their lines. Several days had pa.s.sed since the man--an Indian--had gone out of the town; but whether he had succeeded in safely reaching Morelos' camp, or whether he might be able to return with the answer, were questions of prime importance to the plans of Trujano.
On that same day in which the council of war was held in the Spanish camp, Trujano had ordered a ma.s.s to be performed--specially devoted to prayer for the return of his messenger. It was in the evening, the hour succeeding twilight, that this ma.s.s was held; and all the population of the town, including the soldiers, was a.s.sembled in the public piazza, which was illuminated by torches of _ocote_, although the moon was s.h.i.+ning brilliantly above. A church, whose dome was shattered with bombs, and rows of houses in ruins, surrounded the square. The temple in which the offering was made was the Piazza itself, and the roof was the starry canopy of the sky. There, under the red glare of the torches, might be seen the a.s.sembled people of Huaj.a.pam; the priests who a.s.sisted at the ceremony in their robes, covering a military garb underneath; the women, children, and aged, grouped around the walls of the houses; the soldiers, in ragged uniforms, with guns in hand; and the wounded seated upon doorsteps with b.l.o.o.d.y bandages--having dragged themselves thither to take part in the sacred ceremonial.
Profound silence reigned throughout the Piazza.
On the appearance of a man who advanced into the centre of the square, his countenance calm, and his eye beaming with religious enthusiasm, every head was uncovered, or bent in obeisance. This man was Trujano.
Stopping in the midst of the mult.i.tude, he made sign that he was about to address them. The silence, if possible, became more profound.
”Children!” he commenced in a sonorous voice, ”the Scripture saith, 'except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.' Let us pray, then, to the G.o.d of battles to watch with us!”
All bent down at the summons, the speaker kneeling in their midst.
”This evening,” said he, ”we celebrate ma.s.s for a special purpose. Let us pray for our messenger; let us pray to G.o.d to protect him on his journey, and grant him a safe return. Let us sing praises to that G.o.d, who has. .h.i.therto preserved from evil the children who have trusted in Him!”
The speaker then intoned the verse of the well-known psalm--
”His truth shall be thy s.h.i.+eld and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon day.”
After each verse of the psalm, the people repeated--
”Lord have compa.s.sion upon us! Lord have mercy upon us!”
The devout Colonel, as if he expected that G.o.d would show him some signal mark of his favour, in more emphatic tone chanted the verse--
”I will deliver him because he hath known My name; I will protect him because he hath loved Me.”
And as if in reality the Divine interpretation had been granted, the messenger at that moment appeared entering the Piazza!
The man had seen Morelos, and brought back the glad news that the insurgent general would instantly place his army _en route_ for the relief of Huaj.a.pam.
Trujano, raising his eyes to heaven, cried out--
”Bless the Lord! oh, bless the Lord, all ye who are His servants!”
He then proceeded to distribute the supper rations--giving them out with his own hands--after which the torches were extinguished, and the besieged betook themselves to sleep, trusting in Him who never slumbers, and whose protection was to them as a s.h.i.+eld and buckler.
CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
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