Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/281

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MEXICO IN 1827.
253

and that with such precipitation, that only five of the whole number were killed. A general dispersion ensued, by Mina's own order, who appears to have been too thoroughly disgusted with his new associates, to hope ever to effect any thing with their assistance; nor is it known what line he intended to take, had time been allowed him for deliberation. This, however, was not the case. On quitting Guanajuato, accompanied only by a very small escort, he took the road to the Rancho del Vĕnădītŏ, in the direction of the Hacienda of La Tlăchĭjēră, which belonged to Don Mariano Herrera, a friend whom he probably wished to consult with regard to his future plans. He arrived at the Rancho on the 26th, and resolved to pass the night there, conceiving it impossible that Orrantia should have received intelligence of his route, as he had purposely avoided all beaten roads. His intentions, however, were discovered by a friar, whom he met at a little Indian village through which he passed, and who instantly conveyed the news to Orrantia, who detached, on receiving it, a party of five hundred horse, which invested the house at day-break on the 27th, and, after dispersing Mina's escort, seized the General himself, in the act of rushing out of the house, unarmed, and almost undressed, in order to ascertain the cause of the confusion without. Don Pedro Mŏrēnŏ, the Commandant of Sŏmbrērŏ, was taken at the same time, and immediately shot.

Mina was conveyed pinioned to Ĭrăpŭătŏ, where