Page:The Fall of Maximilan's Empire.djvu/73

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
THE FALL OF MAXIMILIAN'S EMPIRE.
65

the "Tacony" secured the necessary escort with led horses, and on the morning of the 20th of May this little cavalcade appeared in Camp Casa Mata, and the almost threadbare subject was again broached to the Mexican commander-in-chief. With perfect courtesy that officer listened to the proposals, and accepted them in substance, stating in writing the basis of a negotiation into which he was willing to enter. Up went the peaceful emblem of a truce to the "Tacony's" mast-head, and for three days hostilities were suspended,—only to be renewed again, in consequence of Bureau's failing to meet his adversary as agreed.

Rumors of various kinds, probably shaped to meet the occasion, had reached him, and he alleged that he was not satisfied as to the truth of the report of Maximilian's capture, and would need further confirmation of the fact. Such confirmation probably did not fail to reach him, but with the stubbornness that had characterized his whole line of conduct he clung to the city and to the custom-house, until it dawned upon him somewhat suddenly that he had delayed capitulation too long; that the Foreign Legion of mercenaries had reached such a stage of discontent as to be hardly controllable. He therefore addressed repeated and urgent solicitations to the two consuls to visit him once more. They finally acceded to his request, and he declared his willingness now to accept the terms that had been