cast back the insinuation with that resentment which such gratuitous cruelty deserves.
We have no hesitation in believing that we are far more anxious to reach the city of Mexico than yourself; where we may be placed in the hands of the high functionaries of your government, whose regard for the pledged faith and "magnanimity," of the nation, it is hoped, will deal with us in a far different manner than has been your pleasure.
Had it been our wish to escape, we had ample opportunities eight hundred miles nearer home to do so; but this we could not do without a violation of our words and honour, which we are taught in our nation to hold inviolable.
|
|
From the reiterated promises of General Ampudia in Matamoras, we believed that when we reached Mexico we would be able to negotiate terms advantageous [210] to our fellow-prisoners, and we gave him our word that we would cheerfully go there in such hope. Though frequent opportunities of escape presented themselves previous to this time, we were influenced not only by the word we had pledged, but by the ardent desire of serving with our presence our countrymen at the capital. I know that no fear of consequences to myself, and I believe the same of Colonel Fisher, would have induced a forfeiture of our word. On the other hand, we did not believe the colonel commanding overly-anxious to reach the city. The daily news we met of revolution in that quarter certainly did not hurry him forward any.
After we had written the above note to the colonel, we gave it to the sergeant of the guard to be delivered. He returned in an hour, bringing back the note, with an excuse for not doing so.
March l3th. We were permitted to hire three worn-out pack-mules to help our party on, and started without breakfast. Five leagues distant we were marched into a corral, while the officers of the regiment were eating their dinner in the buildings. We sent out money to purchase something to eat, and just as it was about to be brought in, the bugle sounded the march. No breakfast, and after five leagues' rapid march, no dinner, put us all in ill humour: a hungry man can feel very ill; some swore, while the more religious would clinch their teeth in silence, their dilating nostrils showing that they [211] felt no better than those who gave expression to their feelings. As we were marched forth from our cow-pen, the colonel rode out of the court of the building immediately to our left. This was the first opportunity I had for delivering the letter which the sergeant refused to do the night previous. I passed through the line of guards and presented him the note. In the act of doing so, Dr. Shepherd said, "That is right, general, give it to the old scoundrel:" he received it, and read but
|