another artillery regiment. Generals Diaz and Reyes were at once released with other prisoners, the citadel was seized with a valuable reserve of ammunition and other stores, and the revolt had begun in earnest.
The Mexican Sunday was in full progress as the troops swung into the great square followed by a cheering populace. The churches were emptying themselves, and the people were looking forward to the afternoon festivities which mark the Mexican "day of rest." As Reyes led his cavalry into the square, he observed that an infantry regiment was already occupying it, and he either thought that they were friendly or that they did not intend to offer any resistance. The cavalry and infantry faced one another, and for a good twenty minutes no hostile sign was given, crowds of people walking up and down between the two bodies of men and engaging in conversation with them. All at once a sharp order was given, the infantry raised their rifles to their shoulders, and fired at the mixed masses of cavalry and civilians in front of them. Simultaneously, two machine guns which had been mounted on the roof of the palace belched forth their leaden stream, cutting down scores of helpless men, women, and children. Reyes himself was killed instantaneously. The square was a bloody shambles, containing more than a thousand dead and wounded ere five minutes had passed. The survivors fled in wild panic, nor would any return to succour the wounded and dying. Night fell, and prowlers from Mexico's rookeries slinked into the square to rob the dead—nor did any man stay their hand.
At this time, Madero was at the Presidential residence of Chapultepec and, when he was apprised of these doings, he rode into the city at the head of his guard. At the national palace he met General Huerta, who was still, ostensibly at least, faithful to him. About midnight, he motored to Cuernavaca, where he met Zapata, a brigand chief, whom he attempted to bribe with the object of procuring his assistance and that of his followers. In this,
