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188 MEXICO. principal inhabitants. Not only his friends, but the mem- bers of the Junta of JauxTlla, whom he consulted upon this occasion, remonstrated strongly against this enterprize, but in vain : Mina's mind was bent upon it, and, on the 24th of October, he succeeded, by secret and well-combined marches, in concentrating his forces at a little mine called La Mina de la Luz, in the very midst of the mountains, and only four leagues from the town, without the Spanish Authorities be- ing in the least aware of his approach. At nightfall, he attacked the gates, which were carried almost without oppo- sition, and his troops penetrated into the very centre of the town; but there, their subordination and courage failed them at once. The men refused to advance ; time was given for the garrison to be put under arms, and no sooner were a few shots exchanged, than Minas division took to flight, and that with such precipitation, that only Jive of the 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, accom- panied only by a very small escort, he took the road to the Rancho del Vcnadito, in the direction of the Hacienda of La Tlachijera, which belonged to Don Mariano Herrera, a friend whom he probably wished to consult with regard to his fu- ture plans. He arrived at the Rancho on the 26th, and re- solved 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 Avho instantly conveyed the news to Orrantia, who detached, on receiving it, a party of five hundred horse, which invested the village at daybreak on the 27th, and, after dispersing Minas escort,