On the morning of October 16th he reached the mission before day with two attendants, heard mass, had coffee with the fathers, and left again in safety.

The smallness of his following we may suppose to have been reported.

He was scarce gone, at least, before Becker had armed men at the mission gate and came in person seeking him.
The failure of this attempt doubtless still further exasperated the consul, and he began to deal as in an enemy's country.

He had marines from the _Adler_ to stand sentry over the consulate and parade the streets by threes and fours.

The bridge of the Vaisingano, which cuts in half the English and American quarters, he closed by proclamation and advertised for tenders to demolish it.