A long time was spent in inactivity on the part of the government troops, until at last, after some slight brushes, Tizimin was evacuated by its garrison, and again occupied by Iman, who, finding himself with no other resource, bethought himself of enlisting the sympathies of the Indians, by offering them a discharge for the future from the religious contributions paid by them. This leader, who was destitute himself of talent and instruction, and in every respect a very common man, could not foresee the influence this would have on the contest; but the most well informed men in the country knew its importance, and feared ultimately a re-enactment of the bloody scenes of St. Domingo. Numbers of Indians flocked to Tizimin, and contributed, with their persons and such small means as they possessed, to the maintenance of the struggle. Supplies of cattle, turkeys, fowls, corn, &c., were carried by them to the general, as they styled Iman, and the means thus furnished him of sustaining himself. The government, at last aware of the real importance of quelling in time this movement, made every exertion, and a division of about six hundred men marched for Tizimin, under the command of Colonel Roquena. This officer, who is said to possess talent and bravery, but who exhibited neither on this occasion, attacked the place on the 12th of December, in solid column, marching directly to the point, without an effort to outflank, select a weak point, or cut off the retreat of the enemy. The whole column was held in check in a narrow road before a common stone barricade for nearly six hours. After losing about fifty men, one of the companies carried the place at the point of the bayonet, and the rest of the division then marched into the place. The defenders retreated, almost without loss or pursuit, just as at San Fernando, and a pompous description was given of the brilliant victory.