The rebellion had now assumed such proportions that it could no longer be trifled with, and Zavala received peremptory orders from the Viceroy to hasten to _Paraguay_ in person, and to send Antiquera to _Lima_ for trial. The latter, now aware of his desperate situation, prepared to defend himself. His followers, however, began to desert him, and in March 1725 he fled from _Paraguay_, and took refuge in a convent at _Cordova_. Thence he proceeded to _Bolivia_, intending to throw himself on the protection of the Audience of _Charcas_. But he was looked upon as a public enemy, and was arrested at _Chaquisaca_, and sent to be tried at _Lima_. He was brought before the Audience, but, although his guilt was patent from the first, it was not until the trial had lasted for several years that he was condemned to be executed. The 5th of July 1731 was the day fixed for his execution. By this time the public feeling had completely veered round in his favour, and, as it was feared a rescue would be attempted, the Viceroy gave orders to fire upon the prisoner. The order was answered by a volley of musketry, and the condemned man and two friars near him fell dead from their horses. After the flight of Antiquera from _Paraguay_, the Jesuits had been permitted to return to _Asuncion_. They were met at the distance of twelve miles from the capital by a procession headed by the governor, the bishop, and the chief civil and military functionaries. But the return of the Jesuits was displeasing to many, more especially to those who had been the partisans of Antiquera. When the governor resigned, the people claimed the right of choosing his successor--a right which in certain emergencies had been granted them by Charles V. When the news of Antiquera’s execution reached _Asuncion_, the indignation of the people manifested itself by their falling on the Jesuits, and expelling them from the city. [Sidenote: 1733.] There were now two declared parties in _Paraguay_. That which was against longer submission to royal authority took the name of _Comuneros_; whilst those who were for the King were called _Contrabandistas_. On the resignation of Governor Barua, the _Comuneros_ improvised a government composed of a _junta_, with a president as the executive head. A hostile collision was now to be feared between the dominant party at _Asuncion_ and the nearest Jesuit “Reductions.” It was averted by the arrival of a new governor, _Don_ Manoel de Ruiloba. Reaching the missions, he sent forward overtures to the insurgents, which so far satisfied them that he was permitted to take possession of the government. One of his first acts was to attempt to disband the _Comuneros_; but this was vehemently resisted; and he found himself in open opposition to the most numerous party in the state. The rebels defied him, and civil war was commenced. In the first action the governor fell.