Since the arrival of the Americans in the country, Chélon—as Valle was familiarly called—had been their firm friend; and it was not difficult to secure his co-operation in the movement toward the Meridional Department. He was, however, a warm adherent of Castellon, and the latter could scarcely refuse his permission for Chélon to march with the Falange. But the Director endeavored to dissuade Valle from the enterprise, trying to convince him of the danger to Chinandega from Guardiola, in case the town was left inadequately guarded. As the devotion of the sub-prefect to his family and friends was strong, it required an effort for him to resist the arguments of Castellon; but his hatred to the Legitimists, and his desire to avenge the death of a brother he had lost in the siege of Granada, overcame the logic of the Director. Valle was, however, one of those wavering men easily influenced by persons around them, and it became necessary to fix his determination by leading him to take some active steps in the enterprise. Accordingly Walker decided, near the middle of August, to march the Falange to Realejo, and place it aboard the Vesta. The morning the Americans were to leave Chinandega, and while they were packing the carts for the march, an alarm arose and the rumor flew through the town that Guardiola was a few leagues off on his way to attack the place. The commandant sent a couple of drummer-boys through the streets beating the call to arms; and although it was Sunday, the churches were closed, and the whole town wore the appearance of expecting an immediate assault. Walker, however, thought the alarm was a mere trick, got up by the government, in order to keep the Americans from marching. The general impression about the Falange was that you only had to show them a chance for fighting, to secure their presence at the dangerous point. When the Americans left Chinandega the people who really imagined Guardiola was near the town, gave up to despair, expecting soon to find themselves at the mercy of one their fancies painted as a relentless foe. In a few hours, however, the alarm subsided; and, although Don Pedro Aguirre, the sub-delegado of hacienda at Chinandega, who had shown much attachment to the Americans during their stay there, followed the Falange as far as Realejo, the news of Guardiola still being in Segovia encouraged the old man to remain ashore rather than proceed to the Vesta. As a consequence of this change in his resolution (for he had brought his trunk along, with the idea of going to the brig) Don Pedro was taken with cholera at Realejo, and died there after a few hours’ illness.