remember the alamo-第1章

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Remember　the　Alamo　

by　Amelia　E。　Barr



CHAPTER　I。
THE　CITY　IN　THE　WILDERNESS。


　　　　　　　　〃What；　are　you　stepping　westward？〃　　〃Yea。〃
　　　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　*　　　　　*　　　　　*　　　　　*
　　　　　　　　　Yet　who　would　stop　or　fear　to　advance；
　　　　　　　　　Though　home　or　shelter　there　was　none；
　　　　　　　　　With　such　a　sky　to　lead　him　on！〃
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　WORDSWORTH。

　　　　　　　　〃Ah！　cool　night　wind；　tremulous　stars；
　　　　　　　　　　　　Ah！　glimmering　water；
　　　　　　　　　　　　Fitful　earth　murmur；
　　　　　　　　　　　　Dreaming　woods！〃
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ARNOLD。


In　A。　D。　sixteen　hundred　and　ninety…two；　a　few　Franciscan
monks　began　to　build　a　city。　　The　site　chosen　was　a　lovely
wilderness　hundreds　of　miles　away　from　civilization　on　every
side；　and　surrounded　by　savage　and　warlike　tribes。　　But　the
spot　was　as　beautiful　as　the　garden　of　God。　　It　was　shielded
by　picturesque　mountains；　watered　by　two　rivers；　carpeted　with
flowers　innumerable；　shaded　by　noble　trees　joyful　with
the　notes　of　a　multitude　of　singing　birds。　　To　breathe　the
balmy　atmosphere　was　to　be　conscious　of　some　rarer　and　finer
life；　and　the　beauty　of　the　sunny　skiesmarvellous　at　dawn
and　eve　with　tints　of　saffron　and　amethyst　and　opalwas　like
a　dream　of　heaven。

One　of　the　rivers　was　fed　by　a　hundred　springs　situated　in　the
midst　of　charming　bowers。　　The　monks　called　it　the　San
Antonio；　and　on　its　banks　they　built　three　noble　Missions。　
The　shining　white　stone　of　the　neighborhood　rose　in　graceful
domes　and　spires　above　the　green　trees。　　Sculptures；　basso…
relievos；　and　lines　of　gorgeous　coloring　adorned　the
exteriors。　　Within；　were　splendid　altars　and　the　appealing
charms　of　incense；　fine　vestures　and　fine　music；　while　from
the　belfreys；　bells　sweet　and　resonant　called　to　the　savages；
who　paused　spell…bound　and　half…afraid　to　listen。

Certainly　these　priests　had　to　fight　as　well　as　to　pray。　　The
Indians　did　not　suffer　them　to　take　possession　of　their　Eden
without　passionate　and　practical　protest。　　But　what　the　monks
had　taken；　they　kept；　and　the　fort　and　the　soldier　followed
the　priest　and　the　Cross。　　Ere　long；　the　beautiful　Mission
became　a　beautiful　city；　about　which　a　sort　of　fame　full　of
romance　and　mystery　gathered。　　Throughout　the　south　and　west；
up　the　great　highway　of　the　Mississippi；　on　the　busy　streets
of　New　York；　and　among　the　silent　hills　of　New　England；　men
spoke　of　San　Antonio；　as　in　the　seventeenth　century　they　spoke
of　Peru；　as　in　the　eighteenth　century　they　spoke　of　Delhi；　and
Agra；　and　the　Great　Mogul。

Sanguine　French　traders　carried　thither　rich　ventures　in　fancy
wares　from　New　Orleans；　and　Spanish　dons　from　the　wealthy
cities　of　Central　Mexico；　and　from　the　splendid　homes　of
Chihuahua；　came　there　to　buy。　　And　from　the　villages　of
Connecticut；　and　the　woods　of　Tennessee；　and　the　lagoons　of
Mississippi；　adventurous　Americans　entered　the　Texan　territory
at　Nacogdoches。　　They　went　through　the　land；　buying　horses　and
lending　their　ready　rifles　and　stout　hearts　to　every　effort　of
that　constantly　increasing　body　of　Texans；　who；　even　in　their
swaddling　bands；　had　begun　to　cry　Freedom！

At　length　this　cry　became　a　clamor　that　shook　even　the　old
viceroyal　palace　in　Mexico；　while　in　San　Antonio　it　gave　a
certain　pitch　to　all　conversation；　and　made　men　wear　their
cloaks；　and　set　their　beavers；　and　display　their　arms；　with
that　demonstrative　air　of　independence　they　called　los
Americano。　　For；　though　the　Americans　were　numerically　few；
they　were　like　the　pinch　of　salt　in　a　pottagethey　gave　the
snap　and　savor　to　the　whole　community。

Over　this　Franciscan…Moorish　city　the　sun　set　with　an
incomparable　glory　one　evening　in　May；　eighteen　thirty…five。　
The　white；　flat…roofed；　terraced　houseseach　one　in　its
flowery　courtand　the　domes　and　spires　of　the　Missions；　with
their　gilded　crosses；　had　a　mirage…like　beauty　in　the　rare；
soft　atmosphere；　as　if　a　dream　of　Old　Spain　had　been
materialized　in　a　wilderness　of　the　New　World。

But　human　life　in　all　its　essentials　was　in　San　Antonio；　as　it
was　and　has　been　in　all　other　cities　since　the　world　began。　
Women　were　in　their　homes；　dressing　and　cooking；　nursing　their
children　and　dreaming　of　their　lovers。　　Men　were　in　the
market…places；　buying　and　selling；　talking　of　politics　and
anticipating　war。　　And　yet　in　spite　of　these　fixed
attributes；　San　Antonio　was　a　city　penetrated　with　romantic
elements；　and　constantly　picturesque。

On　this　evening；　as　the　hour　of　the　Angelus　approached；　the
narrow　streets　and　the　great　squares　were　crowded　with　a
humanity　that　assaulted　and　captured　the　senses　at　once；　so
vivid　and　so　various　were　its　component　parts。　　A　tall　sinewy
American　with　a　rifle　across　his　shoulder　was　paying　some
money　to　a　Mexican　in　blue　velvet　and　red　silk；　whose　breast
was　covered　with　little　silver　images　of　his　favorite　saints。　
A　party　of　Mexican　officers　were　strolling　to　the　Alamo；　some
in　white　linen　and　scarlet　sashes；　others　glittering　with
color　and　golden　ornaments。　　Side　by　side　with　these　were
monks　of　various　orders：　the　Franciscan　in　his　blue　gown　and
large　white　hat；　the　Capuchin　in　his　brown　serge；　the　Brother
of　Mercy　in　his　white　flowing　robes。　　Add　to　these
diversities；　Indian　peons　in　ancient　sandals；　women　dressed　as
in　the　days　of　Cortez　and　Pizarro；　Mexican　vendors　of　every
kind；　Jewish　traders；　negro　servants；　rancheros　curvetting　on
their　horses；　Apache　and　Comanche　braves　on　spying
expeditions：　and；　in　this　various　crowd；　yet　by　no　means　of
it；　small　groups　of　Americans；　watchful；　silent；　armed　to　the
teeth：　and　the　mind　may　catch　a　glimpse　of　what　the　streets　of
San　Antonio　were　in　the　year　of　our　Lord　eighteen　hundred　and
thirty…five。

It　was　just　before　sunset　that　the　city　was　always　at　its
gayest　point。　　Yet；　at　the　first　toll　of　the　Angelus；　a
silence　like　that　of　enchantment　fell　upon　it。　　As　a　mother
cries　hush　to　a　noisy　child；　so　the　angel　of　the　city　seemed
in　this　evening　bell　to　bespeak　a　minute　for　holy　thought。　　It
was　only　a　minute；　for　with　the　last　note　there　was　even　an
access　of　tumult。　　The　doors　and　windows　of　the　better　houses
were　thrown　open；　ladies　began　to　appear　on　the　balconies；
there　was　a　sound　of　laughter　and　merry　greetings；　and　the
tiny　cloud　of　the　cigarette　in　every　direction。

But　amid　this　sunset　glamour　of　splendid　color；　of　velvet；　and
silk；　and　gold　embroidery；　the　man　who　would　have　certainly
first　attracted　a　stranger's　eye　wore　the　plain　and　ugly
costume　common　at　that　day　to　all　American　gentlemen。　　Only
black　cloth　and　white　linen　and　a　row　palmetto　hat　with　a
black　ribbon　around　it；　but　he　wore　his　simple　garments　with
the　air　of　a　man　having　authority；　and　he　returned　the
continual　salutations　of　rich　and　poor；　like　one　who　had　been
long　familiar　with　public　appreciation。

It　was　Dr。　Robert　Worth；　a　physician　whose　fame　had　penetrated
to　the　utmost　boundaries　of　the　territories　of　New　Spain。　　He
had　been　twenty…seven　years　in　San　Antonio。　　He　was　a　familiar
friend　in　every　home。　　In　sickness　and　in　death　he　had　come
close　to　the　hearts　in　them。　　Protected　at　first　by　the
powerful　Urrea　family；　he　had　found　it　easy　to　retain　his
nationality；　and　yet　live　down　envy　and　suspicion。　　The　rich
had　shown　him　their　gratitude　with　gold；　the　poor　he　had　never
sent　unrelieved　away；　and　they　had　given　him　their　love。

When　in　the　second　year　of　his　residence　he　married　Dona　Maria
Flores；　he　gave；　even　to　doubtful　officials；　security　for　his
political　intentions。　　And　his　future　conduct　had　seemed　to
warrant　their　fullest　confidence。　　In　those　never　ceasing
American　invasions　between　eighteen　hundred　and　three　and
eighteen　hundred　and　thirty…two；　he　had　been　the　friend　and
succourer　of　his　countrymen；　but　never　their　confederate；
their　adviser；　but　never　their　confidant。

He　was　a　tall；　muscular　man　of　a　distinguished　appearance。　
His　hair　was　white。　　His　face　was　handsome　and　good　to　see。　
He　was　laconic　in　speech；　but　his　eyes　were　closely　observant
of　all　within　their　range；　and　they　asked　searching　questions。　
He　had　a　reverent　soul；　wisely　tolerant　as　to　creeds；　and　he
loved　his　country　with　a　passion　which　absence　from　it
constantly　intensified。　　He　was　believed　to　be　a　thoroughly
practical　man；　fond　of　accumulating　land　and　gold；　but　his
daughter　Antonia　knew　that　he　had　in　reality　a　noble
imagination。　　When　he　spoke　to　her　of　the　woods；　she　felt　the
echoes　of　the　forest　ring　through　the　room；　when　of　the　sea；
its　walls　melted　away　in　an　horizon　of　long　rolling　waves。

He　was　thinking　of　Antonia　as　he　walked　slowly　to　his　home　in
the　suburbs　of　the　city。　　Of　all　his　children　she　was　the
nearest　to　him。　　She　had　his　mother's　beauty。　　She　had　also
his　mother's　upright　rectitude　of　nature。　　The　Iberian
strain　had　passed　her　absolutely　by。　　She　was　a　northern　rose
in　a　tropical　garden。　　As　he　drew　near　to　his　own　gates；　he
involuntarily　quickened　his　steps。　　He　knew　that　Antonia　would
be　waiting。　　He　could　see　among　the　thick　flowering　shrubs　her
tall　slim　figure　clothed　in　white。　　As　she　came　swiftly　down
the　dim　aisles　to　meet　him；　he　felt　a　sentiment　of　worship　for
her。　　She　concentrated　in　herself　his　memory　of　home；　mother；
and　country。　　She　embodied；　in　the　perfectness　of　their　mental
companionship；　that　rarest　and　sweetest　of　tiesa　beloved
child；　who　is　also　a　wise　friend　and　a　sympathetic　comrade。　
As　he　entered　the　garden　she　slipped　her　hand　into　his。　　He
clasped　it　tightly。　　His　smile　answered　her　smile。　　There　was
no　need　for　any　words　of　salutation。

The　full　moon　had　risen。　　The　white　house　stood　clearly　out　in
its　radiance。　　The　lattices　were　wide　open　and　the　parlor
lighted。　　They　walked　slowly　towards　it；　between　hedges　of
white　camelias　and　scarlet　japonicas。　　Vanilla；　patchuli；
verbena；　wild　wandering　honeysucklea　hundred　other　scents
perfumed　the　light；　warm　air。　　As　they　came　near　the　house
there　was　a　sound　of　music；　soft　and　tinkling；　with　a
rhythmic　accent　as　pulsating　as　a　beating　heart。

〃It　is　Don　Luis；　father。〃

〃Ah！　　He　plays　welland　he　looks　well。〃

They　had　advanced　to　where　Don　Luis　was　distinctly　visible。　
He　was　within　the　room；　but　leaning　against　the　open　door；
playing　upon　a　mandolin。　　Robert　Worth　smiled　as　he　offered
his　hand　to　him。　　It　was　impossible　not　to　smile　at　a　youth　so
handsome；　and　so　charminga　youth　who　had　all　the　romance　of
the　past　in　his　name；　his　home；　his　picturesque　costume；　and
all　the　enchantments　of　hope　and　great　enthusiasms　in　his
future。

〃Luis；　I　am　glad　to　see　you；　and　I　felt　your　music　as　soon　as
I　heard　it。〃

He　was　glancing　inquiringly　around　the　room　as　he　spoke；　and
Antonia　answered　the　look：

〃Mother　and　Isabel　are　supping　with　Dona　Valdez。　　There　is　to
be　a　dance。　　I　am　waiting　for　you；　father。　　You　must　put　on
your　velvet　vest。〃

〃And　you；　Luis？〃

〃I　do　not　go。　　I　asked　the　judge　for　the　appointment。　　He
refused　me。　　Very　well！　I　care　not　to　drink　chocolate　and
dance　in　his　house。　　One　hand　washes　the　other；　and　one　cousin
should　help　another。〃

〃Why　did　he　refuse　you？〃

〃Who　can　tell？〃　but　Luis　shrugged　his　shoulders　expressively；
and　added；　〃He　gave　the　office　to　Blas…Sangre。〃

〃Ah！〃

〃Yes