remember the alamo-第11章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


his　father's　study。　　A　different　mental　atmosphere　met　him
there。　　The　doctor　was　walking　up　and　down　the　room；　and　Dare
and　Antonia　sat　together　at　the　open　window。

〃Your　father　wants　to　hear　about　our　journey；　Jack。　　Take　my
chair　and　tell　him　what　happened。　　Antonia　and　I　will　walk
within　hearing；　a　roof　makes　me　restless　such　a　night　as
this〃；　for　the　waning　moon　had　risen；　and　the　cool　wind　from
the　Gulf　was　shaking　a　thousand　scents　from　the　trees　and　the
flowering　shrubs。

The　change　was　made　with　the　words；　and　the　doctor　sat　down
beside　his　son。　　〃I　was　asking；　Jack；　how　you　knew　so　much
about　Texan　affairs；　and　how　you　came　so　suddenly　to　take　part
in　them？〃

〃Indeed；　father；　we　could　not　escape　knowing。　　The　Texan　fever
was　more　or　less　in　every　young　man's　blood。　　One　night　Dare
had　a　supper　at　his　rooms；　and　there　were　thirty　of　us
present。　　A　man　called　Faulknera　fine　fellow　from
Nacogdochesspoke　to　us。　　How　do　you　think　he　spoke；　when　his
only　brother；　a　lad　of　twenty；　is　working　in　a　Mexican　mine
loaded　with　chains？〃

〃For　what？〃

〃He　said　one　day　that　‘the　natural　boundaries　of　the　United
States　are　the　Atlantic　and　Pacific　oceans。'　　He　was　sent　to
the　mines　for　the　words。　　Faulkner's　only　hope　for　him　is　in
the　independence　of　Texas。　　He　had　us　on　fire　in　five
minutesall　but　Sandy　McDonald；　who　loves　to　argue；　and
therefore　took　the　Mexican　side。〃

〃What　could　he　say　for　it？〃

〃He　said　it　was　a　very　unjustlike　thing　to　make　Mexico　give
her　American　settlers　in　Texas　two　hundred　and　twenty…four
millions　of　acres　because　she　thought　a　change　of　government
best　for　her　own　interests。〃

〃The　Americans　settled　in　Texas　under　the　solemn　guarantee　of
the　constitution　of　eighteen　twenty…four。　　How　many　of
them　would　have　built　homes　under　a　tyrannical　despotism　like
that　Santa　Anna　is　now　forcing　upon　them？〃　asked　the　doctor；
warmly。

〃McDonald　said；　‘There　is　a　deal　of　talk　about　freedom　among
you　Americans；　and　it　just　means　nothing　at　all。'　　You　should
have　seen　Faulkner！　　He　turned　on　him　like　a　tornado。　　‘How
should　you　know　anything　about　freedom；　McDonald？'　he　cried。　
‘You　are　in　feudal　darkness　in　the　Highlands　of　Scotland。　　You
have　only　just　emigrated　into　freedom。　　But　we　Americans　are
born　free！　　If　you　can　not　feel　the　difference　between　a
federal　constitution　and　a　military　and　religious　despotism；
there　is　simply　no　use　talking　to　you。　　How　would　you　like　to
find　yourself　in　a　country　where　suddenly　trial　by　jury　and
the　exercise　of　your　religion　was　denied　you？　　Of　course　you
could　abandon　the　home　you　had　built；　and　the　acres　you　had
bought　and　put　under　cultivation；　and　thus　make　some　Mexican
heir　to　your　ten　years'　labor。　　Perhaps　a　Scot；　for
conscience'　sake；　would　do　this。'〃

〃And　what　answer　made　he？〃　　He　said；　‘A　Scot　kens　how　to　grip
tight　to　ten　years'　labor　as　well　as　yoursel'；　Faulkner；
and　neither　man　nor　de'il　can　come　between　him　and　his
religion；　but'　　‘BUT；'　shouted　Faulkner；　‘there　is　no
BUT！　　It　is　God　and　our　right！　　God　and　our　right；　against
priestcraft　and　despotism！'〃

〃Then　every　one　of　us　leaped　to　our　feet；　and　we　swore　to
follow　Faulkner　to　Texas　at　an　hour's　notice；　and　Sandy　said
we　were　‘a　parcel　of　fools'；　and　then；　would　you　believe　it；
father；　when　our　boat　was　leaving　the　pier；　amid　the　cheers
and　hurrahs　of　thousands；　Sandy　leaped　on　the　boat　and　joined
us？〃

〃What　did　he　say　then？〃

〃He　said；　‘I　am　a　born　fool　to　go　with　you；　but　I　think　there
is　a　kind　o'　witchcraft　in　that　word　TEXAS。　　It　has　been
stirring　me　up　morning　and　night　like　the　voice　o'　the
charmer；　and　I　be　to　follow　it　though　I　ken　well　enough　it
isna　leading　me　in　the　paths　o'　peace　and　pleasantness！'〃

〃Did　you　find　the　same　enthusiasm　outside　of　New　York？〃

〃All　along　the　Ohio　and　Mississippi　we　gathered　recruits；　and
at　Randolph；　sixty　miles　above　Memphis；　we　were　joined　by
David　Crockett。〃

〃Jack！〃

〃True；　father！　　And　then　at　every　landing　we　took　on　men。　　For
at　every　landing　Crockett　spoke　to　the　people；　and；　as　we
stopped　very　often；　we　were　cheered　all　the　way　down　the
river。　　The　Mediterranean；　though　the　biggest　boat　on　it；
was　soon　crowded；　but　at　Helena；　Crockett　and　a　great　number
of　the　leading　men　of　the　expedition　got　off。　　And　as　Dare　and
Crockett　had　become　friends；　I　followed　them。〃

〃Where　did　you　go　to？〃

〃We　went　ostensibly　to　a　big　barbecue　at　John　Bowie's
plantation；　which　is　a　few　miles　below　Helena。　　Invitations　to
this　barbecue　had　been　sent　hundreds　of　miles　throughout　the
surrounding　country。　　We　met　parties　from　the　depths　of　the　
Arkansas　wilderness　and　the　furthest　boundaries　of　the　Choctaw
nation　coming　to　it。　　There　were　raftsmen　from　the
Mississippi；　from　the　White；　and　the　St。　Francis　rivers。　
There　were　planters　from　Lousiana　and　Tennessee。　　There　were
woodsmen　from　Kentucky。　　There　were　envoys　from　New　Orleans；
Washington；　and　all　the　great　Eastern　cities。〃

〃I　had　an　invitation　myself；　Jack。〃

〃I　wish　you　had　accepted　it。　　It　was　worth　the　journey。　　There
never　was　and　there　never　will　be　such　a　barbecue　again。　
Thousands　were　present。　　The　woods　were　full　of　sheds　and
temporary　buildings；　and　platforms　for　the　speakers。〃

〃Who　were　the　speakers？〃

〃Crockett；　Hawkins；　General　Montgomery；　Colonel　Beauford；　the
three　brothers　Cheatham；　Doc。　Bennet；　and　many　others。　　When
the　woods　were　illuminated　at　night　with　pine　knots；　you　may
imagine　the　scene　and　the　wild　enthusiasm　that　followed　their
eloquence。〃

〃Doc。　Bennet　is　a　good　partisan；　and　he　is　enormously　rich。〃

〃And　he　has　a　personal　reason　for　his　hatred　of　Mexico。　　An
insatiable　revenge　possesses　him。　　His　wife　and　two　children
were　barbarously　murdered　by　Mexicans。　　He　appealed　to　those
who　could　not　go　to　the　fight　to　give　money　to　aid　it；　and　on
the　spot　laid　down　ten　thousand　dollars。〃

〃Good！〃

〃Nine　other　men；　either　present　or　there　by　proxy；　instantly
gave　a　like　sum；　and　thirty　thousand　in　smaller　sums　was
added　to　it。　　Every　donation　was　hailed　with　the　wildest
transports；　and　while　the　woods　were　ringing　with　electrifying
shouts；　Hawkins　rallied　three　hundred　men　round　him　and　went
off　at　a　swinging　galop　for　the　Brazos。〃

〃Oh；　Jack！　　Jack！〃

In　another　hour；　the　rest　of　the　leaders　had　gathered　their
detachments；　and　every　man　had　turned　his　face　to　the　Texan
prairies。　　Crockett　was　already　far　advanced　on　the　way。　　Sam
Houston　was　known　to　be　kindling　the　fire　on　the　spot；　and　I
suppose　you　know；　father；〃　said　Jack；　sinking　his　voice　to　a
whisper；　〃that　we　have　still　more　powerful　backers。〃

〃General　Gaines？〃

〃Well；　he　has　a　large　body　of　United　States　troops　at
Nacogdoches。　　He　says　they　are　to　protect　the　people　of
Navasola　from　the　Indians。〃

〃But　Navasola　is　twenty…nine　miles　west　of　Nacogdoches。〃

〃Navasola　is　in　Texas。　　Very　well！　　If　the　United　States　feel
it　to　be　their　duty　to　protect　the　people　of　Navasola；　it
seems　they　already　consider　Texas　within　their　boundary。〃

〃You　think　the　Indians　a　mere　pretext？〃

〃Of　course。　　Crockett　has　with　him　an　autograph　letter　from
President　Jackson；　introducing　him　as　‘a　God…chosen　patriot。'　
President　Jackson　already　sees　Texas　in　the　Union；　and　Gaines
understands　that　if　the　American…Texans　should　be　repulsed　by
Santa　Anna；　and　fall　back　upon　him；　that　he　may　then　gather
them　under　his　standard　and　lead　them　forward　to　victoryand
the　conquest　of　Texas。　　Father；　you　will　see　the　Stars　and
Stripes　on　the　palaces　of　Mexico。〃

〃Do　not　talk　too　fast；　Jack。　　And　now；　go　lie　down　on　my　bed。　
In　four　hours　you　must　leave；　if　you　want　to　reach　Gonzales
to…night！〃

Then　Dare　was　called；　and　the　lovers　knew　that　their　hour　of
parting　was　come。　　They　said　nothing　of　the　fears　in　their
hearts；　and　on　Antonia's　lifted　face　there　was　only　the　light
of　love　and　of　hope。

〃The　fight　will　soon　be　over；　darling；　and　then！〃

〃And　then？　　We　shall　be　so　happy。〃



CHAPTER　VI。

ROBERT　WORTH　IS　DISARMED。

〃Strange　sons　of　Mexico；　and　strange　her　fate；
　They　fight　for　freedom　who　were　never　free；
　A　kingless　people　for　a　nerveless　state。〃

*　　　*　　　*　　　*　　　*　　　*

〃Not　all　the　threats　or　favors　of　a　crown；
　A　Prince's　whisper；　or　a　tyrant's　frown；
　Can　awe　the　spirit　or　allure　the　mind
　Of　him；　who　to　strict　Honor　is　inclined。
　Though　all　the　pomp　and　pleasure　that　does　wait
　On　public　places；　and　affairs　of　state；
　Though　all　the　storms　and　tempests　should　arise；
　That　Church　magicians　in　their　cells　devise；
　And　from　their　settled　basis　nations　tear：

　He　would；　unmoved；　the　mighty　ruin　bear。
　Secure　in　innocence；　contemn　them　all；
　And；　decently　arrayed；　in　honor　fall。〃

*　　　*　　　*　　　*　　　*　　　*

〃Say；　what　is　honor？　　'Tis　the　finest　sense
　Of　justice　which　the　human　mind　can　frame。〃


The　keenest　sufferings　entailed　by　war　are　not　on　the　battle…
field；　nor　in　the　hospital。　　They　are　in　the　household。　　There
are　the　maimed　affections；　the　slain　hopes；　the　broken　ties　of
love。　　And　before　a　shot　had　been　fired　in　the　war　of
Texan　independence；　the　battle　had　begun　in　Robert　Worth's
household。

The　young　men　lay　down　to　rest；　but　he　sat　watching　the　night
away。　　There　was　a　melancholy　sleepiness　in　it；　the
mockingbirds　had　ceased　singing；　the　chirping　insects　had
become　weary。　　Only　the　clock；　with　its　regular　〃tick；　tick；〃
kept　the　watch　with　him。

When　it　was　near　dawn；　he　lifted　a　candle　and　went　into　the
room　where　Jack　and　Dare　were　sleeping。　　Dare　did　not　move；
Jack　opened　his　eyes　wide；　and　smiled　brightly　at　the
intruder。

〃Well；　father？〃

〃It　is　time　to　get　up；　Jack。　　Tell　Dare。〃

In　a　few　minutes　both　came　to　him。　　A　bottle　of　wine；　some
preserved　bears'　paws；　and　biscuits　were　on　the　table。　　They
ate　standing；　speaking　very　little　and　almost　in　whispers；　and
then　the　doctor　went　with　them　to　the　stable。　　He　helped　Jack
to　saddle　his　horse。　　He　found　a　sad　pleasure　in　coming　so
close　to　him。　　Once　their　cheeks　touched；　and　the　touch
brought　the　tears　to　his　eyes　and　sent　he　blood　to　his　heart。

With　his　hand　on　the　saddle；　Jack　paused　and　said；
softly；　〃Father；　dear；　tell　mi　madre　my　last　look　at　the
house；　my　last　thought　in　leaving　it；　was　for　her。　　She　would
not　kiss　me　or　bless　me　last　night。　　Ask　her　to　kiss　you　for
me；〃　and　then　the　lad　broke　fairly　down。　　The　moment　had　come
in　which　love　could　find　no　utterance；　and　must　act。　　He　flung
his　arm　around　his　father's　neck　and　kissed　him。　　And　the
father　wept　also；　and　yet　spoke　brave　words　to　both　as　he
walked　with　them　to　the　gate　and　watched　them　ride　into　the
thick　mist　lying　upon　the　prairie　like　a　cloud。　　They　were
only　darker　spots　in　it。　　It　swallowed　them　up。　　They　were
lost　to　sight。

He　thought　no　one　had　seen　the　boys　leave　but　himself。　　But
through　the　lattices　two　sorrowful　women　also　watched　their
departure。　　The　Senora；　as　wakeful　as　her　husband；　had　heard
the　slight　movements；　the　unusual　noises　of　that　early　hour；
and　had　divined　the　cause　of　them。　　She　looked　at　Rachela。　
The　woman　had　fallen　into　the　dead　sleep　of　exhaustion；　and
she　would　not　have　to　parry　her　objections　and　warnings。　
Unshod；　and　in　her　night…dress；　she　slipped　through　the