remember the alamo-第38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！


tent　under　a　sufficient　guard。　　But　the　excitement　is　intense；
and　the　wretch　is　suffering；　undoubtedly；　all　the　mortal
terrors　of　being　torn　to　pieces　by　an　infuriated　soldiery。　
Houston　will　have　to　speak　to　them。　　They　will　be　influenced
by　no　other　man。〃

The　discussion　upon　this　event　lasted　until　midnight。　　But　the
ladies　retired　to　their　own　tent　much　earlier。　　They　knelt
together　in　grateful　prayer；　and　then　kissed　each　other　upon
their　knees。　　It　was　so　sweet　to　lie　down　once　more　in　safety；
to　have　the　luxury　of　a　tent；　and　a　mattress；　and　pillow。

〃Blessed　be　the　hand　of　God！　my　children；〃　said　the　Senora；
〃and　may　the　angels　give　us　in　our　dreams　grateful　thoughts。〃

And　then；　in　the　dark；　Isabel　nestled　her　head　in　her　sister's
breast；　and　whispered：　　〃Forgive　me　for　being　happy；
sweet　Antonia。　　Indeed；　when　I　smiled　on　Luis；　I　was　often
thinking　of　you。　　In　my　joy　and　triumph　and　love；　I　do　not
forget　that　one　great　awful　grave　at　Goliad。　　But　a　woman　must
hide　so　many　things；　do　you　comprehend　me；　Antonia？〃

〃Querdita；〃　she　whispered；　〃I　comprehend　all。　　God　has　done
right。　　If　His　angel　had　said　to　me；　‘One　must　be　taken　and
the　other　left；'　I　should　have　prayed；　‘Spare　then　my　little
sister　all　sorrow。'　　Good…night；　my　darling〃；　but　as　their
lips　met；　Isabel　felt　upon　her　cheeks　the　bitter　rain　which　is
the　price　of　accepted　sacrifice；　the　rain；　which　afterwards
makes　the　heart　soft；　and　fresh；　and　responsive　to　all　the
airs　of　God。

At　the　same　moment；　the　white　curtains　of　the　marquee；　in
which　the　doctor　sat　talking　with　his　son　and　Luis　and　Lopez；
were　opened；　and　the　face　of　Ortiz　showed　brown　and　glowing
between　them。

〃Senors；〃　he　said；　as　he　advanced　to　them；　〃I　am　satisfied。　　I
have　been　appointed　on　the　guard　over　Santa　Anna。　　He　has
recognized　me。　　He　has　to　obey　my　orders。　　Will　you　think　of
that？〃　　Then　taking　the　doctor's　hand　he　raised　it　to　his　lips。　
〃Senor；　I　owe　this　satisfaction　to　you。　　You　have　made　me　my
triumph。　　How　shall　I　repay　you？〃

〃By　being　merciful　in　the　day　of　your　power；　Ortiz。〃

〃I　assure　you　that　I　am　not　so　presumptuous；　Senor。　　Mercy　is
the　right　of　the　Divinity。　　It　is　beyond　my　capacity。　　Besides
which；　it　is　not　likely　the　Divinity　will　trouble　himself
about　Santa　Anna。　　I　have；　therefore；　to　obey　the　orders　of
the　great；　the　illustrious　Houston；　which　are；　to　prevent　his
escape　at　all　risks。　　May　St。　James　give　me　the　opportunity；
Senors！　　In　this　happy　hour；　a　Dios！〃

Then　Lopez　bent　forward；　and　with　a　smile　touched　the　doctor's
hand。　　〃Will　you　now　remember　the　words　I　said　of　Houston？　
Did　I　not　tell　you；　that　success　was　with　him？　that　on　his
brow　was　the　line　of　fortune？　that　he　was　the　loadstone　in　the
breast　of　freedom？



CHAPTER　XVII。

HOME　AGAIN。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃Where'er　we　roam；
　　　　　　　　　Our　first；　best　country　ever　is　at　home。〃

　　　　　　　　　〃What　constitutes　a　state？
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Men　who　their　duties　know；
　　　　　　　　　　But　know　their　rights；　and　knowing；　dare　maintain。

　　　　　　　　　〃And　sovereign　law；　that　states　collected　will
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　O'er　thrones　and　globes　elate；
　　　　　　　　　　Sits　empress；　crowning　good；　repressing　ill。

　　　　　　　　　〃This　hand　to　tyrants　ever　sworn　a　foe；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　For　freedom　only　deals　the　deadly　blow；
　　　　　　　　　　Then　sheathes　in　calm　repose　the　vengeful　blade；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　For　gentle　peace；　in　freedom's　hallowed　shade。〃


The　vicinity　of　a　great　battle…field　is　a　dreadful　place　after
the　lapse　of　a　day　or　two。　　The　bayou　and　the　morass　had
provided　sepulture　for　hundreds　of　slain　Mexicans；　but
hundreds　still　lay　upon　the　open　prairie。　　Over　it；　birds　of
prey　hung　in　dark　clouds；　heavy…winged；　sad；　sombre；　and
silent。　　Nothing　disturbed　them。　　They　took　no　heed
of　the　living。　　Armed　with　invincible　talons　and　beaks　tipped
with　iron；　they　carried　on　ceaselessly　that　automatic
gluttony；　which　made　them　beneficent　crucibles　of　living　fire；
for　all　which　would　otherwise　have　corrupted　the　higher　life。　
And　yet；　though　innocent　as　the　elements；　they　were　odious　in
the　sight　of　all。

Before　daylight　in　the　morning　the　Senora　and　her　daughters
were　ready　to　begin　their　homeward　journey。　　The　doctor　could
not　accompany　them；　General　Houston　and　the　wounded　Americans
being　dependent　largely　upon　his　care　and　skill。　　But　Luis
Alveda　and　Lopez　Navarro　received　an　unlimited　furlough；　and
about　a　dozen　Mexican　prisoners　of　war　belonging　to　San
Antonio　were　released　on　Navarro's　assurance；　and　permitted　to
travel　with　the　party　as　camp　servants。　　It　was　likely；　also；
that　they　would　be　joined　by　a　great　many　of　the　families　who
had　accompanied　the　great　flight；　for；　on　the　preceding
evening；　Houston　had　addressed　the　army；　and　told　the
householders　and　farmers　to　go　home　and　plant　their　corn。

Full　of　happiness；　the　ladies　prepared　for　their　journey。　
A　good　army　wagon；　drawn　by　eight　mules；　and　another　wagon；
containing　two　tents　and　everything　necessary　for　a
comfortable　journey；　was　waiting　for　them。　　The　doctor　bid
them　good…by　with　smiles　and　cheerful　promises。　　They　were
going　home。　　The　war　was　over。　　Independence　was　won。　　They
had　the　hope　of　permanent　peace。　　The　weather　also　was　as　the
weather　may　be　among　the　fields　of　Eden。　　The　heavens　were
cloudless；　the　air　sweet　and　fresh；　and　the　wild　honeysuckles；
with　their　spread　hands　full　of　scent；　perfumed　the　prairies
mile　after　mile。　　The　mules　went　knee…deep　through　warm
grasses；　the　grasses　were　like　waving　rainbows；　with　the
myriads　of　brightly　tinted　flowers。

Even　Lopez　was　radiantly　happy。　　Most　unusual　smiles　lighted
up　his　handsome　face；　and　he　jingled　the　silver　ornaments　on
his　bridle　pleasantly　to　his　thoughts　as　he　cantered　sometimes
a　little　in　advance　of　the　wagon；　sometimes　in　the　rear；
occasionally　by　its　side；　then；　bending　forward　to　lift　his
hat　to　the　ladies　and　inquire　after　their　comfort。

Luis　kept　close　to　Isabel；　and　her　lovely　face　and　merry
chatter　beguiled　him　from　all　other　observations。　　A
little　before　noon　they　halted　in　a　beautiful　wood；　a　tent　was
spread　for　the　ladies；　the　animals　were　loosened　from　their
harness；　and　a　luxurious　meal　laid　upon　the　grass。　　Then　the
siesta　was　taken；　and　at　three　o'clock　travel　was　resumed
until　near　sunset；　when　the　camp　was　made　for　the　night。　　The
same　order　was　followed　every　day；　and　the　journey　was　in
every　sense　an　easy　and　delightful　one。　　The　rides；　cheered　by
pleasant　companionship；　were　not　fatiguing；　the　impromptu
meals　were　keenly　relished。　　And　there　were　many　sweet
opportunities　for　little　strolls　in　the　dim　green　woods；　and
for　delightful　conversations；　as　they　sat　under　the　stars；
while　the　camp…fire　blazed　among　the　picturesque　groups　of
Mexicans　playing　monte　around　it。

On　the　third　afternoon；　the　Senora　and　Isabel　were　taking　a
siesta；　but　Antonia　could　not　sleep。　　After　one　or　two　efforts
she　was　thoroughly　aroused　by　the　sound　of　voices　which　had
been　very　familiar　to　her　in　the　black　days　of　the　flight
those　of　a　woman　and　her　weary　family　of　seven　children。　　She
had　helped　her　in　many　ways；　and　she　still　felt　an
interest　in　her　welfare。　　It　appeared　now　to　be　assured。　
Antonia　found　her　camping　in　a　little　grove　of　mulberry　trees。　
She　had　recovered　her　health；　her　children　were　noisy　and
happy；　and　her　husband；　a　tall；　athletic　man；　with　a
determined　eye　and　very　courteous　manners；　was　unharnessing
the　mules　from　a　fine　Mexican　wagon；　part　of　the　lawful　spoils
of　war。　　They；　too；　were　going　home：　〃back　to　the　Brazos；〃
said　the　woman　affectionately；　and　we're　in　a　considerable
hurry；〃　she　added；　because　it's　about　time　to　get　the　corn　in。　
Jake　lays　out　to　plant　fifty　acres　this　year。　　He　says　he　can
go　to　planting　now　with　an　easy　conscience；　he　'lows　he　has
killed　enough　Mexicans　to　keep　him　quiet　a　spell。〃

They　talked　a　short　time　together；　and　then　Antonia　walked
slowly　into　the　deeper　shadows　of　the　wood。　　She　found　a　wide
rock；　under　trees　softly　dimpling；　pendulous；　and　tenderly
green；　and　she　sat　down　in　the　sweet　gloom；　to　think　of　the
beloved　dead。　　She　had　often　longed　for　some　quiet　spot；
where；　alone　with　God　and　nature；　she　could；　just　for　once；
give　to　her　sorrow　and　her　love　a　free　expression。

Now　the　opportunity　seemed　to　be　hers。　　She　began　to　recall
her　whole　acquaintance　with　Daretheir　hours　of　pleasant
studytheir　sails　upon　the　rivertheir　intercourse　by　the
firesidethe　most　happy　Sundays；　when　they　walked　in　the
house　of　God　together。　　In　those　days；　what　a　blessed　future
was　before　them！　　She　recalled　also　the　time　of　hope　and
anxiety　after　the　storming　of　the　Alamo；　and　then　the　last
heroic　act　of　his　stainless　life。　　She　had　felt　sure　that　in
such　a　session　with　her　own　soul　she　would　find　the　relief　of
unrestrained　and　unchecked　weeping。　　But　we　cannot　kindle　when
we　will　either　the　fire　or　the　sensibility　of　the　soul。　　She
could　not　weep；　tears　were　far　from　her。　　Nay；　more；　she　began
to　feel　as　if　tears　were　not　needed　for　one　who　had　found　out
so　beautiful；　so　unselfish；　so　divine　a　road　to　the　grave。　
Ought　she　not　rather　to　rejoice　that　he　had　been　so　early
called　and　blest？　　To　be　glad　for　herself；　too；　that　all　her
life　long　she　could　keep　the　exquisite　memory　of　a　love　so
noble？

In　the　drift　of　such　thoughts；　her　white；　handsome　face
grew　almost　angelic。　　She　sat　motionless　and　let　them　come　to
her；　as　if　she　were　listening　to　the　comforting　angels。　
For　God　has　many　ways　of　saying　to　the　troubled　soul：　　〃Be　at
peace〃；　and；　certainly；　Antonia　had　not　anticipated　the
calmness　and　resignation　which　forbid　her　the　tears　she　had
bespoken。

At　length；　in　that　sweet　melancholy　which　such　a　mental
condition　induces；　she　rose　to　return　to　the　camp。　　A　few
yards　nearer　to　it　she　saw　Lopez　sitting　in　a　reverie　as
profound　as　her　own　had　been。　　He　stood　up　to　meet　her。　　The
patience；　the　pathos；　the　exaltation　in　her　face　touched　his
heart　as　no　words　could　have　done。　　He　said；　only：　　〃Senorita；
if　I　knew　how　to　comfort　you！〃

〃I　went　away　to　think　of　the　dead；　Senor。〃

〃I　comprehendbut　then；　I　wonder　if　the　dead　remember　the
living！〃

〃In　whatever　dwelling…place　of　eternity　the　dear　ones　who　died
at　Goliad　are；　I　am　sure　that　they　remember。　　Will　the
emancipated　soul　be　less　faithful　than　the　souls　still
earthbound？　　Good　souls　could　not　even　wish　to　forgetand
they　were　good。〃

〃It　will　never　be　permitted　me　to　know　two　souls　more　pure；
more　faithful；　more　brave；　Juan　was　as　a　brother　to　me；
and；　BY　MY　SANTIGUADA！＇6＇　　I　count　it　among　God's　blessings
to　have　known　a　man　like　Senor　Grant。　　A　white　soul　he　had
indeed；　full　of　great　nobilities！〃


＇6＇　Sign　of　the　Cross。


Antonia　looked　at　him　gratefully。　　Tears　uncalled…for　sprang
into　the　eyes　of　both；　they　clasped　hands　and　walked　mutely
back　to　the　camp　together。　　For　the　sentiment　which　attends
the　realization　that　all　is　over；　is　gathered　silently　into
the　heart；　it　is　too　deep　for　words。

They　found　the　camp　already　in　that　flurry　of　excitement
always　attendant　upon　its　rest　and　rising；　and　the　Senora　was
impatiently　inquiring　for　her　eldest　daughter。

〃GRACIOUS　MARIA！　　Is　that　you；　Antonia？　　At　th