remember the alamo-第17章

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of　him　as　of　a　common　mortal。　　Indeed；　I　will　confess　that　I
could　only　compare　him　with　the　Efreet　in　the　Arabian　tale；
‘whose　nostrils　were　like　trumpets；　his　eyes　like　lamps；　and
who　had　dishevelled；　dust　colored　hair'〃

〃But；　to　proceed；　what　were　the　strange　words？〃

〃Thus　he　spoke；　and　his　voice　rang　out　like　a　clarion：

〃‘You　will　fight　as　men　fight　for　their　homes；　and　their
wives；　and　their　children；　but　alsoremember　thisthe　idea
of　Texas　is　in　the　American　heart！　　Two　generations　they　have
carried　it　there！　　It　is　your　destiny　to　make　the　idea　a　fact！　
As　far　back　as　eighteen　nineteen；　Adams　wanted　Texas。　　When
Adams　became　president；　he　told　Poinsett　to　offer　Mexico　a
million　of　dollars　for　Texas。　　Clay　would　have　voted　three
millions。　　Van　Buren；　in　eighteen　twenty…nine；　told　Poinsett
to　offer　five　millions　for　Texas。　　I　went　to　Washington　that
year；　and　proposed　to　revolutionize　Texas。　　I　declare　to　you
that　the　highest　men　in　the　land　were　of　my　mind。　　Only
last　July　President　Jackson　offered　an　additional　half　million
dollars　for　the　Rio　Grande　boundary；　and　Mr。　Secretary　Forsyth
said；　justly　or　unjustly；　by　hook；　or　by　crook；　Texas　must
become　part　of　our　country。　　We　have　been　longing　for　it　for
fifty　years！　　Now；　then；　brothers…in…arms！'　he　cried；　‘You　are
here　for　your　homes　and　your　freedom；　but；　more　than　that；　you
are　here　for　your　country！'　　Remember　the　thousands　of
Americans　who　have　slipped　out　of　history　and　out　of　memory；
who　have　bought　this　land　with　their　blood！　　We　have　held　a
grip　on　Texas　for　fifty　years。　　By　the　soul　of　every　American
who　has　perished　here；　I　charge　you；　No　Surrender！'

〃You　should　have　heard　the　shout　that　answered　the　charge。　
Jesu；　Maria！　　It　made　my　heart　leap　to　my　bosom。　　And　ever
since；　the　two　words　have　filled　the　air。　　You　could　see　men
catching　them　on　their　lips。　　They　are　in　their　eyes；　and
their　walk。　　Their　hands　say　them。　　The　up…toss　of　their　heads
says　them。　　When　they　go　into　battle　they　will　see　Houston　in
front　of　them；　and　hear　him　call　back　‘No　surrender！'　　Mexico
cannot　hold　Texas　against　such　a　determined　purpose；
carried　out　by　such　determined　men。〃

Lopez　did　not　answer。　　He　was　a　melancholy；　well…read　man；　who
had　travelled；　and　to　whom　the　idea　of　liberty　was　a　passion。　
But　the　feeling　of　race　was　also　strong　in　him；　and　he　could
not　help　regretting　that　liberty　must　come　to　Texas　through　an
alien　people〃heretics；　too〃he　muttered；　carrying　the
thought　out　aloud。　　It　brought　others　equally　living　to　him；
and　he　asked；　〃Where；　then；　is　Doctor　Worth？〃

〃At　Espada。　　The　army　wished　him　to　go　to　San　Felipe　with
Houston；　but　he　declined。　　And　we　want　him　most　of　all；　both
as　a　fighter　and　a　physician。　　His　son　Thomas　went　in　his
place。〃

〃I　know　not　Thomas。〃

〃Indeed；　very　few　know　him。　　He　is　one　that　seldom　speaks。　
But　his　rifle　has　its　word　always　ready。〃

〃And　Jack？〃

〃Jack　also　went　to　San　Felipe。　　He　is　to　bring　back　the　first
despatches。　　Jack　is　the　darling　of　the　camp。　　Ah；　what　a
happy　soul　he　has！　　One　would　think　that　it　had　just　come　from
heaven；　or　was　just　going　there。〃

〃Did　you　see　Senorita　Antonia　to…night？〃

〃Si！　　She　is　a　blessing　to　the　eyesight。　　So　brave　a　young
girl；　so　sweet；　so　wise；　she　is　a　miracle！　　If　I　loved　not
Isabel　with　my　whole　soul；　I　would　kneel　at　Antonia's　feet。〃

〃That　is　where　I　also　would　kneel。〃

〃Hark！　how　the　wind　roars；　and　how　the　rain　thrashes　the
house！　　But　our　men　have　the　shelter　of　one　of　the　Panchos。　
You　should　have　heard　the　padre　threaten　them　with　the　anger
of　heaven　and　hell　and　General　Cos。　　Good…bye；　Lopez。　　I　have
stayed　my　last　moment　now。〃

〃Your　horse　has　been　well　fed。　　Listen；　he　is　neighing　for
you；　to　Doctor　Worth　give　my　honorable　regards。　　Is　Senor
Parades　with　you？　and　Perez　Mexia？　　Say　to　them　I　keep　the　vow
I　made　in　their　behalf。　　Farewell；　Luis！〃　and　Luis；　who　had
been　mounting　as　his　friend　talked；　stooped　from　his　saddle
and　kissed　him。

It　was　just　dawn　when　he　reached　camp；　and　he　found　Doctor
Worth　waiting　his　arrival。　　Fortunately　there　was　nothing　but
good　news　for　the　doctor。　　Luis　had　seen　everything　through
the　medium　of　his　own　happiness；　and　he　described　the
midnight　meal　and　the　Senora's　amiability　with　the　utmost
freedom　from　anything　unpleasant。　　Rachela's　interference　he
treated　with　scornful　indifference；　and　yet　it　affected
Worth's　mind　unpleasantly。　　For　it　went　straight　to　the　source
of　offence。　　〃She　must　have　had　Fray　Ignatius　behind　her。　　And
my　poor　Maria；　she　will　be　as　dough　for　them　to　knead　as　they
desire　to！〃

And；　in　fact；　as　he　was　thus　thinking；　the　Senora　was　lying
awake　in　her　bed；　anticipating　her　confessor's　next　visit。　
She　was　almost　glad　the　norther　was　still　blowing。　　It　would
give　her　another　day's　respite；　and　〃so　many　things　happen　as
the　clock　goes　round；〃　she　reflected。　　Perhaps　even　her
Roberto　might　arrive；　it　would　not　be　more　wonderful　than　the
visit　of　Luis　Alveda。

But　very　early　in　the　day　she　saw　the　father　hurrying　up　the
oleander　avenue。　　The　wind　tossed　his　gown；　and　blew　his　hat
backward　and　sideways；　and　compelled　him　to　make　undignified
haste。　　And　such　little　things　affect　the　mental　poise　and
mood！　　The　Senora　smiled　at　the　funny　figure　he　made；　and　with
the　smile　came　a　feeling　of　resistance　to　his　tyranny；
and　a　stubborn　determination　to　defend　her　own　conduct。

He　came　into　her　room　with　a　doleful　countenance；　saying；　as
he　crossed　himself；　〃God　be　here！〃

〃And　with　you；　father；〃　answered　the　Senora；　cheerfullya
mood　she　had　assumed　at　the　last　moment；　by　a　kind　of
instinct。

〃There　is　evil　news　on　every　hand　my　daughter。　　The　heretics
are　swarming　like　wolves　around　the　Missions。　　Several　of　our
holy　brothers　have　endured　the　last　extremity。　　These　wolves
will　even　enter　the　city；　and　you　will　be　in　danger。　　I　have
come　to　take　you　to　the　convent。　　There；　Holy　Mary　will　be
your　safety。〃

〃But　these　wolves　might　attack　the　convent；　father！〃

〃Our　Blessed　Lady　is　stronger　than　they。　　She　has　always　kept
her　own。〃

〃Blessed　be　the　hand　of　God　and　Mary！　will　trust　in　them。　　Ah；
Antonia！　　Listen　to　Fray　Ignatius！　　He　says　we　must　go　to　the
conventthe　heretics　are　coming。　　They　have　even　slain　some
priests　at　the　Mission。〃

〃Fray　Ignatius　has　been　misinformed；　dear　mother。　　When
a　man　wears　a　gown　and　has　no　arms　Americans　do　not　molest
him。　　That　is　certain。　　As　for　the　convent　it　is　impossible。　
My　father　forbade　it。　　If　the　Americans　enter　the　city；　he　is
with　them。　　He　will　protect　us；　if　we　should　need　it；　which　is
not　likely。〃

〃Disobedient　one！〃

〃Pardon。　　I　wish　only　to　obey　the　commands　of　my　father。〃

〃I　absolve　you　from　them。〃

〃They　are　between　God　and　my　soul。　　There　is　no　absolution
from　duty。〃

〃Grace　of　God！　　Hear　you；　Senora！　　Hear　you　the　rebellious　and
disobedient　one！　　She　has　defied　me　to　my　face！　　She　is　near
to　being　anathema！　　She　is　not　your　daughter！　　She　is
bewitched。　　Some　evil　spirit　has　possession　of　her。　　Let　no
one　touch　her　or　speak　to　her；　it　shall　be　a　mortal　sin。〃

Antonia　fell　at　her　mother's　knee。　　〃Mi　madre！　　I　am　your
daughter；　your　Antonia；　that　you　carried　in　your　breast；　and
that　loves　you　better　than　life。　　Permit　me　not　to　be　accused
of　sinto　be　called　a　devil。　　Mother；　speak　for　me。〃

At　this　moment　Isabel　entered。　　Seeing　the　distress　of
her　mother　and　sister　she　hastened　to　them；　but　Fray　Ignatius
stepped　between；　and　extending　his　arms　forbade　her　nearer
approach。

〃I　forbid　you　to　speak　to　your　sister。　　I　forbid　you　to　touch
her；　to　give　her　food；　or　water；　or　sympathy；　until　she　has
humbled　herself；　and　obtained　the　forgiveness　of　her　sin。〃

Then　mother　love　stood　up　triumphant　over　superstition。　　〃I
and　my　daughter　are　the　same；〃　said　the　Senora；　and　she　gave
her　hand　to　Antonia。　　〃If　she　has　sinned；　we　will　bear　the
penance　together；　she　and　I　together。〃

〃I　command　you　to　stand　apart。　　For　the　good　of　Antonia's
sinful　soul；　I　command　you　to　withdraw　yourself　from　her。〃

〃She　is　my　daughter；　father。　　I　will　bear　the　sin　and　the
punishment　with　her。　　The　Holy　Mother　will　understand　me。　　To
her　I　will　go。〃

The　door　of　her　room　was　at　hand；　she　stepped　swiftly　to　it；
and　putting　her　daughters　before　her；　passed　in　and　turned　the
key。

The　movement　took　the　priest　by　surprise；　and　yet　he　was
secretly　satisfied　with　it。　　He　had　permitted　himself　to　act
with　an　imprudence　most　unusual。　　He　had　allowed　the
Senora　to　find　out　her　own　moral　strength；　and　made　a
situation　for　her　in　which　she　had　acted　not　only　without　his
support；　but　against　his　authority。

〃And　yet；〃　he　muttered；　〃so　much　depends　upon　my　persuading
her　into　the　convent；　however；　nothing　now　is　to　be　done　to…
day；　except　to　see　Rachela。　　Saint　Joseph！　if　these　American
heretics　were　only　in　my　power！　　What　a　long　joy　I　would　make
of　them！　　I　would　cut　a　throatjust　one　throatevery　day　of
my　life。〃

The　hatred　which　could　contemplate　a　vengeance　so　long　drawn
out　was　on　his　dark　face；　yet；　it　is　but　justice　to　say；　that
he　sincerely　believed　it　to　be　a　holy　hatred。　　The　foes　of　the
church；　he　regarded　as　the　foes　of　God；　and　his　anger　as　a
just　zeal　for　the　honor　of　the　Lord　of　Hosts。　　Beside　which；
it　included　a　far　more　tangible　cause。

The　accumulated　treasures　of　the　Missions；　their　gold　and
gems；　their　costly　vestments　and　holy　vessels；　had　been
removed　to　the　convent　for　safety。　　〃These　infidels　of
Americans　give　to　women　the　honor　they　should　give　to　God　and
Holy　Church；〃　he　said　to　his　brethren。　　〃They　will　not
suffer　the　Sisters　to　be　molested；　and　our　wealth　will　be　safe
wherever　they　are。〃

But　this　wealth　was　really　so　immense；　that　he　believed　it
might　be　well　to　secure　it　still　further；　and　knowing　the
position　Dr。　Worth　held　among　his　countrymen；　he　resolved　to
induce　his　wife　and　daughters　to　seek　refuge　within　the
convent。　　They　were；　in　fact；　to　be　held　as　hostages；　for　the
protection　of　the　property　of　the　Church。

That　he　should　fail　in　his　plan　was　intolerable　to　him。　　He
had　been　so　confident　of　success。　　He　imagined　the　smile　on
the　face　of　Fray　Sarapiam；　and　the　warning　against　self…
confidence　he　would　receive　from　his　superior；　and　he　vowed　by
Saint　Joseph　that　he　would　not　suffer　himself　to　be　so
mortified　by　three　women。

Had　he　seen　the　Senora　after　the　first　excitement　of　her
rebellion　was　over；　he　would　have　been　satisfied　of　the
validity　of　his　authority；　at　least　as　regarded　her。　　She
flung　herself　at　the　foot　of　her　altar；　weeping　and　beating
her　breast　in　a　passion　of　self…accusation　and　contrition。　
Certainly；　she　had　stood　by　her　daughter　in　the　presence
of　the　priest；　but　in　her　room　she　withdrew　herself　from　the
poor　girl　as　if　she　were　a　spiritual　leper。

Antonia　at　a　distance　watched　the　self…abasement　of　her
mother。　　She　could　not　weep；　but　she　was　white　as　clay；　and
her　heart　was　swollen　with　a　sense　of　wrong　and　injustice；
until　breathing　was　almost　suffocation。　　She　looked　with　a
piteous　entreaty　at　Isabel。　　Her　little　sister　had　taken　a
seat　at　the　extremity　of　the　room　away　from　her。　　She　watched
Antonia　with　eyes　full　of　terror。　　But　t