remember the alamo-第35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！


to　its　finest　proportions。　　Her　patient　efforts　to　arouse　her
mother；　and　her　cheerfulness　under　the　loss　of　all　comforts；
were　delightful。　　Besides　which；　she　had　an　inexhaustible　fund
of　sympathy　for　the　babies。　　She　was　never　without　one　in　her
arms。　　Three　mothers；　who　had　died　on　the　road；　left　their
children　to　her　care。　　And　it　was　wonderful　and　pitiful　to　see
the　delicately　nurtured　girl；　making　all　kinds　of　efforts
to　secure　little　necessaries　for　the　children　she　had　elected
to　care　for。

〃The　Holy　Mother　helps　me；〃　she　said　to；　Antonia。　　〃She　makes
the　poor　little　ones　good；　and　I　am　not　very　tired。〃

At　San　Felipe　they　were　joined　by　nearly　one　hundred　men；　who
also　brought　word　that　a　fine　company　were　advancing　to　their
aid　from　Mississippi；　under　General　Quitman；　and　that　two
large　cannon；　sent　by　the　people　of　Cincinnati；　were　within　a
few　miles。　　And　thus　hoping　and　fearing；　hungry　and　weary　to
the　death；　they　reached；　on　the　16th　of　April；　after　a　march
of　eighteen　miles；　a　place　called　McArley's。　　They　had　come
over　a　boggy　prairie　under　a　cold　rain；　and　were　depressed
beyond　expression。　　　But　there　was　a　little　shelter　here　for
the　women　and　children　to　sleep　under。　　The　men　camped　in　the
open。　　They　had　not　a　tent　in　their　possession。

About　ten　o'clock　that　night；　Doctor　Worth　was　sitting　with
his　wife　and　children　and　Antonia　in　one　corner　of　a　room　in
a　deserted　cabin。　　He　had　the　Senora's　wasted　hand　in　his　own；
and　was　talking　to　her。　　She　sat　in　apathetic　silence。　
It　was　impossible　to　tell　whether　she　heard　or　understood　him。

〃I　wonder　where　Isabel　is；〃　said　Antonia；　and　with　the　words
the　girl　entered　the　room。　　She　had　in　her　arms　a　little　lad
of　four　years　old；　suffering　the　tortures　of　croup。

〃Mi　madre；〃　she　cried；　〃you　know　how　to　save　him！　　He　is
dying！　　Save　him！　　Listen　to　me！　　The　Holy　Mother　says　so〃；
and　she　laid　the　child　on　her　knee。

A　change　like　a　flash　of　light　passed　over　the　Senora's　face。　
〃The　poor　little　one！〃　　Her　motherly　instincts　crushed　down
everything　else。　　In　the　child's　agony　she　forgot　her　own
grief。　　With　glad　hearts　the　doctor　and　Antonia　encouraged　her
in　her　good　work；　and　when　at　length　the　sufferer　had　been
relieved　and　was　sleeping　against　her　breast；　the　Senora　had
wept。　　The　stone　from　her　heart　had　been　rolled　away　by　a
little　child。　　Her　own　selfish　sorrow　had　been　buried　in　a
wave　of　holy；　unselfish　maternal　affection。　　The　key　to　her
nature　had　been　found；　and　henceforward　Isabel　brought　to　her
every　suffering　baby。

On　the　next　day　they　marched　ten　miles　through　a　heavy　rain；
and　arrived　at　Burnett's　settlement。　　The　women　had
shelter；　the　men　slept　on　the　wet　groundtook　the　prairie
without　coverwith　their　arms　in　their　hands。　　They　knew　they
were　in　the　vicinity　of　Santa　Anna；　and　all　were　ready　to
answer　in　an　instant　the　three　taps　of　the　drum；　which　was　the
only　instrument　of　martial　music　in　the　camp；　and　which　was
never　touched　but　by　Houston。

Another　day　of　eighteen　miles　brought　them　to　within　a　short
distance　of　Harrisburg。　　Santa　Anna　had　just　been　there；　and
the　place　was　in　ashes。　　It　was　evident　to　all；　now；　that　the
day　and　the　hour　was　at　hand。　　Houston　first　thought　of　the
two　hundred　families　he　had　in　charge；　and　they　were　quickly
taken　over　the　bayou。　　When　he　had　seen　the　last　one　in　this
comparative　safety；　he　uttered　so　fervent　a　〃Thank　God！〃　that
the　men　around　unconsciously　repeated　it。　　The　bayou　though
narrow　was　twenty　feet　deep；　and　the　very　home　of　alligators。　
There　was　only　one　small　bridge　in　the　vicinity。　　He　intended
its　destruction；　and　thus　to　make　his　little　band　and　the
deep；　dangerous　stream　a　double　barrier　between　the　Mexicans
and　the　women　and　children　beyond　them。　　It　was　after
this　duty　he　wrote：

〃This　morning　we　are　in　preparation　to　meet　Santa　Anna。　　We
will　only　be　about　seven　hundred　to　march；　besides　the　camp
guard。　　But　we　go　to　conquest。　　The　troops　are　in　fine
spirits；　and　now　is　the　time　for　action。　　I　leave　the　result
in　the　hands　of　an　all…wise　God；　and　I　rely　confidently　in　his
Providence。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃SAM　HOUSTON。〃＇5＇



＇5＇　Copy　from　Department　of　War　of　the　Republic　of　Texas。



The　women　and　children；　under　a　competent　guide；　continued
their　march　eastward。　　But　they　were　worn　out。　　Many　were
unable　to　put　their　feet　to　the　ground。　　The　wagons　were
crowded　with　these　helpless　ones。　　The　Senora　had　so　far
recovered　as　to　understand　that　within　a　few　hours　Santa　Anna
and　the　Americans　must　meet。　　And；　mentally　led　by　Isabel's
passionate　hatred；　she　now　showed　a　vindictiveness　beyond　that
of　any　other　woman。

She　spent　hours　upon　her　knees；　imploring　the　saints；　and　the
stars；　and　the　angel　Michael；　to　fight　against　Santa
Anna。　　To　Isabel　she　whispered；　〃I　have　even　informed　the　evil
one　where　he　may　be　found。　　The　wretch　who　ordered　such
infamies！　　He　poisons　the　air　of　the　whole　world　as　he　goes
through　it。　　I　shall　never　be　happy　till　I　know　that　he　is　in
purgatory。　　He　will　be　hated　even　thereand　in　a　worse　place；
too。　　Yes；　it　is　pleasant　to　think　of　that！　　There　will　be
many　accusers　of　him　there。　　I　shall　comfort　myself　with
imagining　his　punishment。　　Isabel；　do　you　believe　with　your
heart　that　Senor　Houston　and　the　Americans　will　be　strong
enough　to　kill　him？〃

〃Mi　madre；　I　know　it。〃

〃Then　do　be　a　little　delighted。　　How　can　you　bear　things　with
such　a　provoking　indifference？　　But　as　Luis　is　safe〃

〃Chito！　　Chito！　　Do　not　be　cruel；　mi　madre。　　I　would　stab
Santa　Anna　with　my　own　handsvery　slowly；　I　would　stab　him。　
It　would　be　so　sweet。　　The　Sisters　told　me　of　a　woman　in　the
Holy　Book；　who　smiled　upon　the　one　she　hated；　and　gave　him
milk　and　butter；　and　when　he　slept；　drove　a　great　nail　through
his　temples。　　I　know　how　she　felt。　　What　a　feast　it　would　be；
to　strike；　and　strike；　and　strike！　　I　could　drive　ten；
twenty；　fifty　nails；　into　Santa　Anna；　when　I　think　of　Juan。〃

No　one　had　before　dared　to　breathe　her　boy's　name　in　her
hearing。　　She　herself　had　never　spoken　it。　　It　fell　upon　the
ears　of　both　women　like　a　strain　of　forgotten　music。　　They
looked　at　each　other　with　eyes　that　stirred　memory　and　love　to
their　sweetest　depths。　　Almost　in　whispers　they　began　to　talk
of　the　dead　boy；　to　recall　how　lovable；　how　charming；　how
affectionate；　how　obedient　he　had　been。　　Then　the　Senora　broke
open　the　seals　of　her　sorrow；　and；　with　bitter　reproaches　on
herself；　confessed　that　the　kiss　she　had　denied　her　Juan　was
a　load　of　anguish　upon　her　heart　that　she　could　not　bear。

〃If　I　had　only　blessed　him；〃　she　moaned；　〃I　had　saved　him　from
his　misfortune。　　A　mother's　blessing　is　such　a　holy　thing！　
And　he　knelt　at　my　knees；　and　begged　it。　　I　can　see　his　eyes
in　the　darkness；　when　my　eyes　are　shut。　　I　can　hear　his　voice
when　I　am　asleep。　　Isabel；　I　shall　never　be　happy　till　I　see
Juan　again；　and　say　to　him；　‘Forgive　me；　dear　one；　forgive　me；
for　I　have　suffered。'〃

Both　were　weeping；　but　Isabel　said；　bravely：　　〃I　am　sure
that　Juan　does　not　blame　you　now；　mi　madre。　　In　the　other
world　one　understands　better。　　And　remember；　also；　the　letter
which　he　wrote　you。　　His　last　thought　was　yours。　　He　fell　with
your　name　on　his　lips。　　These　things　are　certain。　　And　was　it
not　good　of　Dare　to　die　with　him？　　A　friend　like　that！　　Out　of
the　tale…books　who　ever　hears　of　such　a　thing？　　Antonia　has
wept　much。　　In　the　nights；　when　she　thinks　I　am　asleep；　I　hear
her。　　Have　you　seen　that　she　has　grown　white　and　thin？　　I
think　that　my　father　is　very　unhappy　about　her。〃

〃In　an　hour　of　mercy　may　the　merciful　One　remember　Dare　Grant！　
I　will　pray　for　his　peace　as　long　as　I　live。　　If　he　had　left
Juanif　he　had　come　back　aloneI　think　indeed　I　should　have
hated　him。〃

〃That　was　also　the　opinion　of　Antoniashe　would　never　have
loved　him　the　same。　　I　am　sure　she　would　not　have　married
him。〃

〃My　good　Antonia！　　Go　bring　her　to　me；　Isabel。　　I　want　to
comfort　her。　　She　has　been　so　patient　with　me。　　I　have　felt
itfelt　it　every　minute；　and　I　have　been　stupid　and　selfish；
and　have　forgotten　that　she　too　was　suffering。〃

The　next　day　it　was　found　impossible　to　move。　　The　majority　of
the　women　had　husbands　with　the　army。　　They　had　left　their
wives；　to　secure　everlasting　freedom　for　their　children；　but；
even　if　Houston　was　victorious；　they　might　be　wounded　and　need
their　help。　　To　be　near　them　in　any　case　was　the　one　thing
about　which　they　were　positive。

〃We　will　not　move　another　inch；〃　said　a　brave　little
Massachusetts　woman；　who　had　been　the　natural　leader　of　this
domestic　Exodus；　〃we　will　rest　ourselves　a　little　here；　and　if
the　Mexicans　want　some　extraordinary　fighting　they　can　have
it；　especially；　if　they　come　meddling　with　us　or　our　children。　
My　husband　told　me　just　to　get　out　of　reach　of　shot　and　shell
and　wait　there　till　we　heard　of　the　victory；　and　I　am　for
doing　THAT；　and　no　other　thing。〃

Nearly　two　hundred　women；　bent　upon　their　own　way；　are　not　to
be　taken　any　other　way；　and　the　few　old　men　who　had　been　sent
to　guide　the　party；　and　shoot　what　game　was　necessary　for
their　support；　surrendered　at　once　to　this　feminine　mutiny。　
Besides；　the　condition　of　the　boys　and　girls　between　seven　and
fourteen　was　really　a　deplorable　one。　　They　were　too　old
to　be　cared　for　as　infants；　and　they　had　been　obliged；　with
the　strength　of　children；　to　accomplish　the　labor　of　men　and
women。　　Many　were　crippled　in　their　feet；　others　were
continually　on　the　point　of　swooning。

It　was　now　the　20th　of　April。　　The　Senora　and　her　daughters
had　been　six　weeks　with　the　American　army；　exposed　to　all　the
privations　which　such　a　life　entailed。　　But　the　most　obvious
of　these　privations　were；　perhaps；　those　which　were　most
easily　borne。　　Women　endure　great　calamities　better　than　the
little　annoyances　affecting　those　wants　which　are　part　and
parcel　of　their　sex　or　their　caste。　　It　was　not　the
necessaries　so　much　as　the　luxuries　of　life　which　the　Senora
missedthe　changes　of　raimentthe　privacythe　quietthe
regularity　of　events。

During　the　whole　of　the　20th；　there　was　almost　a　Sabbath
stillness。　　It　was　a　warm；　balmy　day。　　The　wearied　children
were　under　the　wagons　and　under　the　trees；　sleeping　the　dead
sleep　of　extreme　exhaustion。　　The　mothers；　wherever　it　was
possible；　slept　also。　　The　guides　were　a　little　apart；
listening　and　smoking。　　If　they　spoke；　it　was　only　in
monosyllables。　　Rest　was　so　much　more　needed　than　food　that
little　or　no　attempt　was　made　to　cook　until　near　sundown。

At　dawn　next　morningnay；　a　little　before　dawnwhen　all　was
chill；　and　gray；　and　misty；　and　there　was　not　a　sound　but　the
wailing　of　a　sick　child；　the　Senora　touched　her　daughters。　
Her　voice　was　strange　to　them；　her　face　solemnly　happy。

〃Antonio！　　Isabel！　I　HAVE　SEEN　JUAN！　　I　HAVE　SEEN　JUAN！　　My
eyes　were　shut；　but　I　have　seen　him。　　He　was　a　beautiful
shadow；　with　a　great；　shadowy　host　around　him。　　He　bent　on　me
such　eyes！　　Holy　Mother！　their　love　was　unfathomable；　and　I
heard　his　voice。　　It　was　far　off；　yet　near。　　‘Madre！'　he　said；
‘TOMORROW　YOU　SHALL　HEAR　FROM　US。'　　Now　I　am　happy。　　There
are　words　in　my　heart；　but　I　cannot　explain　them　to　you。　　I
know　what　t