remember the alamo-第4章

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a　pack…train　going　to　Sonora；　the　animals　restlessly
protesting　against　the　heat　and　flies；　their　Mexican　drivers
in　the　pulqueria；　spending　their　last　peso　with　their
compadres；　or　with　the　escort　of　soldiers　which　was　to
accompany　thema　little　squad　of　small；　lithe　men；　with
round；　yellow；　beardless　faces；　bearing　in　a　singular　degree
the　stamp　of　being　native　to　the　soil。　　Their　lieutenant；　a
gorgeously　clad　officer　with　a　very　distinguished　air；　was
coming　slowly　down　the　street　to　join　them。　　He　bowed；　and
smiled　pleasantly　to　the　doctor　as　he　passed　him；　and　then　in
a　few　moments　the　word　of　command　and　the　shouting　of　men　and
the　clatter　of　hoofs　invaded　the　enchanted　atmosphere　like　an
insult。

But　the　tumult　scarcely　jarred　with　the　thoughts　of　his　mind。　
They　had　been　altogether　of　war　and　rumors　of　war。　　Every　hour
that　subtile　consciousness　of　coming　events；　which　makes　whole
communities　at　times　prescient；　was　becoming　stronger。　　〃If
the　powers　of　the　air　have　anything　to　do　with　the　destinies
of　men；〃　he　muttered；　〃there　must　be　unseen　battalions　around
me。　　The　air　I　am　breathing　is　charged　with　the　feeling　of
battle。〃

After　leaving　the　city　there　were　only　a　few　Mexican　huts　on
the　shady　road　leading　to　his　own　house。　　All　within　them　were
asleep；　even　the　fighting　cocks　tied　outside　were　dozing　on
their　perches。　　He　was　unusually　weary；　he　had　been　riding
since　dawn；　and　his　heart　had　not　been　in　sympathy　with　his
body；　it　had　said　no　good　cheer　to　it；　whispered　no　word　of
courage　or　promise。

All　at　once　his　physical　endurance　seemed　exhausted；　and　he
saw　the　white　wall　and　arched　gateway　of　his　garden　and　the
turrets　of　his　home　with　an　inexpressible　relief。　　But　it　was
the　hour　of　siesta；　and　he　was　always　careful　not　to　let　the
requirements　of　his　profession　disturb　his　household。　　So　he
rode　quietly　to　the　rear；　where　he　found　a　peon　nodding　within
the　stable　door。　　He　opened　his　eyes　unnaturally　wide；　and
rose　to　serve　his　master。

〃See　thou　rub　the　mare　well　down；　and　give　her　corn　and
water。〃

〃To　be　sure；　Senior；　that　is　to　be　done。　　A　stranger　has　been
here　to…day；　an　American。〃

〃What　did　he　say　to　thee？〃

〃That　he　would　call　again；　Senor。〃

The　incident　was　not　an　unusual　one；　and　it　did　not　trouble
the　doctor's　mind。　　There　was　on　the　side　of　the　house　a　low
extension　containing　two　rooms。　　These　rooms　belonged
exclusively　to　him。　　One　was　his　study；　his　office；　his
covert；　the　place　to　which　he　went　when　he　wanted　to　be　alone
with　his　own　soul。　　There　were　a　bed　and　bath　and　refreshments
in　the　other　room。　　He　went　directly　to　it；　and　after　eating
and　washing；　fell　into　a　profound　sleep。

At　the　hour　before　Angelus　the　house　was　as　noisy　and　busy　as
if　it　had　been　an　inn。　　The　servants　were　running　hither　and
thither；　all　of　them　expressing　themselves　in　voluble　Spanish。　
The　cooks　were　quarrelling　in　the　kitchen。　　Antonia　was
showing　the　table　men；　as　she　had　to　do　afresh　every　day；　how
to　lay　the　cloth　and　serve　the　dishes　in　the　American　fashion。　
When　the　duty　was　completed；　she　went　into　the　garden　to
listen　for　the　Angelus。　　The　young　ladies　of　to…day　would
doubtless　consider　her　toilet　frightfully　unbecoming；　but
Antonia　looked　lovely　in　it；　though　but　a　white　muslin　frock；
with　a　straight　skirt　and　low　waist　and　short；　full　sleeves。　
It　was　confined　by　a　blue　belt　with　a　gold　buckle；　and　her
feet　were　in　sandalled　slippers　of　black　satin。

The　Angelus　tolled；　and　the　thousands　of　Hail　Maries！　which
blended　with　its　swinging　vibrations　were　uttered；　and　left　to
their　fate；　as　all　spoken　words　must　be。　　Antonia　still
observed　the　form。　　It　lent　for　a　moment　a　solemn　beauty　to
her　face。　　She　was　about　to　re…enter　the　house；　when　she　saw
a　stranger　approaching　it。　　He　was　dressed　in　a　handsome
buckskin　suit；　and　a　wide　Mexican　hat；　but　she　knew　at　once
that　he　was　an　American；　and　she　waited　to　receive　him。

As　soon　as　he　saw　her；　he　removed　his　hat　and　approached　with
it　in　his　hand。　　Perhaps　he　was　conscious　that　the　act　not
only　did　homage　to　womanhood；　but　revealed　more　perfectly　a
face　of　remarkable　beauty　and　nobility。　　For　the　rest；　he　was
very　tall；　powerfully　built；　elegantly　proportioned；　and　his
address　had　the　grace　and　polish　of　a　cultured　gentleman。

〃I　wish　to　see　Dr。　Worth；　Dona。〃

With　a　gentle　inclination　of　the　head；　she　led　him　to　the　door
of　her　father's　office。　　She　was　the　only　one　in　the　Doctor's
family　at　all　familiar　with　the　room。　　The　Senora　said　so
many　books　made　her　feel　as　if　she　were　in　a　church　or
monastery；　she　was　afraid　to　say　anything　but　paternosters　in
it。　　Isabel　cowered　before　the　poor　skeleton　in　the　corner；
and　the　centipedes　and　snakes　that　filled　the　bottles　on　the
shelves。　　There　was　not　a　servant　that　would　enter　the　room。

But　Antonia　did　not　regard　books　as　a　part　of　some　vague
spiritual　power。　　She　knew　the　history　of　the　skeleton。　　She
had　seen　the　death　of　many　of　those　〃little　devils〃　corked　up
in　alcohol。　　She　knew　that　at　this　hour；　if　her　father　were　at
home　he　was　always　disengaged；　and　she　opened　the　door
fearlessly；　saying；　〃Father；　here　is　a　gentleman　who　wishes　to
see　you。〃

The　doctor　had　quite　refreshed　himself；　and；　in　a　house…suit
of　clean；　white　linen；　was　lying　on　a　couch　reading。　　He　arose
with　alacrity；　and　with　his　pleasant　smile　seemed　to　welcome
the　intruder；　as　he　stepped　behind　him　and　closed　the　door。　
Antonia　had　disappeared。　　They　were　quite　alone。

〃You　are　Doctor　Robert　Worth；　sir？〃

Their　eyes　met；　their　souls　knew　each　other。

〃And　you　are　Sam　Houston？〃

The　questions　were　answered　in　a　hand　grip；　a　sympathetic
smile　on　both　facesthe　freemasonry　of　kindred　spirits。

〃I　have　a　letter　from　your　son　Thomas；　doctor；　and　I　think；
also；　that　you　will　have　something　to　say　to　me；　and　I　to
you。〃

The　most　prudent　of　patriots　could　not　have　resisted　this　man。　
He　had　that　true　imperial　look　which　all　born　rulers　of　men
possessthat　look　that　half　coerces；　and　wholly　persuades。　
Robert　Worth　acknowledged　its　power　by　his　instant　and
decisive　answer。

〃I　have；　indeed；　much　to　say　to　you。　　We　shall　have　dinner
directly；　then　you　will　give　the　night　to　me？〃

After　a　short　conversation　he　led　him　into　the　sala　and
introduced　him　to　Antonia。　　He　himself　had　to　prepare　the
Senora　for　her　visitor；　and　he　had　a　little　quaking　of　the
heart　as　he　entered　her　room。　　She　was　dressed　for　dinner；　and
turned　with　a　laughing　face　to　meet　him。

〃I　have　been　listening　to　the　cooks　quarrelling　over　the　olla；
Roberto。　　But　what　can　my　poor　Manuel　say　when　your　Irishwoman
attacks　him。　　Listen　to　her！　　‘Take　your　dirty　stew　aff
the　fire　then！　　Shure　it　isn't　fit　for　a　Christian　to　ate　at
all！'〃

〃I　hope　it　is；　Maria；　for　we　have　a　visitor　to…night。〃

〃Who；　then；　my　love？〃

〃Mr。　Houston。〃

〃Sam　Houston？　　Holy　Virgin　of　Guadalupe　preserve　us！　　I　will
not　see　the　man。〃

〃I　think　you　will；　Maria。　　He　has　brought　this　letter　for　you
from　our　son　Thomas；　and　he　has　been　so　kind　as　to　take　charge
of　some　fine　horses；　and　sell　them　well　for　him　in　San
Antonio。　　When　a　man　does　us　a　kindness；　we　should　say　thank
you。〃

〃That　is　truth；　if　the　man　is　not　the　Evil　One。　　As　for　this
Sam　Houston；　you　should　have　heard　what　was　said　of　him　at　the
Valdez's。〃

〃I　did　hear。　　Everything　was　a　lie。〃

〃But　he　is　a　very　common　man。〃

〃Maria；　do　you　call　a　soldier；　a　lawyer；　a　member　of　the
United　States　Congress；　a　governor　of　a　great　State　like
Tennessee；　a　common　man？　　Houston　has　been　all　of　these
things。〃

〃It　is；　however；　true　that　he　has　lived　with　Indians；　and　with
those　Americans；　who　are　bad；　who　have　no　God；　who　are
infidels；　and　perhaps　even　cannibals。　　If　he　is　a　good
man；　why　does　he　live　with　bad　men？　　Not　even　the　saints　could
do　that。　　A　good　man　should　be　in　his　home。　　Why　does　he　not
stay　at　home。〃

〃Alas！　Maria；　that　is　a　woman's　fault。　　He　loved　a　beautiful
girl。　　He　married　her。　　My　dear　one；　she　did　not　bless　his
life　as　you　have　blessed　mine。　　No　one　knows　what　his　sorrow
was；　for　he　told　no　one。　　And　he　never　blamed　her；　only　he
left　his　high　office　and　turned　his　back　forever　on　his　home。〃

〃Ah！　the　cruel　woman。　　Holy　Virgin；　what　hard　hearts　thou　hast
to　pray　for！〃

〃Come　down　and　smile　upon　him；　Maria。　　I　should　like　him　to
see　a　high…born　Mexican　lady。　　Are　they　not　the　kindest　and
fairest　among　all　God's　women？　　I　know；　at　least；　Maria；　that
you　are　kind　and　fair〃；　and　he　took　her　hands；　and　drew　her
within　his　embrace。

What　good　wife　can　resist　her　husband's　wooing？　　Maria　did
not。　　She　lifted　her　face；　her　eyes　shone　through　happy　tears；
she　whispered　softly：　　〃My　Robert；　it　is　a　joy　to　please　you。　
I　will　be　kind；　I　will　be　grateful　about　Thomas。　　You
shall　see　that　I　will　make　a　pleasant　evening。〃

So　the　triumphant　husband　went　down；　proud　and　happy；　with　his
smiling　wife　upon　his　arm。　　Isabel　was　already　in　the　room。　
She　also　wore　a　white　frock；　but　her　hair　was　pinned　back　with
gold　butterflies；　and　she　had　a　beautiful　golden　necklace
around　her　throat。　　And　the　Senora　kept　her　word。　　She　paid
her　guest　great　attention。　　She　talked　to　him　of　his
adventures　with　the　Indians。　　She　requested　her　daughters　to
sing　to　him。　　She　told　him　stories　of　the　old　Castilian
families　with　which　she　was　connected；　and　described　her　visit
to　New　Orleans　with　a　great　deal　of　pleasant　humor。　　She　felt
that　she　was　doing　herself　justice；　that　she　was　charming；
and；　consequently；　she　also　was　charmed　with　the　guest　and　the
occasion　which　had　been　so　favorable　to　her。

After　the　ladies　had　retired；　the　doctor　led　his　visitor　into
his　study。　　He　sat　down　silently　and　placed　a　chair　for
Houston。　　Both　men　hesitated　for　a　moment　to　open　the
conversation。　　Worth；　because　he　was　treading　on　unknown
ground；　Houston；　because　he　did　not　wish　to　force；　even　by
a　question；　a　resolution　which　he　felt　sure　would　come
voluntarily。

The　jar　of　tobacco　stood　between　them；　and　they　filled　their
pipes　silently。　　Then　Worth　laid　a　letter　upon　the　table；　and
said：　　〃I　unstand｛sic｝　from　this；　that　my　son　Thomas　thinks
the　time　has　come　for　decisive　action。〃

〃Thomas　Worth　is　right。　　With　such　souls　as　his　the　foundation
of　the　state　must　be　laid。〃

〃I　am　glad　Thomas　has　taken　the　position　he　has；　but　you　must
remember；　sir；　that　he　is　unmarried　and　unembarrassed　by　many
circumstances　which　render　decisive　movement　on　my　part　a　much
more　difficult　thing。　　Yet　no　man　now　living　has　watched　the
Americanizing　of　Texas　with　the　interest　that　I　have。〃

〃You　have　been　long　on　the　watch；　sir。〃

〃I　was　here　when　my　countrymen　came　first；　in　little　companies
of　five　or　ten　men。　　I　saw　the　party　of　twenty；　who　joined　the
priest　Hidalgo　in　eighteen　hundred　and　ten；　when　Mexico　made
her　first　attempt　to　throw　off　the　Spanish　yoke。〃

〃An　unsuccessful　attempt。〃

〃Yes。　　The　next　year　I　made　a　pretended　professional　journey
to　Chihuahua；　to　try　and　save　their　lives。　　I　failed。　
They　were　shot　with　Hidalgo　there。〃

〃Yet　the　strife　for　liberty　went　on。〃

〃It　did。　　Two　years　afterwards；　Magee　and　Bernardo；　with
twelve　hundred　Americans；　raised　the　standard