remember the alamo-第12章
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forecasting the future。 He walked to the window； opened it；
and looked towards the mountains。 They had an ethereal hue；
a light without rays； a clearness almost polar in its
severity。 But in some way their appearance infused into
his soul calmness and strength。
〃Liberty has always been bought with life； and the glory of
the greatest nations handseled with the blood of their
founders。〃 This was the thought in his heart； as looking far
off to the horizon； he asked hopefully：
〃What then； O God； shall this good land produce
That Thou art watering it so carefully？〃
CHAPTER V。
A FAMOUS BARBECUE。
〃So when fierce zeal a nation rends；
And stern injustice rules the throne；
Beneath the yoke meek virtue bends；
And modest truth is heard to groan。
But when fair Freedom's star appears；
Then hushed are sighs； and calmed are fears。
And who； when nations long opprest；
Decree to curb the oppressor's pride；
And patriot virtues fire the breast；
Who shall the generous ardor chide？
What shall withstand the great decree；
When a brave nation will be free？
It is flesh and blood that makes husbands and wives； fathers
and children； and for the next few days these ties were sorely
wounded in Robert Worth's house。 The Senora was what Rachela
called 〃difficult。〃 In reality； she was angry and sullen。 At
such times she always went early to mass； said many prayers；
and still further irritated herself by unnecessary fasting。
But there are few homes which totally escape the visitations
of this‘pious temper in some form or other。 And no
creed modifies it； the strict Calvinist and strict Catholic
are equally disagreeable while under its influence。
Besides； the Senora； like the ill…tempered prophet； thought
she 〃did well to be angry。〃 She imagined herself deserted and
betrayed in all her tenderest feelings； her husband a rebel；
her home made desolate； her sons and daughters supporting
their father's imprudent views。 She could only see one
alternative before her； she must choose between her country
and her religion； or her husband and children。
True； she had not yet heard from her sons； but she would
listen to none of Rachela's hopes regarding them。 Thomas had
always said yes to all his father's opinions。 How could she
expect anything from John when he was being carefully trained
in the very principles which everywhere made the Americans so
irritating to the Mexican government。
Her husband and Antonia she would not see。 Isabel she
received in her darkened room； with passionate weeping and
many reproaches。 The unhappy husband had expected this
trouble at the outset。 It was one of those domestic
thorns which fester and hamper； but to which the very best of
men have to submit。 He could only send pleasant and
affectionate messages by Rachela； knowing that Rachela would
deliver them with her own modifications of tone and manner。
〃The Senor sends his great love to the Senora。 Grace of Mary！
If he would do a little as the most wise and tender of spouses
wishes him！ That would be for the good fortune of every one。
〃Ah； Rachela； my heart is broken！ Bring me my mantilla。 I
will go to early mass； when one's husband and children forsake
them； who； then； is possible but the Holy Mother？
〃My Senora； you will take cold； the morning is chill； besides；
I have to say the streets will be full of those insolent
Americans。〃
〃I shall be glad to take cold； perhaps even to die。 And the
Americans do not offend women。 Even the devil has his good
points。〃
〃Holy Virgin！ Offend women！ They do not even think us worth
looking at。 But then it is an intolerable offence to see them
standing in our streets； as if they had made the whole
land。〃
But this morning； early as it was； the streets were empty of
Americans。 There had been hundreds of them there at the
proclamation； there was not one to be seen twelve hours
afterwards。 But at the principal rendezvous of the city； and
on the very walls of the Alamo； they had left this
characteristic notice：
〃To SANTA ANNA：
If you want our arms…take them。
TEN THOUSAND AMERICAN TEXANS。
Robert Worth saw it with an irrepressible emotion of pride and
satisfaction。 He had faithfully fulfilled his promise to his
conscience； and； with his rifle across his shoulder； and his
revolvers and knife in his belt； was taking the road to his
office with a somewhat marked deliberation。 He was yet a
remarkably handsome man； and what man is there that a rifle
does not give a kind of nobility to？ With an up…head carriage
and the light of his soul in his face； he trod the narrow；
uneven street like a soldier full of enthusiasm at his own
commission。
No one interfered with his solitary parade。 He perceived；
indeed； a marked approval of it。 The Zavalas； Navarros。
Garcias； and other prominent citizens； addressed him with but
a slightly repressed sympathy。 They directed his attention
with meaning looks to the counter…proclamation of the
Americans。 They made him understand by the pressure of their
hands that they also were on the side of liberty。
As he did not hurry； he met several officers； but they wisely
affected not to see what they did not wish to see。 For Doctor
Worth was a person to whom very wide latitude might be given。
To both the military and the civilians his skill was a
necessity。 The attitude he had taken was privately discussed；
but no one publicly acted or even commented upon it。 Perhaps
he was a little disappointed at this。 He had come to a point
when a frank avowal of his opinions would be a genuine
satisfaction； when； in fact； his long…repressed national
feeling was imperious。
On the third morning； as he crossed the Plaza； some one called
him。 The voice made his heart leap； his whole nature
responded to it like the strings of a harp to the sweep of a
skilful hand。 He turned quickly； and saw two young men galloping
towards him。 The foremost figure was his sonhis beloved
youngest sonwhom he had just been thinking of as well out of
danger； safe and happy in the peaceful halls of Columbia。 And
lo！ here he was in the very home of the enemy； and he was glad
of it。
〃Why； Jack！〃 he cried； 〃Why； Jack； my boy！ I never thought of
you here。〃 He had his hand on the lad's shoulder； and was
gazing into his bright face with tears and smiles and happy
wonder。
Father； I had to come。 And there are plenty more coming。 And
here is my other selfthe best fellow that ever lived：
Darius Grant。 ‘Dare' we call him； father； for there is not
anything he won't venture if he thinks it worth the winning。
And how is mi madre and Antonia； and Iza？ And isn't it
jolly to see you with a rifle？〃
〃Well； Dare； well； Jack； you are both welcome； never so
welcome to Texas as at this hour。 Come home at once and；
refresh yourselves。〃
There was so much to tell that at first the conversation
was in fragments and exclamations； and the voices of the two
young men； pitched high and clear in their excitement； went
far before them as if impatient of their welcome。 Antonia
heard them first。 She was on the balcony； standing thoughtful
and attent。 It seemed to her as if in those days she was
always listening。 Jack's voice was the loudest； but she heard
Dare's first。 It vibrated in midair and fell upon her
consciousness； clear and sweet as a far…away bell。
〃That is Dare's voice HERE。〃
She leaned forward； her soul hearkened after the vibrations；
and again they called her。 With swift steps she reached the
open door。 Rachela sat in her chair within it。
〃The Senorita had better remain within；〃 she said； sullenly；
〃the sun grows hot。〃
〃Let me pass； Rachela； I am in a hurry。〃
〃To be sure； the Senorita will have her waygood or bad。〃
Antonia heeded her not； she was hastening down the main avenue
toward the gateway。 This avenue was hedged on each side with
oleanders； and they met in a light； waving arch above her
head。 At this season they were one mass of pale pink
blossoms and dark glossy leaves。 The vivid sunshine through
them made
