remember the alamo-第31章
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Its citizens then were well used to the fortunes and changes
of war。 Men were living who had seen the horrors of the auto
da fe and the splendors of viceregal authority。 Insurgent
nobles； fighting priests； revolutionizing Americans； all sorts
and conditions of men； all chances and changes of religious
and military power； had ruled it with a temporary absolutism
during their generation。
In the main there was a favorable feeling regarding its
occupation by the Americans。 The most lawless of them were
law…abiding in comparison with any kind of victorious
Mexicans。 Americans protected private property； they honored
women； they observed the sanctity of every man's home； 〃and；
as for being heretics； that was an affair for the saints and
the priests； the comfortable benefits of the Holy Catholic
Church； had not been vouchsafed to all nations。〃
Political changes are favorable to religious tolerance； and
the priests themselves had been sensible of a great decrease
in their influence during the pending struggle。 Prominent
Mexicans had given aid and comfort to the Americans in
spite of their spiritual orders； and there were many men who；
like Lopez Navarro； did not dare to go to confession； because
they would have been compelled to acknowledge themselves
rebels。
When the doctor and Dare and Luis reached the Plaza； the
morning after the surrender； they found the city already
astir。 Thousands of women were in the churches saying masses
for the dead； the men stood at their store doors or sat
smoking on their balconies； chatting with the passers…by or
watching the movements of the victorious army and the
evacuation of the conquered one。
Nearly all of the brave two hundred occupied the Plaza。 They
were still greatly excited by the miraculous ecstacy of
victory。 But when soldiers in the death…pang rejoice under
its influence； what wonder that the living feel its
intoxicating rapture？ They talked and walked as if they
already walked the streets of Mexico。 All things seemed
possible to them。 The royalty of their carriage； the
authority in their faces； gave dignity even to their deerskin
clothing。 Its primitive character was its distinction；
and the wearers looked like the demi…gods of the heroic stage
of history。
Lopez Navarro touched the doctor and directed his attention to
them。 〃Does the world； Senor； contain the stuff to make their
counterparts？〃
〃They are Americans； Navarro。 And though there are a variety
of Americans； they have only one opinion about submitting to
tyrantsTHEY WON'T DO IT！〃
This was the conversation interrupted by Ortiz and the message
he brought； and the doctor was thoroughly sobered by the
events following。 He was not inclined to believe； as the
majority of the troops did； that Mexico was conquered。 He
expected that the Senora's prediction would be verified。 And
the personal enmity which the priesthood felt to him induced
a depressing sense of personal disaster。
Nothing in the house or the city seemed inclined to settle。
It took a few days to draw up the articles of capitulation and
clear the town of General Cos and the Mexican troops。 And he
had no faith in their agreement to 〃retire from Texas； and
never again carry arms against the Americans。〃 He knew that
they did not consider it any sin to make 〃a mental
reservation〃 against a heretic。 He was quite sure that if Cos
met reinforcements； he would have to be fought over again
immediately。
And amid these public cares and considerations； he had serious
private ones。 The Senora was still under the control of Fray
Ignatius。 It required all the influence of his own personal
presence and affection to break the spiritual captivity in
which he held her。 He knew that the priest had long been his
enemy。
He saw that Antonia was hated by him。 He was in the shadow of
a terror worse than deaththat of a long； hopeless captivity。
A dungeon and a convent might become to them a living grave；
in which cruelty and despair would slowly gnaw life away。
And yet； for a day or two he resolved not to speak of his
terror。 The Senora was so happy in his presence； and she had
such kind confidences to give him about her plans for her
children's future； that he could not bear to alarm her。 And
the children also were so full of youth's enthusiasms and
love's sweet dreams。 Till the last moment why should he
awaken them？ And as the strongest mental element in a
home gives the tone to it； so Dare and Antonia； with the
doctor behind them； gave to the Mexican household almost an
American freedom of intercourse and community of
pleasure。
The Senora came to the parlor far more frequently； and in her
own apartments her children visited her with but slight
ceremony。 They discussed all together their future plans。
They talked over a wonderful journey which they were to take
in company to New Orleans； and Washington； and New York； and
perhaps even to London and Paris〃who could tell； if the
Senora would be so good as to enjoy herself？〃 They ate more
together。 They got into the habit of congregating about the
same hearthstone。 It was the Senora's first real experience
of domestic life。
In about six days the Mexican forces left the city。 The terms
of surrender granted General Cos struck the Mexicans with a
kind of wonder。 They had fought with the express declaration
that they would take no American prisoner。 Yet the Americans
not only permitted Cos and his troops to leave under parole of
honor； but gave them their arms and sufficient ammunition
to protect themselves from the Indians on their journey home。
They allowed them also all their private property。 They
furnished them with the provisions necessary to reach the Rio
Grande。 They took charge of their sick and wounded。 They set
all the Mexican prisoners at libertyin short； so great was
their generosity and courtesy that the Mexicans were unable to
comprehend their motives。
Even Lopez was troubled at it。 〃I assure you；〃 he said to Dr。
Worth； 〃they will despise such civility； they will not believe
in its sincerity。 At this very blessed hour of God； they are
accusing the Americans of being afraid to press their
advantage。 Simply； you will have the fight to make over
again。 I say this； because I know Santa Anna。〃
〃Santa Anna is but a man； Lopez。〃
〃Me perdonas！ He is however a man who knows a trick more than
the devil。 One must be careful of a bull in front； of a mule
behind； and of a monk and Santa Anna on all sides。 At the
word monk； Lopez glanced significantly at a passing priest；
and Doctor Worth saw that it was Fray Ignatius。
〃He sprinkled the Mexican troops with holy water； and blessed
them as they left the city this morning。 He has the ear of
General Cos。 He is not a man to offend； I assure you；
Doctor。〃
The doctor walked thoughtfully away。 San Antonio was full of
his friends； yet never had he felt himself and his family to
be in so much danger。 And the words of Lopez had struck a
responding chord in his own consciousness。 The careless
bravery； the splendid generosity of his countrymen was at
least premature。 He went through the city with observing
eyes； and saw much to trouble him。
The gates of Alamo were open。 Crockett lounged upon his rifle
in the Plaza。 A little crowd was around him； and the big
Tennesseean hunter was talking to them。 Shouts of laughter；
bravas of enthusiasm； answered the homely wit and stirring
periods that had over and over 〃made room for Colonel
Crockett；〃 both in the Tennessee Legislature and the United
States Congress。 His rifle seemed a part of hima kind of
third arm。 His confident manner； his manliness and bravery；
turned his wit into wisdom。 The young fellows around
found in him their typical leader。
The elegant James Bowie was sitting on the verandah of the
Veramendi House； calmly smoking。 His fair； handsome face；
clear blue eyes and mild manners； gave no indication of the
gigantic physical strength and tremendous coolness and courage
of the man who never tolerated an enemy in his presence。
Burleson and Travis were talking under the shade of a China
tree； and there were little groups of America
