remember the alamo-第4章
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For she had been born during those stormy days when Magee and
Bernardo； with twelve hundred Americans； first flung the
banner of Texan independence to the wind； when the fall of
Nacogdoches sent a thrill of sympathy through the United
States； and enabled Cos and Toledo； and the other
revolutionary generals in Mexico； to carry their arms against
Old Spain to the very doors of the vice…royal palace。 She
had heard from her father many a time the whole brave；
brilliant storythe same story which has been made in all
ages from the beginning of time。 Only the week before； they
had talked it over as they sat under the great fig…tree
together。
〃History but repeats itself；〃 the doctor had said then； 〃for
when the Mexicans drove the Spaniards； with their court
ceremonies； their monopolies and taxes； back to Spain； they
were just doing what the American colonists did； when they
drove the English royalists back to England。 It was natural；
too； that the Americans should help the Mexicans； for； at
first； they were but a little band of patriots； and the
American…Saxon has like the Anglo…Saxon an irresistible
impulse to help the weaker side。 And oh； Antonia！ The cry of
Freedom！ Who that has a soul can resist it？〃
She remembered this conversation as she stood in the pallid
dawning； and watched her father ride swiftly away。 The story
of the long struggle in all its salient features flashed
through her mind； and she understood that it is not the sword
alone that gives libertythat there must be patience before
courage； that great ideas must germinate for years in the
hearts of men before the sword can reap the harvest。
The fascinating memory of Burr passed like a shadow across her
dreaming。 The handsome Lafayettesthe gallant Nolansthe
daring Huntersthe thousands of forgotten American traders
and explorersbold and enterprisingthey had sown the seed。
For great ideas are as catching as evil ones。 A Mexican； with
the iron hand of Old Spain upon him and the shadow of the
Inquisition over him； could not look into the face of an
American； and not feel the thought of Freedom stirring in his
heart。
It stirred in her own heart。 She stood still a moment to feel
consciously the glow and the enlargement。 Then with an
impulse natural； but neither analyzed nor understood； she
lifted her prayer…book； and began to recite 〃the rising
prayer。〃 She had not said to herself； 〃from the love of
Freedom to the love of God； it is but a step；〃 but she
experienced the emotion and felt all the joy of an adoration；
simple and unquestioned； springing as naturally from the soul
as the wild flower from the prairie。
As she knelt； up rose the sun； and flooded her white figure
and her fair unbound hair with the radiance of the early
morning。 The matin bells chimed from the convent and the
churches； and the singing birds began to flutter their bright
wings； and praise God also； 〃in their Latin。〃
She took her breakfast alone。 The Senora never came
downstairs so early。 Isabel had wavering inclinations； and
generally followed them。 Sometimes； even her father had his
cup of strong coffee alone in his study； so the first meal of
the day was usually； as perhaps it ought to be； a selfishly…
silent one。 〃Too much enthusiasm and chattering at breakfast；
are like too much red at sunrise；〃 the doctor always said； 〃a
dull； bad day follows it〃and Antonia's observation had
turned the little maxim into a superstition。
In the Senora's room； the precept was either denied； or
defied。 Antonia heard the laughter and conversation through
the closed door； and easily divined the subject of it。 It
was； but natural。 The child had a triumph； one that appealed
strongly to her mother's pride and predilections。 It was a
pleasant sight to see them in the shaded sunshine exulting
themselves happily in it。
The Senora； plump and still pretty； reclined upon a large
gilded bed。 Its splendid silk coverlet and pillows cased in
embroidery and lace made an effective background for her。 She
leaned with a luxurious indolence among them； sipping
chocolate and smoking a cigarrito。 Isabel was on a couch of
the same description。 She wore a satin petticoat； and a loose
linen waist richly trimmed with lace。 It showed her beautiful
shoulders and arms to perfection。 Her hands were folded above
her head。 Her tiny feet； shod in satin； were quivering like
a bird's wings； as if they were keeping time with the
restlessness of her spirit。
She had large eyes； dark and bright； strong eyebrows； a pale
complexion with a flood of brilliant color in the checks；
dazzling even teeth； and a small； handsome mouth。 Her black
hair was loose and flowing； and caressed her cheeks and
temples in numberless little curls and tendrils。 Her face was
one flush of joy and youth。 She had a look half…earnest and
half…childlike； and altogether charming。 Antonia adored her；
and she was pleased to listen to the child； telling over
again the pretty things that had been said to her。
〃Only Don Luis was not there at all； Antonia。 There is always
something wanting；〃 and her voice fell with those sad
inflections that are often only the very excess of delight。
The Senora looked sharply at her。 〃Don Luis was not
desirable。 He was better awaymuch better！〃
〃But why？〃
〃Because； Antonia； he is suspected。 There is an American
called Houston。 Don Luis met him in Nacogdoches。 He has
given his soul to him； I think。 He would have fought Morello
about him； if the captain could have drawn his sword in such
a quarrel。 I should not have known about the affair had not
Senora Valdez told me。 Your father says nothing against the
Americans。〃
〃Perhaps； then； he knows nothing against them。〃
〃You will excuse me； Antonia； not only the living but the dead
must have heard of their wickedness。 They are a nation of
ingrates。 Ingrates are cowards。 It was these words Captain
Morello said； when Don Luis drew his sword； made a circle
with its point and stood it upright in the centre。 It was a
challenge to the whole garrigon； and about this fellow
Houston； whom be calls his friend！ Holy Virgin preserve us
from such Mexicans！〃
〃It is easier to talk than to fight。 Morello's tongue is
sharper than his sword。〃
〃Captain Morello was placing his sword beside that of Don
Luis； when the Commandant interfered。 He would not permit his
officers to fight in such a quarrel。 ‘Santo Dios！' he said；
‘you shall all have your opportunity very soon； gentlemen。'
Just reflect upon the folly of a boy like Don Luis；
challenging a soldier like Morello！〃
〃He was in no danger； mother；〃 said Antonia scornfully。
〃Morello is a bully； who wears the pavement out with his
spurs and sabre。 His weapons are for show。 Americans； at
least； wear their arms for use； and not for ornament。〃
〃Listen； Antonia！ I will not have them spoken of。 They are
Jewsor at least infidels； all of them！the devil himself is
their fatherthe bishop； when he was here last confirmation；
told me so。〃
〃Mother！〃
〃At least they are unbaptized Christians； Antonia。 If you are
not baptized； the devil sends you to do his work。 As for Don
Luis； he is a very Judas！ Ah； Maria Santissima！ how I do pity
his good mother！〃
〃Poor Don Luis！〃 said Isabel plaintively。
He is so handsome； and he sings like a very angel。 And he
loves my father； he wanted to be a doctor； so that he could
always be with him。 I dare say this man called Houston is no
better than a Jew； and perhaps very ugly beside。 Let us talk
no more about him and the Americans。 I am weary of them； as
Tia Rachella says； ‘they have their spoon in every one's
mess。'〃
And Antonia； whose heart was burning； only stooped down and
closed her sister's pretty mouth with a kiss。 Her tongue was
impatient to speak for the father； and grandmother； and the
friends； so dear to her； but she possessed great discretion；
and also a large share of that rarest of all womanly graces；
the power under provocation； of 〃putting on Patience the
noble。〃
CHAPTER III。
BUILDERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH。
〃Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing
herself like a strong man afte
