The Washingtonian., 1845-09-13


that from the beginning to the end, did not last
above ten minutes, and in that time nearly eight
hundred Mexicans were shot or cut down. "No
quarter!" was the cry of the infurlated assaIl-
ants "Remember Alamo Remember Goliad!
Think of Tanning! Ward!" The Mexicans
threw themselves on their knees imporing
mercy. Misericordia poor el amor de Dios!'
shrieked they in heart. rending tones; but their
supplications were not listened to-, and every
man of them would have been butchered, had
not General Houston and the officers dashed in
between the vctors and the vanqushed, and
with the greatest difficulty, and by the threats
of cutting down our own men if they did not
desist, put an erd to this scene OF bloodshed,
and saved the Texan character from the stain
of unmanly cruelty. 'e "a ,to'.
| When all was over, l hurried back to the
place where had left the Alcade with Bob
The latter lay bleeding from six wounds, only
a few PAGES from the spot where he had helped
me up the breast work the bodies of two dead
Mexicans served him for pillow. The Alcade
was bending by his side, gazing sadly and earn
estly into the face of the dying. For Bob was
dying; but it was no longer the death of the
desparing murderer. The expression of his
features was calm and composed, and his eyes
were raised to Heaven with a look Of hope and
supplication. "f."".of
stopped down and asked him how he felt,
but he made me no answer, and evidently did
not recollect me. After minute or two
"How goes it with the fght?" he asked in
broken voice. E@0 .t t..t
"We have conquered, Bob, the enemy killed
and taken. Not a man escaped.
| 7 He paused little, and then spoke again.
" Have done my duty? May hope to be
forgivenW a"a. s& ;:tlis5a1l s2E2s 'HsHst1'I
1.-THE Alcade answered him, in an agitated
voice: s.a .U '..H #. a.E#
"He who forgave the sinner on the cross,
will doubtless be merciful to you, Bob. His
holy book Says There is more joy over
one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety
and nine just men, Be of good cheer, Bob!
The Almighty will surely be merciful to you!"
"Thauk ye, squire," gasped Bob, "you are
a true friend in life and death. Well, it has
come, it's come at last, said he, while a re-
signed and happy smile stole over his features.
"Ive prayed for it long enough. Thank God,
it's come at last!'' ~3sl.aa ~1a p
He gazed up at the Acade with kindly ex-
preston of countenance. There was a slight
shuddering movement of his whole frame-Bob
was dead 4. tH1
The Alcade remained kncelng for short
time by the corpse, his lips moved in prayer.
AT last he rose to his feet: an gaut h
God dcsireth not the death Of sinner but
rather that he may turn and live,'' said he in a
low and solemn tone. "Ihad these words in
my thoughts four years ago, when cut him
down from the branch of the Patriarch" N~
"Four years ago!" cried l. "Then you cut
him down and were in time to save him! Was
it lie who yesterday brought US news of the
vicinity of the foe 2" ua9 m-
at was, and much more has he done," re-
piled the Alcade, no longer striving to conceal
the tears that fell from his eyes. "Four years
has he dragged on his wretched existence,
weary of the world and despised of men. For
four years has he served US, lived, fought, and
spied for us, without honor, reward, hope, or
onsolation-without single hour OF tranquil
ity, or wish for naught except death. All
this to serve Texas and his countrymen Who
will say this man was not true patriot! God
will surely be merciful to his SOUL" said the
| IL N
II trust that he will" answered /, deeply
affected. So 1ls uu@ a I ann
We were interrupted at this moment by a
messenger from Gen. Houston, to whom we
Immediately hastened. All was uproar and
confusion, Santa Anna could not be found
among the prisoners. '.tt'1 ~ ~ *...+
! This was terrible DISAPPOINTMENT for the
capture Of the Mexican President had been our
principal object, and the victory we had gained
was comparatively unimportant if he escaped.
Indeed, the hope of putting an end to the war
| by his capture, had more than anything encour-
aged and stimulated us to the unequal conflict.
| The moment was very critical one. Among
our men were thirty or forty most desperate
characters, who began handling their knives
and casting looks on the prisoners, the meaning
| of which it was impossible to mistake. Select