Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-12
ADVENTURES TEXAS.
No H.
[Continued.]

Continued
was awakened the following morning by the
sound of a horses feet and looking out OF the
window saw Bob dismounting from his mustang.
The last twenty-four hours had told iearlully up
on him. His limbs seemed powerless and he
reeed aud staggered in snch a manner, that at
first thought him intoxicated. But such was not
the case. His was the deadly WEAKNESS caused
by mental anguish. He looked like one Just taken
off the rack
Hastily pulling my clothes, hurried down
stairs, aud opened the house door. Bob stood with
his head resting his horses neck, and his hands
crossed, shiyerlng and grooming When | spoke
to him he looked up, but did not seem TO know me- ]
tied his horse to post, and takinghis hand led him
into the house. lie loowedlike child apparently
without the will or the power to resist; aud when
placed him chair, he fell into il with weight
that made it crack under him and shook the house.
| could not get him to speak, and about to re-
turn TO my room to complete my toilet, when
again heard the tramp OF mustangs. This was a
party of half dozen horsemen, all dressed IN hunt
ing shirts over buckskln breaches and jackets,
and armed with rifles and bowe-kniyes stout,
daring looking fellows, evidently from the south
western states. with the true Kentucky halEhorse,
half-agator profile, and the usual allowance OF
thunder, lightning and earthquake Ii struck me
when saw them, that two or three thousand such
men NOulu nave SNndll uiluCultl III NCaillI WIN
whole army of Mexicans, if the latter we're all oil
the pigmy spinde-shanked breed had seen on first
landing These giants could easily have walked
away with Mexican in each hand.
They Jumped of their horses, and threw the
brides 10 the negroes in the usual kentnckan
dev-may-care style, and then walked into the
house with the air Of people who make themselves
at home everywhere. aud who knew themselves TO
be more masters in Texas than the Mexicans them
ealvae eufertuu the nariOr they nodded n
good morning TO me. rather cody 10 be sure for
they had seen me talking with Bob, which probably
did not much recommend me. Presently, four
more horsemen rode up, and then third party, 50
that there were now fourteen Of them assembled,
all decded-lookng men in the prime OF life and
strength. The Judge, who slept in an adjoining
room, had been awakened by the noise heard
him Jump out OF bed and not three minutes elapsed
before he entered the parlor.
After he had shaken hands with all his visiters
he presented me to them, and found that was
in the presence of no less important persons than
the Ayuntamento of San Felipe de Austin and
that two of my worthy counlrymen were corregi-
doris one n procurador and the others bnenOS hon.
bres; or freehoders. They did not seem however
to prize their titles much for they addressed one
another by their srnames only.
The negro brought a light, opened the cigar
box, and arranged the chairs; the Judge pointed &c
the sideboard, and to the cigars, and then sat down
Some took a dram, others lii cigar.
Several minutes elapsed, during which the meu
sat in perfect silence. as If they were collecting
their thoughts. or though it were uudgnihed tc
show any haste impotence to speak. Thi;
grave sort Of deberation which is met with il
certain classes, aud in certain provinces of the
Union, has often struck curious feature
Of our national character Il parakes oithe soica
dignity OF the Indian at his counc-re, and OF the
stern religious gravity OF the carly puritan settlers
in America
During this pause Bob was writhlng on his chair
like worm, his face concealed by his hands, hi:
elbows on his knees AT last, when all had drank
and smoked. the Judge laid down his cigar.
"Men Z said he.
esquire 7 answered they
"We've a business before us, which | calculate
will be best explained by him whom it concerns
The men looked at the squire then at Bob theI
at me.
Bob Rock or whatever your name may be
il you have augbt to say, say it ! continued th'
Judge
Said it all yesterday, muttered Bob, his face still
covered by his hands.
'Yes, but you must say again to-day YESTERDAY
was Sunday, and Sunday is day of rest, and no
! OF business will neither Judge you, nor ALLOW
you to be judged, by what you said Yesterday
Besides il was all between ourselves, for | don
reckon Mr.. Rivers as any thing; count him still
stranger
i What's the use of so much paaver, when tn
things plain enough?' said Bob peeyishly, raisn
his head as he spoke.
The men stared at him in grave establishment
He was really ffghtful to behold his face of
sort of blue tint his cheeks hollow; his beard will
and ragged his bood-shot eyes rolling, and dee
sunk in their sockets. His appearance was scarce
ly human.
Il tell you again. said the Judge, 4 will cor
denim no man upon his word alone much les
you who have been in my service, and eaten m
bread You accused yourself yesterday, but 20
were delirous at the time-you had the fever upo
you
Its no SQUIRE said Bob, apparently touche
by the kindness Of the Judge You mean well
| see but though you might deliver me out {
mems hands, you couldn't rescue me from mysel
It's no use--l must be hung--hung on the sam
tree under which the man killed lies buried
The men or the jurors, as my call them, ool
ed at one another, but said nothing
It's no use,' again cried Bob, in a shrill agoni'
ed tone. If he had attacked me, or only threaten
ed me but no he didn't do it, | hear his word
still when he said Do il not, man I've vii
aud child What you intend, brings no bessiT