Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-06-05

WHAT WOuIu you nave NE 20 IL tue WeXi.
cans are in such force as this, surely to de.
fend this house would be of little use, IN.
less indeed your warriors could he brought
DOWN.
NV warriors are far on the war path, and
Fray Cr,stobal is alone. His arm would be
as reed 10 defend; but he will hide the
gray. head and his hock,' exclaimed he, his
eye CHANGING with look of mingled bitter
ness md admiration at Helen.
Fly, and leave my home to tie Destroyer
Or stay & be destroyed with your home,'
said the ComancIe chief.
Father in,erposed Helen, rising and
moving nearer TO him, better let home and
the wealth of tins world perish alone, than
MS die with il. lfihere is danger, follow
Crlstobal's advice, and Ay.'
1T is too laie,' said the Indian in tone Of
deep detection; look up the valley; the
sombreros of the Mcxcans are rising on the
edge Of the cliff
Ii was too true; the peace Of that quiet
spot was to be invaded, and by the ruthless
and pi,iless Mcxicans, with orders 10 treat all
Americans as rebels, and pu, them 10 death
on the spot. Before the strength Of Texas
was discovered, such was the terrible policy
of the late President Santa Anna. A loud
shout from the Mexican cavalry proclaimed
their delight at their arrival at habitation I;
and in few moments the house was sur
rounded. and all its inhabitants made prison.
ers. except Fray Cris,obal, who had Instant
" sought the cover Of The wood. The wild
appearance of the centralisl troops was little
calculated 10 reassure the capIives. With
huge low-crowned hats, gaudy jackets adorn-
ed with buttons, pant looms covered with tin
sci, and the serdpc saitiiiero, or fancy blank
ei,lhey at the first glance looked picturesque
enough but black and unwasIed faces, eyes
in winch cleaned no fire of mind or intellect,
the knowledge of their gross ignorance, with
their hinge moustaches, blunderbusses, and
every variety Of f,e.arms, filled the Thoughts
will, visions Of bandilti, TO whom, in guise
and conduct, the Mexican soldiers unfortu.
nately approximate too much.
Andrew Pollock, with his whole family
and dependents, we're now led before the
commanding officer, a young man in faded
uniform, with the addition Of a yellow cloak
and high siecple-crowned hat. This was
Colonel Don Jose de Sarmicnto, who, cycling
his prisoners wiihIittle favor-excepi indeed
the far-hsired tLnow psllid Helen-inquired
who they we're, aud what they did within
the confines of the Mexican territory ? An.
drew Pollock, who understood Spanish, re-
piled somewhat haugh,ily that he was free.
born American citizen, and nv adoption, a
member Of the new republic Of Texas. Co.
lionel DonJose scarcely permitted him to fin.
ish his reply. "A rebel! a rebel! Muertos
todos los Tejanos" shall rest here a
day or so: Tomorrow morning at daybreak,
let these rebels'-comprehending by sweep
of his arm all the white mcn-'die. You,
Pietro, back to General Woll, and bring his
warrant for their execution Andrew Pol
lock and his sons, with all the white men,
were now hurried into one Of their oulhous-
es, round which strong guard was placed,
while Helen and the rest of the women were
placed in safe custody within one Of the huts
Of the laborers, also guarded.
Colonel J sse, after giving the inexplicablr
order, as it appeared to his men. to spare all
property as much as possible, and to touch
nothing but what was absolutely necessary
for their refreshmeni, sat down on the lawn
with his officers to eat the untasied breakfast
which had been prepared for its righ'ful
owners. For some time the colonel was ST.
lent, apparently musing deeply within him
self. Al length he spoke in low tone 10
the mex, in command. 1t appeared that,
struck by the comfort. peace, and tranquility
of that retired hamlet, the soldier, called
much against his will from the pleasures Of
Mexico city, had conceived a desire, very
natural in a conqnerer, of appropr'aiing Pot.
lock property To his own use; and rs Of
course, in his view of things, Mexico mus,
triumph, OF settling there aud making i his
home. 1T will make lovely Iancsero, he
said, gazing with admiration at all the evi.
dences Of Anglo Saxon taste and industry
displayed around, land with that li,ile fair
beauty for its mistress, il would be perfect
paradise Col. Jose was VIGOROUSLY man
Of impulse (; but as the present within prom
iscd to transform lieutenant.cOlOneli into a
colonel, the inferior officer made no comment.
but with a meaning smile said, 'Yon can
learn your fate al once: make her hand the
price of hr fathers life, and ] doubt
not Padre Vevorilia will wed you on the
spot. The old fellow will doubtless bs too
happy to give his daughters hand and his
possessions TO save his rebel life Colonel
Jose, approving Of his subordinate's idea,
Helen and her father were sent for. The in
ierview took place in the best room Of the
house, where the invader unceremoniously
installed himself in the arm. chair that up TO
that day only the pa,riah of the spo, ever
sat in. The colonel's air was self satisfied
and confident. He knew the lax PRINCIPLES
in vogue in Mexico. and that few would there
hesitate between life and honor. He there
fore boldly broached his proposition Of giving
Pollock and all his dependents liberty in
exchange for his possessions aud his daugh-
ter. Pollock was pelri6ed: while Helen.
who understoodS parish, looked at her captor
in disgust. NO, infamous spoila,o,!' said the
stern Kentuckian 'my life is in your hands
take il; but neither land nor child shall
be yours. Nv daughter wed Mexican rob.
her! No. My life you will take but yeia
few days. aud my brave connirymon will
scourge you and your race back beyond the
Great River The colonel was ss,ounded,
and at once ordered his prisoners back to
confinement. Sentiments Of this character
we're SO new to him, that il required some
leisure ere he could fully CO nprehend their
force. lie then reiterated his commands for
dreds Of Texans to bloody end. Four hundred were
slaughtered in cold blood at one time IN the war.