Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-04
Select Gales.
BY PERCY ST. JOHN.
FRAY CRISTOBAL!
ASTORY OFTHE TEXAN REVOLUTION

Before the war which for many years filled
with desolation and rapine the whole of Texas,
colonization was extending its beneficial influence
into the very heart of the country. The untir-
ing energy and perseverance of the Anglo-SaXon
race we're carrying the arts Of peace and civil
cation into the wilds and in every district
where wood, water, and fertile land tempted the
adventurer, arose farms and cultivated fields
The sagages, even the wild and warlike Canaan
ches, were easily conciliated, and the whole land
was dotted--at vast distances one from another,
it is true-wth smiling homesteads That
happy and noble results would have eusued,
none can doubt, had not the trump Of war sha-
ken the fabric of society, and replaced the back
settlements in the condition of a wild and un-
productive waste.
Andrew Pollock Kentuckian landowner Of
no nconsiderabe wealth, had been one Of the
earliest colonists who determined, at the instance
Of Moses Austin, the original settler, to make
Texas his home. OF peculiar tastes, however,
which led him to love the solitude and sublimity
of the woods and the mighty prairies where
none but the painted Indian is found to DWELL
Pollock with his family, passed the outermost
borders of civilization, and erected his tent
some thirty miles beyond San Antonio de Bexar,
within the district where the Arabs of the Amer
lean desert, the Camanches, hunted and fought.
His habitaton presented, after two years of care
had been devoted to it, most pleasing sight
Andrew Pollock selected as his abiding place
the mouth of valley, where stream burst from
its pent up position between craggy heights. To
the north and east spread a vast plain, dotted
with its lands of timber, while thick grove in
the vicinity of the dwelling showed that the
wary Kentuckan was as much alive to the i'm
portance of his proximity to wood as to water.
The dwelling and its appurtenances had been e.
rected with care and taste; its size betokening
that room had been provided for large family,
while stockade proved that danger was yet to
be feared in that secluded spot Numerous fields
Of corn, maize, and other vegetable productions
were carefully fenced in, while large herds Of
cattle roamed at will over the plain, recalled at
even by the sound of the guardians voice and
bell.
Early on the first Sabbath morn in May, 1885
the whole family and the laborers were congre.
gated on kind of lawn in front of the dwelling
at breakfast. The family was composed of the
father, brother two sons and a daughter. Hell
len Pollock, charming girl, who added to the
unsophistcaednes Of the wilds the advantages
of an excellent education. dozen farm labor
ers with thei wives, with half as many black
slaves, completed the party, if we add solitary
Indian, who stood leaning against an uprigh
post little way from the table Fray Cristoba
was an anomaly in his tribe About two anc
twenty, gay tall. and handsome, with features
utterly distinct from his companions. though
paint and exposure had done their worst, thi
Young man commanded band of daring war
riors, who had carried their arms into the YER
heart of Mexico His followers, about six
in number, it was notorious, were better accou
tired and better provided in every way than thei
fellows, while, different from the usual India
#Ofths remarkable tribe of Indians-ther manners
customs and pecuarities-an account will be found
1.-THE Enchanted Rock" little volume by the autho
of the above narrative London HAYWARD and Adam