Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1851-05-28

tones OF sweetest melody, ne Woulu carry
back their memories to their native homes,
and tell them that their grey haired sires
and far off friends. expected every one of
them to perform some exploit in arms, Of
which they might feel justly proud. And
then turning his eagle glance towards the
Rio Grsnde, with his long arm pointing to
the west ike the hand of destiny, he would
lexclaim, with tbs c3arion's voice--yonder
is The road ,Ch,c s7eads to Uengeance, 10 gIo-
ry, and to fame. ..l.t.ss
As the explosion of gunpowder follows
the application of the match, so was restless
and fiery discomfort the necessary conse.
quencs resulting from these orations. The
and at the watch FIRE, was the proFriety of
the army marching against Columbia-ihsn
the capital of Texas-disbanding the Con-
gress, and taking possession off govern
ment. The conquest Of Mexico, was con-
sidered as the certain result which would
follow the invasion Of that country. And
thus, the greater part of the army were pre-
pared to overthrow the government, assume
the temporary reins Of power, and then a.
bandon Texas to invade Mexico. y'JI
There was but one mind in Texas sufi- =
ciently comprehensive, but one ,cW sud-
ciently powerful to check and counteract
the designs of Felix Huston. 7hat mind
and ,c'H, formed part Of the character of
Sam Houston.
1t was on a bright and beautiful after
noon in that southern winter, when Felix
Huston had Just concluded one of his most
thrilling and impassioned addresses. and
the acclamations Of soldiers were yet re-
sounding over the prairie, when a single
horseman was deserted coming forward at
headlong speed, from the direction Of the
Navidad. The rapidity ofhis pace, and the
striking peculiarly Of his bearing and cos
tune, caused all eyes to be turned towards
the coming stranger. With rifle in one
hand and the reins firmly grasped in the o.
ther, he sat on his horse with that wild grace
and daring skill so peculiar 10 the ranger of
Texas. His long brown hair flowed care
lessly upon his shoulders, aud the broad
brim of his white hat was blown back ex-
posing TO the view, his bold, high forehead,
and his eye Of daun;less and piercing blue.
| No one who had ever listened to a re.
countal Of the hair breadth escapes, and
desperate exploits Of SHE Spy company"
and had heard personal description Of its
leader, required to be told that the coming
horseman was "Dest Smith, THE sLEEPLEsS
EYE" ofthe army Of rexas. Without check
ing lis speed, he dashed up to within e few
feet Of Felix Huston, when he came to q
dead halt, and looking him full in the face,
without preface or remark, lie abruptly
said:
"Sdm Houston has hailed for the night
on the banks cf The Navidad, and ,UiH be in
your camp to-n,orro,o morning."
/ Such was the first announcement TO the
army, of the approach ofthe President.
For an instant the blood mantled the brow
Of Felix Huston, but he promptly replied in
! loud though courteous tone-"G0 back and
tell the President MotAie army WiN6e hap
py to receire h.n." Without moving a
muscle of his face. or making the slightest
inclination of his body, he wheeled his horse
and in moment more was flying far away
over the prairie.
The prestige of Sam Houston's name
and character was felt by every one, and a
feeling Of wonder, mingled with awe, spread
itself over the army.
Long after mid night, the tall and mill
tary form of Felix Huston might be seen
moving TO and fro, with long and measured
strides, in front ofhis tent; his proud head
bent forward npon his bosom, ,and his every
attitude indicating troubled mind and a
restless heart. He felt thathis vision Of con-
quest beyond the Rio Grande, were about
to vanisl. like the smoke of battle, and that
his ambitious aspirlngs were to be but un-
productive dreams. Although a man Of
dauntless daring, and power and intellect,
he felt that superior will, against which
he could not contend, was about to thwart
him. He knew that Sam Houston had come,
not to beard, but to conquer the lion in his
den.
Night rolled away; morning came, and the
army Of Texas was drawn up in battle line
to receive the hero of San Jacinto! The
line of review was formed resting on the
La Baca, and fronting a dense forest so
heavily veiled with Spanish moss, as to ex-
clude all view ofthe approaching President,
until he rounded the point of the forest OPP
nooika the r;obf nf the line whe n his aallsut