Mountain Democrat., 1857-05-02
NUMBER II
A T7arl1lIng T.e17oo1.

The tragedy Of NAc0gdOcheG, and the,
romantic incidents which led to the Texan
War of independence, find their parallel
only in the Roman history OfLucretis and
the older BFatug @--I-
Juan Costa was person Of influence
and bravery in the wild forest, but he fell
under the displeasure Of Santa Anna, and
his minion, Pedras, the cOinmandant Of
NacOgdoches, was sent 20 arrest him.
lie arrested the father at the supper table,
attended by his only daughter, . young
girl Of surprising beauty and intelligence.
lie londed him with chains, and cast him
into prison notwithstanding her prayers
and entrcaties. Finally he proposed to
free the father, ifthe daughter would con.
sent to sacrifice her innocence and honor.
She rejected the infamous proposal with
blow in the face. The armed rufilan
swore horrible oath to execute hts will
on them both.
With dark eyes, fearless, fixed ss those
Of a corpse, yet flashing double portion
Of luminous fire, she mounted horse
and hurried away wild around the coun-
try.
She halted at every house, no matter
whether Mexican or American, and re-
hearsed, IN thrilling horror, her fathers
wrongs and her own.
All timid modesty, all weakness had
vanished from her tongue, utterly cOnsum-
ed by the scorching thirst for vengeance.
She painted, in passions Hery language,
and with awful minuteUess, the fact Of
the damning deed. She barred her virgin
bosom. and showed the livid marks Of the
ravisher's fingers among the azure veins
along the surface of snow, now 20 pOllu-.
ted and soiled, but before as pure as tho
CLEAN Of an angels wing.
And still, wherever the beawtifal maid
wandered, dcatening yen Of wrath and
vengeance rose up against the tyrants.
Tho people Of both races and al classes,
few to arms, appointing general rcndez-
vous for the 14th ofJune, at the residence
of the absent and now imprisoned Juan
Costa.
1t was there debated by the people tho
mode of attack, and who should be their
leader but nothing being Ggreed on. the
whole asscmblagc bade fair to break up
in confusion, when tall and powerful
built stronger, who had just entered Tex
40 ShO 0SAVCcS SAAAAO ANd W@AN SHSA W.
dressed the multitude.
II arm a stranger, but am also q man,
and owe my life, soul, body, health and
happiness, ALTO woman-to my moth
crl and if I turn q deaf ear to the prayers
of an innocent woman, asking my aid
against a villain, may she and my God
curse mel Ifyou stay behind, 60 for
one to fight Pedras, and his well armed
ravishcrs Of your wives and daughters"
The speech was received with tremen-
dous cheers and general shout, that
seemed to shake the solid earth, uttered
the first peel Of the revolution.
ave will gol Death to the tyrantsl
Freedom for Texas, and the giant shall bc
our leader!"
And then for the first time was hoard
in the land Of Texas, the name destined
to become an echo to the pulsatiOn Ofall
hearts-the name of Thomas j. Rusk.
The next day he led hisraw recruits to
the attack Of Nacogdochcs and stor1nctl
every position against immense odds, af-
ter an assault of four hours, the carnage
being dreadful on both sides. Fortunate
ly among the slain was the dead body Of
the atrocious Pedras