The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-01-04
THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINIO.
THE STRIKING STORY OF ". w. FAY-wHAT
ONE OF THE SURVIVORS SAW THERE,
AND WHAT HE SAW AFTERwARD.

1t was a. the battle of San ,Jacinto that
the rifle came to my notice. We Texans,
having gained advantage over the Nexicans
who first discharge had been aimed too
high-rushed on while our enemies paused
to'feload their guns. Each man reserved his
fire for some individual, so that the strug-
gle was less battle than a succession of
duels. Without bayonets, we broke our
rifles against their heads, and, with pistol
or bowie knife in hand, trample6 down the
dying men, plunging our blades into the
breasts of the few who opposed US, into
the backs of those who fled.
We were still full of memories Of the
Alamo. Never could we forget how the
Mexicans had slaughtered every human be-
ing within its walls, save three-a woman,
child and negro-and afterward burned
the bleeding bodies in one horrible pile.
The war cry of our band had been ::
eight for your lives, aud remember the
Alamo - and the poor Mexicans, who were,
after all, but the slaves of a bloodthirsty
tyrant, thought of it also, and moan ed, as
they fell "Me no Alamo Me no Alamo "a
hoping to establish a claim for mercy, on
the plea that they had no hand in that hor-
BILE affair.
In the midst of this conflict 1 saw my
college chum, Howard Rathbone in instans :
peril. l rushed to his aid. Having broken
HlS Euu oNcT LILO ncdu Ot Ouo Nl6XlCau, ne
found himself beset by another who cried
out that he would avenge his brother s
blood. AS they grappled, the Mexican tried
to use his rifle as my chum had his. 1t was
in vain. Howard was the stronger. In a
few moments he gained possession of the
others weapon, and struck him binding
blow. Then, his hands being free, he drew
his bowie-knife and plunged it into the
Mexican's heart. Meanwhile the savage
do Of fol
a little conflict by itself. Hardly any one
noticed it, there were so many others. But
as he fell, .he dying Mexican clutched the
cloth of the soldiers coat in the grip of
death, and dragged him down upon his
breast, where for a moment he lay as one
who had cast himself upon the breast of a
friend. Only a moment; but ere he had
freed himself these words had been hissed
into his ears
81 curse the gun! May it prove the curse
of your life ~
As the Texan struggled to his feet,
wrenching the dead clutch from his Jacket,
he felt inclined to cast The rifle upon the
ground. AT that moment it was too neces-
sary to him. The next he was tiger
again. beset by other tigers.
'.Me no Alamo ~ moaned a bleeding
Mexican.
He struck him down.
"Mother y cried boy into whose breast
he bad plunged his blade.
For answer he drove his iron heel into the
face that was hardly more than a child's.
Seventeen years had PASSED since the
battle of San Jacinto, when | went to the
house of my former chum to see his daugh
ter marry. Soon came the rustic supper
the music of two fiddles, dancing, and
plenty of 6rinking-too much by far, but
II yron Ia nf tba l,e
the bridegroom's father, standing beside
the father Of the bride, glanced up at the
rifle hanging over the chimney piece.
''Some of the relics of your fighting times,
reckon" said he.
eyes," said Rathbone, "yes, l took that
from Mexican rascal at San 1acinto.''
"Well, well" said the other, regarding
the weapon with curiosity. ''Sort of sin
gular looking, amt its never saw Mex.
its SO high up.''
He had bees drinking a good deal and
was in high spirits. The same might have
been said Of the old soldier.
'I'll have it down." said he, "and let
you see it,"
He mounted on a chair and took the
weapon in his hands, the thongs by which
it was slung remaining on their nails.
''Here you are. friend" :" said he. "And
now you We got III your nanu rlne that
may have been the death of many brave
fellow at the Alamo. It's seventeen years
since Il was in anybody's hands, and its last
shot, Naybap, was fired as kind of salute
to my girl, your boys bride, who came in.o
the world on that day, her mother not
knowing whether she was a widow or not.
Eth, mother?''
"Ah that's . day to remember" said
the wife.
'Pa has got his gun down. cried the
bride. ''Sam, l never saw the gun down
before"
AS she spoke the other man gave the rife
back into Rathbone's hands, and he stood
holding it.
"You don't dare to shoot me-" cried the
bride. "Ah pa, you're not as brave at
you used to be. You don't dare aim q,
me-
Yes, shoot us," laughed half dozeu