The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-10-04
CONTINUED from page 81
THE LAST REDoUBT.

and now good-by, and may Heaven
bless you!'
They were on the shore, and with a
final blessing and hand-clasp Cormac
stepped into his boat, and bent to his
oars, and presently he was far out on
the Laguna. And the good priest
turned away, and his eyes were moist.
His work here was done-the seed
planted by a good Catholic mother,
and watered by himself, had borne
fruit What would the final result
be?
He rowed north of Padre Island out
into the Gulf, and then, familiar with
the sea from boyhood, he holded his
oars and hoisted sail and the little
boat flew before the wind and the
soft breeze and early morning sun
brought him a measure of comfort.
He was young, he was going to the
fulflment of his hearts desire. And
his dear father and mother-were
they not in that place of refresh
ment, light and peace" where pain
and parting are no more?
Perhaps it was about five o'clock,
or later, that his keen dark eyes spied
far off the outline of ship. Deity
he began to tack in that direction.
What the priest had thought proba-
BILE came to pass. He was seen, sus-
pected of being a Mexican spy, and
promptly taken on board the first ship
of the line Brought before Commo-
dore Perry, he speedily won his way
to that hero's good graces and permits
sion to remain on the ship and con
tinue the voyage on to Vera Cruz
was readily given. On the 22d OF
March he participated with Perry and
Scott in the bombardment of Vera
Cruz, and on the 10Th, with the vic
torious Americans, he entered the
city.
One of his first acts on being grant
ed few hours liberty to roam where
he would, was to visit the Cathedral
Often as he had heard churches and
Cathedrals described by his mother
this was the first time he had ever
been inside place of worship. The
nearest church to his home had been
in San Antonio, whittier he had never
been. For some time he knelt in the
dim Cathedral, absorbed in prayer for
his father and mother. Then curious
ly but reverently he made the circuit
of the church, recognizing the differ
ent shrines and affairs, all just as his
mother had described them.
A priest was just about to enter a
confessional, dark man, perhaps a
Spaniard. But presently he spoke
and to Cormac's surprise it was in
English.
"You want to go to confession, my
SOM"
Eyes, Father, if you have the time.
The priest smiled as he gazed al
the youthful figure. What he saw
was tall, finely built boy just emery
ing into manhood. The old-fashioned
faded blue coat fitted we'll over the
broad shoulders. The eyes of the
boy were dark, his features regular
and his skin fair where it was not
tanned, and with light powder oil
freckles. The hair, brushed smooth
was red like that of his grandfather
old Feargus Cullen, and had CormaC
known it he was like his grandfather
also in the charm of his smile anG
voice.
Il have always time for anyone who
wants me, my son." said the priest
Come in to the confessional now
He spoke with a slight German &C
cent, but in perfect English. Without
any hesitation Cormac lifted the
leather curtain and entered the con
fessional box.
Afterward he had few more words
with the priest, telling him that this
was the first church he had ever seer
"a fact that did not seem to amaze
the priest as much as he had thought
it would.
The next day the victorious army
began to march to Puebla, but not be
fore Cormac had asked and received
permission to be present at early
Mass in the Cathedral, where he re
ceived Communion. And after thai
there were stirring events for the
young drummer. AT Cerro Gordo they
were victorious over Santa Anna, and
again at Puebla; but the goal was
not yet reached. Bravely they pushed
on toward the Mexican capital, but
enormous difficulties awaited them
and it became necessary for the en-
rinears tn rut "a new road s1xfrffnr