It took a few days to draw up the articles of capitulation and
clear the town of General Cos and the Mexican troops。 And he
had no faith in their agreement to 〃retire from Texas； and
never again carry arms against the Americans。〃 He knew that
they did not consider it any sin to make 〃a mental
reservation〃 against a heretic。 He was quite sure that if Cos
met reinforcements； he would have to be fought over again
immediately。
And amid these public cares and considerations； he had serious
private ones。 The Senora was still under the control of Fray
Ignatius。 It required all the influence of his own personal
presence and affection to break the spiritual captivity in
which he held her。 He knew that the priest had long been his
enemy。
He saw that Antonia was hated by him。 He was in the shadow of
a terror worse than deaththat of a long； hopeless captivity。
A dungeon and a convent might become to them a living grave；
in which cruelty and despair would slowly gnaw life away。
And yet； for a day or two he resolved not to speak of his
terror。 The Senora was so happy in his presence； and she had
such kind confidences to give him about her plans for her
children's future； that he could not bear to alarm her。 And
the children also were so full of youth's enthusiasms and
love's sweet dreams。 Till the last moment why should he
awaken them？ And as the strongest mental element in a
home gives the tone to it； so Dare and Antonia； with the
doctor behind them； gave to the Mexican household almost an
American freedom of intercourse and community of
pleasure。
The Senora came to the parlor far more frequently； and in her
own apartments her children visited her with but slight
ceremony。 They discussed all together their future plans。
They talked over a wonderful journey which they were to take
in company to New Orleans； and Washington； and New York； and
perhaps even to London and Paris〃who could tell； if the
Senora would be so good as to enjoy herself？〃 They ate more
together。 They got into the habit of congregating about the
same hearthstone。 It was the Senora's first real experience
of domestic life。
In about six days the Mexican forces left the city。 The terms
of surrender granted General Cos struck the Mexicans with a
kind of wonder。 They had fought with the express declaration
that they would take no American prisoner。 Yet the Americans
not only permitted Cos and his troops to leave under parole of
honor； but gave them their arms and sufficient ammunition
to protect themselves from the Indians on their journey home。
They allowed them also all their private property。 They
furnished them with the provisions necessary to reach the Rio
Grande。 They took charge of their sick and wounded。 They set
all the Mexican prisoners at libertyin short； so great was
their generosity and courtesy that the Mexicans were unable to
comprehend their motives。
Even Lopez was troubled at it。 〃I assure you；〃 he said to Dr。
Worth； 〃they will despise such civility； they will not believe
in its sincerity。 At this very blessed hour of God； they are
accusing the Americans of being afraid to press their
advantage。 Simply； you will have the fight to make over
again。 I say this； because I know Santa Anna。〃
〃Santa Anna is but a man； Lopez。〃
〃Me perdonas！ He is however a man who knows a trick more than
the devil。 One must be careful of a bull in front； of a mule
behind； and of a monk and Santa Anna on all sides。 At the
word monk； Lopez glanced significantly at a passing priest；
and Doctor Worth saw that it was Fray Ignatius。
〃He sprinkled the Mexican troops with holy water； and blessed
them as they left the city this morning。 He has the ear of
General Cos。 He is not a man to offend； I assure you；
Doctor。〃
The doctor walked thoughtfully away。 San Antonio was full of
his friends； yet never had he felt himself and his family to
be in so much danger。 And the words of Lopez had struck a
responding chord in his own consciousness。 The careless
bravery； the splendid generosity of his countrymen was at
least premature。 He went through the city with observing
eyes； and saw much to trouble him。
The gates of Alamo were open。 Crockett lounged upon his rifle
in the Plaza。 A little crowd was around him； and the big
Tennesseean hunter was talking to them。 Shouts of laughter；
bravas of enthusiasm； answered the homely wit and stirring
periods that had over and over 〃made room for Colonel
Crockett；〃 both in the Tennessee Legislature and the United
States Congress。 His rifle seemed a part of hima kind of
third arm。 His confident manner； his manliness and bravery；
turned his wit into wisdom。 The young fellows around
found in him their typical leader。
The elegant James Bowie was sitting on the verandah of the
Veramendi House； calmly smoking。 His fair； handsome face；
clear blue eyes and mild manners； gave no indication of the
gigantic physical strength and tremendous coolness and courage
of the man who never tolerated an enemy in his presence。
Burleson and Travis were talking under the shade of a China
tree； and there were little groups of American soldiers on
every street； this was what he saw； and yet a terrible sense
of insecurity oppressed him。
The city； moreover； was not settling to its usual business；
though there were many preparations for public and private
entertainments。 After passing Colonel Bowie； he met David
Burnett。 The shrewd statesman from New Jersey had a shadow
upon his face。 He stopped Doctor Worth and spoke frankly to
him。 〃We are in greater danger now than when we were under
fire；〃 he said。 〃Santa Anna will come on us like a lion from
the swellings of Jordan。 I wish Houston knew our position as
it really is。 We must either have more men to defend
this city or we must blow up the Alamo and be ready to
leave it at a moment's notice。〃
〃Why were such favorable terms given to General Cos and his
troops？ I cannot understand it。〃
〃I will tell you an amazing fact。 When Cos ran up that white
flag on the Alamo； we had not a single round of ammunition
left； complaisance was necessary until Cos made over to us the
Mexican arms； ammunition； property and money。〃
Worth turned and looked at the fort。 A great red flag on
which was the word T…E…X…A…S floated from its battlements； and
there were two men standing on its roof； with their faces
westward。
〃They are the lookouts；〃 said Burnett； 〃and we have scouts
through the surrounding country； but Santa Anna will come；
when he comes； with tens of thousands。〃
〃And there is a line where even the coolest courage and the
most brilliant bravery succumbs to mere numbersEh！〃
〃That is what I mean； Doctor。〃
〃Where is Houston？〃
〃On the Brazos； at the small town of Washington。 The
council have established headquarters there。〃
Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of a little
bell； and the doleful supplications of a priest followed by a
crowd of idle men and women。 He was begging； 〃for the sake of
the Holy Virgin；〃 alms to say masses for the soul of an
unfortunate； who had not left a peso for his burial。 He
droned on； and no one noticed him until James Bowie stretched
his tall figure； sauntered up to the monk and dropped a gold
piece into his cap。 He did not stay to hear the exclamations
and the gracias； but with steps that rang like metal upon
metal took his way to the Alamo。
However； dangers postponed make the most timorous indifferent
to them； and when General Cos did not return； and nothing was
heard of Santa Anna； every one began to take up their ordinary
life again。 The temper of the Americans also encouraged this
disposition。 They were discovered neither to be bloodthirsty
nor cannibals。 It was even seen that they enjoyed the
fandango and the monte tables； and that a proposition for a
bullfight at Christmas was not opposed by them。
And in spite of all anxieties； there were many sweet and
unusual pleasures in the Worth home。 The discipline of the
troops was so lenient that Dare and Luisone or bothwere
generally there in the evenings。 Their turns as scouts or
watchman at the Alamo only made more delightful the hours when
they were exempted from these duties。 As for the doctor； he
had been released from all obligations but those pertaining to
his profession； and Antonia； noticed that he spent every hour
he could spare with the Senora。 For some reason； he appeared
determined to strengthen his influence over her。
On Christmas Eve the old city was very gay。 The churches were
decorated； and splendidly dressed men and women passed in and
out with smiles and congratulations。 The fandangoes and the
gambling houses were all open。 From the huertas around； great
numbers of families had come to receive absolution and keep
the Nativity。 Their rich clothing and air of idleness gave a
holiday feeling to the streets noisy with the buzzing of the
guitar； the metallic throb of the cithara； the murmurs of
voices； and the cries of the hawkers。 Priests； Mexicans；
Indians and Americans touched each other on the narrow
thoroughfares； but that indescribable feeling of good will
which comes with Christmas p