The Freebooters: A Story of the Texan War Read online

  CHAPTER XII.

  THE SUMMONS.

  Europeans, accustomed to the gigantic wars of the Old World, in whichenormous masses of two to three hundred thousand men on both sides comeinto collision on the battle field, where armies have divisions ofthirty or forty thousand men, a cavalry often of sixty to eightythousand sabres, and in which the guns are counted by hundreds, have adifficulty in forming an idea of the way in which war is waged incertain parts of America, as well as the component strength of thearmies of the New World.

  In Mexico, a population of several millions can hardly collect tenthousand men under arms, an enormous number in those countries. Thevarious republics which were formed on the dismemberment of the Spanishcolonies, such as Peru, Chile, New Granada, Bolivia, Paraguay, &c.,cannot succeed in assembling more than two or three thousand men undertheir banners, and that, too, with immense sacrifices; for thesecountries, which, territorially speaking, are each far larger thanEngland, are nearly deserted, being incessantly decimated by civil war,which gnaws at them like a hideous leprosy, and left almostuninhabitable by the neglect of the various governments, which succeedeach other with a giddy and almost fabulous rapidity.

  These governments, submitted to rather than accepted by theseunfortunate nations, although powerless for good, owing to theirprecarious duration, are omnipotent for evil, and profit by it toplunder the people, and load their creatures with riches, not troublingthemselves about the abyss they are opening beneath their feet, andwhich, daily growing deeper, will eventually swallow up all theseaccidental nationalities, which will be dead almost ere they are born,and have only known liberty by name, though never in a position toappreciate its blessings.

  Texas, at the period when it claimed its independence, in a contest often years, so obstinately, counted over its entire territory only apopulation of six hundred thousand--a very weak and modest amount, whencompared with the seven million of the Mexican confederation. Still, aswe have remarked in a preceding chapter, the Texan population wascomposed, in a great measure, of North Americans--energetic,enterprising men, of known courage, who, annoyed by the long lastingtyranny the Federal government exercised over them, through jealousy andnarrowness of views, had sworn to be free at any price, and took up armsin order to guarantee the possession of their estates, and theirpersonal security.

  The combat had been going on for ten years; at first timid and secret,it had gradually widened, holding in check the Mexican power, and atlength attained that final and supreme period when the alternative isvictory or death.

  The surprise of the conducta, so skilfully managed by the Jaguar, hadbeen the electric spark destined to definitively galvanize the country,and make it rise as one man for this modern Thermopylae. The independentchiefs, who were fighting all along the border, had, at the unexpectednews of the decisive success obtained by the Jaguar, assembled their_cuadrillas_, and, by common agreement, and through an heroic impulse,ranged themselves under the banners of the youthful chieftain, andpledged him obedience, in order to carry through the liberation of theircountry.

  Thanks to the generous assistance on the part of all the Guerillaleaders, the Jaguar suddenly found himself at the head of imposingforces, that is to say, he collected an army of about eleven hundredmen. Our readers must not smile at the name of army given to what wouldrepresent a regiment with us. Never before had Texas collected so manyfighting men under one Chief. And then, after all, everything isrelative in this world, and the greatest masses do not accomplish themost brilliant exploits. Did we not see, a few years back, in Sonora,the heroic and unfortunate Count de Raousset Bourbon, at the head ofonly two hundred and fifty ragged Frenchmen, half dead with hunger andfatigue, attack Hermosillo, a town of fifteen thousand souls, enclosedwith walls, and defended by twelve thousand regulars and six thousandIndians, carry it _in an hour_, and enter it, sword in hand, at the headof his soldiers, who did not themselves dare to believe in theirheroism?[1]

  The Jaguar's army was composed of men hardened by lengthened fighting,who burned to cope with the Mexicans, and who, before all, wished to befree! No more was needed for them to accomplish miracles. The Jaguar wasthoroughly acquainted with the character of his soldiers; he knew thathe must only ask one thing of them--an impossibility--and this he had,consequently, determined to attempt.

  Through the wish of the new commander-in-chief, all the captains ofcuadrillas assembled in a council of war, in order to draw up a plan ofcampaign. Each party gave his opinion. The debate was short, for allentertained the same idea--and that was, to seize on the Larch-treehacienda, in order to cut off the communications of the Mexican army,prevent it from receiving reinforcements from the other states of theconfederation; and, once masters of the fortress, to defeat in detailthe different Mexican detachments scattered over Texan territory. Asthis plan was remarkably simple, the Jaguar resolved to carry it outimmediately. After leaving a detachment of five hundred horseman tocover his rear, and avoid any surprise, he advanced with his main bodyby forced marches on the Larch-tree, with the intention of investing andcarrying it by assault ere the Mexicans had found time to put a garrisonin it and throw up intrenchments.

  Unfortunately, despite all the diligence the Jaguar had displayed in theexecution of his plan, the Mexicans, owing to the lengthened experienceand infallible glance of General Rubio, had been more prompt than he,and the place had been in a perfect state of defence two days ere theTexan army appeared at the foot of its walls.

  This disappointment greatly annoyed the Jaguar, but did not discouragehim; he saw that he would have to lay siege to the Larch-tree, andbravely made his preparations. The Americans dug up the soil withwondrous rapidity, and a night was sufficient for them to finish thepreparatory works, and make breast-works and parapets. The Mexicans gaveno signs of life, and allowed the insurgents to establish themselves intheir lines without opposition; by sunrise all was finished.

  It was a strange spectacle offered by this handful of men, who, withoutartillery or siege material of any description, boldly traced linesround a stoutly-built fortress, admirably situated for resistance, anddefended by a numerous garrison, which was determined not to surrender.But what in this heroic madness produced admiration, and almost stupor,was the conviction these men had that they would eventually take theplace. This persuasion, by doubling the strength of the insurgents,rendered them capable of accomplishing the greatest things.

  As they arrived after sunset, when the night had all but set in, theTexans had formed an imperfect idea of the defensive state of the placewhich they proposed to besiege; hence, when day broke, they eagerlyproceeded to see what enemy they would have to deal with. The surprisewas anything but agreeable to them, and they were compelled to confessto themselves in their hearts that the job would be a tough one, andthat the intrenchments they proposed to carry had a formidableappearance. This surprise was changed almost into discouragement whenthe fortress haughtily hoisted the Mexican flag, saluting it withseveral rounds of grapeshot, which fell into the centre of the camp, andkilled and wounded some fifteen men.

  But this movement of weakness was but short; a reaction speedily tookplace in these energetic men, and it was with hurrahs and shouts of joythat they displayed the colours of Texan independence. For valid reasonsthey did not accompany the hoisting of their flag by cannon shots, butthey saluted it with salvos of musquetry, whose well-sustained fire gaveback to the besieged the death they had scattered through the camp.

  The Jaguar, after attentively examining the fortifications, resolved toproceed according to rule, and summon the place to surrender beforebeginning the siege seriously. Consequently, he hoisted a white flag onthe top of the entrenchments, and waited; a few moments later, a flag ofthe same colour appeared on the breastwork thrown up outside the place.

  The Jaguar, preceded by a trumpeter, followed by two or three officers,left the camp and climbed up the hill on which the hacienda wassituated. A number of officers equal to his own had left the place andadvanced to meet him. On arriving
at about an equal distance from thetwo lines, the Jaguar halted, and in a few minutes the Mexican officers,commanded by Don Felix Paz, joined him. After the usual compliments hadbeen exchanged with extreme politeness, the Major-domo asked--

  "With whom have I the honour of speaking?"

  "With the Commander-in-Chief of the Texan army," the Jaguar answered.

  "We do not recognise any Texan army," the Major-domo said drily. "Texasforms an integral portion of Mexico; her army, the only one she ought topossess, is Mexican."

  "If you do not know the one I have the honour of commanding," the Jaguarsaid with a smile of superb irony, "ere long, please Heaven, it willhave made so much noise, that you will be compelled to recognise it."

  "That is possible; but for the present we do not know it."

  "Then, you do not wish to parley?"

  "With whom?"

  "Come, Caballero, suppose we are frank with one another--are youwilling?"

  "I wish for nothing better."

  "You know as well as I do that we are fighting for our independence."

  "Very good. In that case you are insurgents?"

  "Certainly, and feel proud of the title."

  "Hum! We do not treat with insurgents, who are placed beyond the pale ofthe law, and who, as such, cannot offer us any serious guarantee."

  "Caballero," the Jaguar exclaimed with ill-disguised impatience, "I havethe honour of remarking that you insult me."

  "I am very sorry for it; but what other answer than that can I giveyou?"

  There was a momentary silence; the vigorous resistance offered him madethe Jaguar feel seriously alarmed.

  "Are you the Fort-Commandant?" he asked.

  "No."

  "Why did you come, then?"

  "Because I was ordered to do so."

  "Hum! And who is the Governor of the place?"

  "A Colonel."

  "Why did he not come in person to meet me?"

  "Because he probably did not think it worth while to put himself out ofthe way."

  "Hum! That way of behaving seems to me rather lax, for war has lawswhich every man is bound to follow."

  "Maybe, but it is not war in this case, that must not be let out ofsight."

  "What is it then, in your opinion?"

  "Insurrection."

  "Well, I wish to speak with your Commandant, for I can only treat withhim. Are you disposed to let me see him?"

  "That does not depend on me, but on him."

  "Very good. Can I trust to your delivering my message to him?"

  "I do not see why I should not."

  "Be kind enough, then, to return at once to him, and I will wait for youhere, unless you permit me to enter the fortress."

  "That is impossible."

  "As you please; I will, therefore, await your reply here."

  "Very well."

  The two men bowed courteously, and took leave of each other. Don FelixPaz re-entered the fortress, while the Jaguar, sitting on the trunk of afelled tree, examined with the greatest attention the fortifications ofthe hacienda, the details of which he could easily survey from the spotwhere he now was. The young man leaned his elbow on his knee, and lethis head rest on his hand; his eyes wandered over the surroundingobjects with an expression of indefinable melancholy; gradually a gloomysadness seized on his mind; while indulging in his thoughts, externalobjects disappeared from his sight, and isolating himself completely, hegave way to the flood of bitter recollections which rose from his heartto his brain, and removed him from the preoccupations of his presentsituation.

  For a long time he had been plunged in this species of prostration, whena friendly voice smote his ear. The Jaguar, suddenly drawn from hisreverie by the sound of a voice which he fancied he recognised, threw uphis head sharply, and gave a start of surprise on recognising Don JuanMelendez de Gongora, for it was really the Colonel who was nowaddressing him. The Texan Chief rose, and spoke to his officers.

  "Back, Caballeros," he said; "this gentleman and myself have matters totalk about which no one must hear."

  The Texans withdrew out of earshot. The Colonel was alone, for onrecognising the Jaguar, he had ordered his escort to await him at thebase of the intrenchments.

  "I meet you here again then, my friend," the Jaguar said sadly.

  "Yes," the young officer answered; "fatality seems determined to keep usin constant opposition."

  "On examining the height and strength of your walls," the Independentcontinued, "I had already recognized the difficulties of the task forcedon me; these difficulties have now grown almost into impossibilities."

  "Alas, my friend, fate wills it so, we are forced to submit to itscaprices; and while in my heart deploring what takes place, I am yetresolved to do my duty as a man of honour, and die in the breach, withmy breast turned toward you."

  "I know it, brother, and cannot feel angry with you; for I too amresolved to carry out the difficult task imposed on me."

  "Such are the terrible exigencies of civil war, that the men mostinclined to esteem and love one another, are compelled to be foes."

  "God and our country will judge us, friend, and our consciences willabsolve us; men are not combating, but principles fatally placed inopposition."

  "I was not aware that you were the Chief of the insurrectionary bandsthat have invested the place, although a secret foreboding warned me ofyour presence."

  "That is strange," the Jaguar muttered, "for I also felt the forebodingto which you allude; that is why I so strongly insisted on having aninterview with the Commandant of the hacienda."

  "The same reason urged me, on the contrary, not to show myself; but Ithought I must yield to your entreaty, and hence here I am; I swear toyou that I should have wished to avoid this interview, which is sopainful to both of us, in consequence of our mutual feelings."

  "It is better that it should have taken place; now that we have had afrank explanation, we shall be better fitted to do our duty."

  "You are right, friend; it is perhaps better that it should be so; letme press your honest hand for the last time, and then each of us willresume his part."

  "Here is my hand, friend," the young Chief made answer.

  The two men heartily shook hands, and then fell back a few paces, makinga signal to their respective escorts to rejoin them. When the officerswere ranged behind the Chiefs, the Jaguar ordered his bugler to soundthe summons; the latter obeyed, and the Mexican trumpet immediatelyreplied. The Jaguar then advanced two paces, and courteously took offhis hat to the Colonel.

  "With whom have I the honour of speaking?" he asked.

  "I am," the officer replied, returning the salute, "Colonel Don JuanMelendez de Gongora, invested by General Don Jos? Maria Rubio,Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican forces in Texas, with the militarygovernment of the Larch-tree hacienda, which present circumstances haveraised to the rank of a first class fortress; and who may you be,Caballero?"

  "I," the Jaguar answered, as he drew himself up, and placed his hatagain on his head, "am the Supreme Chief of the Confederated Army ofTexas."

  "The men who take that name, and the person who commands them, can onlybe regarded by me as traitors and fosterers of rebellion."

  "We care little, Colonel, what name you give us, or the manner in whichyou regard our acts. We have taken up arms to render our countryindependent, and shall not lay them down till that noble task isaccomplished. These are the proposals I think it my duty to make you."

  "I cannot and will not treat with rebels," the Colonel said, clearly anddistinctly.

  "You will act as you please, Colonel; but humanity orders you to avoidbloodshed, if possible, and your duty imperiously commands you to listento what I have to say to you."

  "Be it so, Caballero, I will listen to you, and then will see whatanswer I have to give you; but I must ask you to be brief."

  The Jaguar leaned the point of his sabre on the ground, and giving aclear and piercing glance at the Mexican staff, he continued, in a loud,firm, and accentuated vo
ice--

  "I, the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberating Army of Texas, summon you,a Colonel in the service of the Mexican Republic, whose sovereignty weno longer recognise, to surrender to us this Larch-tree hacienda, ofwhich you entitle yourself the Governor, and which you hold withoutright or reason. If, within twenty-four hours, the said hacienda is putinto our hands, with all it contains, guns, ammunition, material of war,and otherwise, the garrison will quit the place with the honours of war,under arms, with drums and fifes playing. Then, after laying down theirarms, the garrison will be free to retire to the interior of Texas,after making oath that during a year and a day they will not serve inTexas against the Liberating Army."

  "Have you ended?" the Colonel asked, with ill-disguised impatience.

  "Not yet," the Jaguar coldly answered.

  "I must ask you to make haste."

  On seeing these two men exchange savage glances, and placed in such ahostile position face to face, no one would have supposed that they werefond of each other, and groaned in their hearts at the painful part fatecompelled them to play against their will. The truth was, that in onemilitary fanaticism, in the other an ardent love of his country, hadimposed silence on every other feeling, and only permitted them tolisten to one, the most imperious of all--the sentiment of duty. TheJaguar, perfectly calm and firm, continued in the same resolute accent--

  "If, against my expectations, these conditions are refused, and theplace obstinately defends itself, the Army of Liberation willimmediately invest it, carry on the siege with all the vigour of whichit is capable, and when the hacienda is captured, it will undergo thefate of towns taken by assault; the garrison will be decimated, andremain prisoners till the end of the war."

  "Very good," the Colonel replied, ironically; "however harsh theseconditions may be, we prefer them to the former; and if the fate ofarms betray us, we will endure without complaint the law of theconquerors."

  The Jaguar bowed ceremoniously.

  "I have only to withdraw," he said.

  "One moment," the Colonel said, "You have explained to me yourconditions, so it is now your turn to hear mine."

  "What conditions can you have to offer us, since you refuse tosurrender?"

  "You shall hear."

  The Colonel looked round him with a glance of assurance; then, crossinghis arms on his chest, and drawing himself up with the air of sovereigncontempt for those who surrounded him, began speaking in a sharp andsarcastic voice--

  "I," he said, "Don Juan de Melendez de Gongora, Colonel in the serviceof the Mexican Republic, considering that the majority of theindividuals assembled at this moment at the foot of my walls are poor,ignorant men, whom bad example and bad counsel have led into a revolt,which they detest in their hearts--for I know that the MexicanGovernment has ever been just, kind, and paternal to them; considering,moreover, that possibly the fear of the severe chastisement which theyhave deserved by their culpable conduct keeps them, against their desireand will, in the ranks of the rebels; employing the prerogative given meby my title of governor of a first class fortress, and a field officerin the Mexican army, I promise them, that if they immediately lay downtheir arms, and, as a proof of sincere repentance, surrender to me theChiefs who deceived them and led them into revolt--I promise them, Irepeat, a complete pardon and oblivion of the faults they may havecommitted up to today, but only on this condition. They have till sunsetof the present day to make their submission; when that period is passed,they will be regarded as inveterate rebels, and treated as such---thatis to say, hanged without trial, after their identity has been proved,and deprived in their last moments of the consolations of religion, asbeing unworthy of them. As for the Chiefs, as traitors, they will beshot in the back, and their bodies fastened by the feet on gibbets,where they will remain as food for birds of prey, and serve as anexample to those who may venture in their track. Reflect, then, andrepent, for such are the sole conditions you will obtain of me. And now,Caballeros," he said, turning to his officers, "we will return to thefort, as we have nothing more to do here."

  His hearers had listened with increasing surprise to this strangeaddress, uttered in a tone of sarcasm and haughty contempt, which hadfilled the hearts of the Jaguar's comrades with gall, while the Mexicanofficers looked at each other with a laugh. By a sign, the Jaguarimposed silence on his comrades, and bowed respectfully to the Colonel.

  "Your will be done," he said to him. "God will judge between us; thebloodshed will fall on your head."

  "I accept the responsibility," the Commandant remarked, disdainfully.

  "Then, the words you have just uttered are serious?"

  "They are."

  "You are quite resolved on opposing us?"

  "Of course."

  "Your resolution will not change?"

  "It is immovable."

  "We will fight, then," the Jaguar exclaimed, enthusiastically. "_Viva lapatria, viva la Independencia!_"

  This cry, repeated by his comrades, was heard in the camp, and taken upwith extraordinary enthusiasm by his comrades.

  "_Viva Mejico!_" the Colonel said.

  He then retired, followed by his officers. On his side, the Jaguarreturned to his camp, resolved to attempt a vigorous hand stroke on theplace. On both sides preparations were made for the implacable strugglethat was about to begin between members of the same family and childrenof the same soil; a homicidal and fearful struggle, a hundredfold morehorrible than a foreign war!

  [1] See the "Gold-Seekers," same publishers.