Full of happiness, the ladies prepared for their journey. A good army wagon, drawn by
eight mules, and another wagon, containing two tents and everything necessary for a
comfortable journey, was waiting for them. The doctor bid them good−by with smiles and
cheerful promises. They were going home. The war was over. Independence was won. They
had the hope of permanent peace. The weather also was as the weather may be among the
fields of Eden. The heavens were cloudless, the air sweet and fresh, and the wild
honeysuckles, with their spread hands full of scent, perfumed the prairies mile after mile.
The mules went knee−deep through warm grasses; the grasses were like waving rainbows,
with the myriads of brightly tinted flowers.
Even Lopez was radiantly happy. Most unusual smiles lighted up his handsome face,
and he jingled the silver ornaments on his bridle pleasantly to his thoughts as he cantered
sometimes a little in advance of the wagon, sometimes in the rear, occasionally by its side;
then, bending forward to lift his hat to the ladies and inquire after their comfort.
Luis kept close to Isabel; and her lovely face and merry chatter beguiled him from all
other observations. A little before noon they halted in a beautiful wood; a tent was spread for
the ladies, the animals were loosened from their harness, and a luxurious meal laid upon the
grass. Then the siesta was taken, and at three o'clock travel was resumed until near sunset,
when the camp was made for the night. The same order was followed every day, and the
journey was in every sense an easy and delightful one. The rides, cheered by pleasant
companionship, were not fatiguing; the impromptu meals were keenly relished. And there
were many sweet opportunities for little strolls in the dim green woods, and for delightful
conversations, as they sat under the stars, while the camp−fire blazed among the picturesque
groups of Mexicans playing monte around it.
On the third afternoon, the Senora and Isabel were taking a siesta, but Antonia could not
sleep. After one or two efforts she was thoroughly aroused by the sound of voices which had
been very familiar to her in the black days of the flight – those of a woman and her weary
family of seven children. She had helped her in many ways, and she still felt an interest in
her welfare. It appeared now to be assured. Antonia found her camping in a little grove of
mulberry trees. She had recovered her health; her children were noisy and happy, and her
husband, a tall, athletic man, with a determined eye and very courteous manners, was
unharnessing the mules from a fine Mexican wagon; part of the lawful spoils of war. They,
too, were going home: «back to the Brazos,» said the woman affectionately; and we're in a
considerable hurry,« she added, because it's about time to get the corn in. Jake lays out to
plant fifty acres this year. He says he can go to planting now with an easy conscience; he
'lows he has killed enough Mexicans to keep him quiet a spell.»
They talked a short time together, and then Antonia walked slowly into the deeper
shadows of the wood. She found a wide rock, under trees softly dimpling, pendulous, and
tenderly green; and she sat down in the sweet gloom, to think of the beloved dead. She had
often longed for some quiet spot, where, alone with God and nature, she could, just for once,
Remember the Alamo
CHAPTER XVII. 173