ht we are to move further east; perhaps the journey may waken her
out of this trance of grief. I can see that our father is wretched
about her; and Thomas wanders in and out of the room as if his heart was
broken."

"Thomas loved Jack. Luis told me that he sat with him and Lopez, and
that he sobbed like a woman. But, also, he means a great revenge. None
of the men slept last night. They stood by the camp-fires talking.
Sometimes I went to the door and looked out. How awful they were in the
blaze and darkness! I think, indeed, they could have conquered Santa
Anna very easily."

Isabel had not misjudged the spirit of the camp. The news of the
massacre at Goliad was answered by a call for vengeance that nothing
but vengeance could satisfy. On the following day Houston addressed his
little army. He reminded them that they were the children of the heroes
who fought for liberty at Yorktown, and Saratoga, and Bunker Hill. He
made a soul-stirring review of the events that had passed; he explained
to them their situation, and the designs of the enemy, and how he
proposed to meet them.

His voice, loud as a trumpet with a silver sound, inspired all who heard
it with courage. His large, bright visage, serious but hopeful, seemed
to sun the camp. "They live too long," he cried, "who outlive freedom.
And I promise you that you shall have a full cup of vengeance. For
every man that fell fighting at the Alamo, for every one treacherously
slaughtered at Goliad, you shall be satisfied. If I seem to be flying
before the enemy now, it is for his destruction. Three Mexican armies
united, we cannot fight. We can fight them singly. And every mile we
make them follow us weakens them, separates them, confuses them. The low
lands of the Brazos, the unfordable streams, the morasses, the pathless
woods, are in league with us. And we must place our women and children
in safety. Even if we have to carry them to General Gaines and the
United States troops, we must protect them, first of all. I believe that
we shall win our freedom with our own hands; but if the worst come, and
we have to fall back to the Sabine, we shall find friends and backers
there. I know President Jackson, my old general, the unconquered
Christian Mars! Do you think he will desert his countrymen? Never! If we
should need help, he has provided it. And the freedom of Texas is sure
and certain. It is at hand. Prepare to achieve it. We shall take up our
march eastward in three h