s and
transferring their interests across the Rio Grande.

They were not missed, even for a day. Some American was ready to step
into their place, and the pushing, progressive spirit of the race was
soon evident in the hearty way with which they set to work, not only to
repair what war had destroyed, but to inaugurate those movements
which are always among their first necessities. Ministers, physicians,
teachers, mechanics of all kinds, were soon at work; churches
were built, Bibles were publicly sold, or given away; schools were
advertised; the city was changing its tone as easily as a woman changes
the fashion of her dress. Santa Anna had said truly enough to Houston,
that the Texans had no flag to fight under; but the young Republic very
soon flung her ensign out among those of the gray nations of the world.
It floated above the twice glorious Alamo: a bright blue standard, with
one white star in the centre. It was run up at sunrise one morning. The
city was watching for it; and when it suddenly flew out in their sight,
it was greeted with the most triumphant enthusiasm. The lonely star in
its field of blue touched every heart's chivalry. It said to them, "I
stand alone! I have no sister states to encourage and help me! I rely
only on the brave hearts and strong arms that I set me here!" And they
answered the silent appeal with a cheer that promised everything; with a
love that even then began to wonder if there were not a place for such
a glorious star in the grand constellation under which most of them had
been born.

A short time after their return, the Senora had a letter from her
husband, saying that he was going to New Orleans with General Houston,
whose wound was in a dangerous condition. Thomas Worth had been
appointed to an important post in the civil government; and his labors,
like those of all the public men of Texas at that date, were continuous
and Herculean. It was impossible for him to leave them; but the doctor
assured his wife that he would return as soon as he had placed Houston
in the hands of skilful surgeons; and he asked her, until then, to be as
happy as her circumstances permitted.

She was quite willing to obey the request. Not naturally inclined to
worry, she found many sources of content and pleasure, until the early
days of June brought back to her the husband she so truly loved,
and with him the promise of a return to her own home. Indeed the
difficulties in the way of this return had