"Thank you, Worth. I see that I have spoken better than I knew. I was
sitting in the United States Congress, when this constitution passed,
and very much occupied with the politics of Tennessee."

"I will not detain you with Mexican politics. It may be briefly said
that for the last ten years there has been a constant fight between
Pedraza, Guerrero, Bustamante and Santa Anna for the Presidency of
Mexico. After so much war and misery the country is now ready to resign
all the blessings the constitution of eighteen twenty-four promised her.
For peace she is willing to have a dictator in Santa Anna."

"If Mexicans want a dictator let them bow down to Santa Anna! But do you
think the twenty thousand free-born Americans in Texas are going to have
a dictator? They will have the constitution of eighteen twenty-four--or
they will have independence, and make their own constitution! Yes, sir!"

"You know the men for whom you speak?"

"I have been up and down among them for two years. Just after I came
to Texas I was elected to the convention which sent Stephen Austin to
Mexico with a statement of our wrongs. Did we get any redress? No, sir!
And as for poor Austin, is he not in the dungeons of the Inquisition? We
have waited two years for an answer. Great heavens Doctor, surely that
is long enough!"

"Was this convention a body of any influence?"

"Influence! There were men there whose names will never be forgotten.
They met in a log house; they wore buckskin and homespun; but I tell
you, sir, they were debating the fate of unborn millions."

"Two years since Austin went to Mexico?"

"A two years' chapter of tyranny. In them Santa Anna has quite
overthrown the republic of which we were a part. He has made himself
dictator, and, because our authorities have protested against the
change, they have been driven from office by a military force. I tell
you, sir, the petty outrages everywhere perpetrated by petty officials
have filled the cup of endurance. It is boiling over. Now, doctor, what
are you going to do? Are you with us, or against us?"

"I have told you that I have been with my countrymen always--heart and
soul with them."

The doctor spoke with some irritation, and Houston laid his closed hand
hard upon the table to emphasize his reply:

"Heart and soul! Very good! But we want your body now. You must tuck
your bowie-knife and your revolvers in your belt, and take your rifle in
your hand, and be ready to help u