into crystal purling streams, forming
islands, lakes, and ponds white and fragrant with their lily bloom, while
shining green lizards and other reptiles peep curiously out from the rocks
and glide away into the stream.

Just across the main plaza stands the old Spanish cathedral, with its
musical chime of bells sending out on the perfumed air melodies sweet as
vesper songs.

We went to the old Alamo, felt the antique cannon used by the Mexicans,
were shown the room in which Bowie died and the spot where fell the brave
Colonel Crockett, who, with his handful of men, so gallantly held the
citadel, at which time he was taken alive, together with five other
prisoners, and ordered by Santa Anna to be killed.

Just before the fatal sword-thrust, which ended a life so fraught with
daring and danger, he sprang like a tiger at the throat of Santa Anna, his
face wearing even in death this expression of fiendish, scowling hatred.

San Antonia being the great market for the frontier, is a place of great
business activity. While there I was struck with amazement to see a dirty,
ragged man mounted upon a jaded, dilapidated horse, a very Sancho Panza
and Rezinante, smilingly asking alms of the passer-by.

I had often heard of, but never before saw a veritable "beggar on
horseback."

CHAPTER XXXVII.

"Light, warmth, and sprouting greenness,
And o'er all
Blue, stainless, steel-bright ether
Raining down
Tranquility upon the deep hushed town
The freshening meadow and the hillside brown."

We went from San Antonio to Austin, the capital of Texas, where I had a
delightful interview with Governor Hubbard, who, although much engrossed
with the cares of State, seemed for the time to lay them all aside, and
gave me his undivided attention. Certainly if "all the world's a stage,
and men and women merely players," this versatile gentleman appeared as
well in the role of courtier as in that of the statesman.

The Government Buildings are of finished architectural art, and stand amid
cultivated grounds, upon a commanding eminence. At the State House door is
a monument to the memory of Colonel David Crockett and the brave
companions who foil with him at St. Alamo.

The public Institutions of Austin are a credit to "The Lone Star" State,
especially that for the Blind, at which I spent a day, and was charmingly
entertained by Dr. Raney and his accomplished wife. The matron also
dispensed hospitalities wit