keet-trees not unfrequently
adopted in the west. His bullet-pouch was made out of the head of a
leopard, in which eyes of red cloth had been inserted, bringing out, by
contrast, the beauty of the skin, and was suspended from a strap of
brown untanned deer-hide. With an expression of great bitterness, the
backwoodsman handed the tobacco to the man next to him, and it passed on
from hand to hand, untasted by any one--a sign of uncommon excitement
amongst the persons there assembled. When the despised Cavendish had
gone round, the old general stuck it in his pocket again, and continued
the conference, at the same time whittling a stick with perfect coolness
and unconcern.

"Yes," said he, "I tell you that our affairs look rather ticklish--can't
deny it--but that is the only thing that will bring the people to their
senses. Santa Anna may destroy the colonies, but it won't be Sam
Houston's fault. Instead of at once assembling, the militia stop at home
with their wives--quite comfortable in the chimney-corner--think that a
handful of volunteers can whip ten thousand of these half-bloods. Quite
mistaken, gentlemen--quite mistaken. You see it now--the brave fellows
are gone--a scandal it is for us--and the enemy is at our heels. Instead
of seeing four or five thousand of our people here, there are thirteen
hundred--the others are minding the shop--making journeys to the Sabine.
Can't help it, comrades, must retire to the Brazos, into the
forests--must be off, and that at once."

"Stop, general, that ain't sense," cried a man, with a cap made out of a
wild-cat's skin; "not a step backwards--the enemy must soon come, and
then we'll whip 'em so glorious, that it will be a pleasure to see it;
the miserable vampires that they are!"

"A fight! a fight!" shouted the surrounding throng. "For Texas, now or
never!"

"Sam Houston is not of that opinion, my fine fellows," answered the
general, "and it is not his will to fight. Sam will not risk the fate of
the republic in a single foolhardy battle. The broad woods of the Brazos
shall do us good service. Though you are brave, and willing to risk your
lives, it would be small benefit to the country if you lost them. No, my
boys, we'll give it to the vermin, never fear, they shall have it, as
sure as Sam Houston stands in his own shoes."

"It's impossible for us to go back, General," cried another speaker;
"can't be--must at 'em! What, General, our richest plantations lie
between the C