erved, and unrelenting vengeance of the
warlike Wakoes.

Such was the fate of the Texian expedition; but there is another portion
of the history which has been much talked of in the United States; I
mean the history of their captivity and sufferings, while on their road
from Santa Fe to Mexico. Mr Daniel Webster hath made it a government
question, and Mr Pakenham, the British ambassador in Mexico, has
employed all the influence of his own position to restore to freedom the
half-dozen of Englishmen who had joined the expedition. Of course they
knew nothing of the circumstances, except from the report of the Texians
themselves. Now it is but just that the Mexicans' version should be
heard also. The latter is the true one, at least so far as I can judge
by what I saw, what I heard upon the spot, and from some Mexican
documents yet in my possession.

The day before their capture, the Texians, who for the last thirteen
days had suffered all the pangs of hunger, came suddenly upon a flock of
several thousand sheep, belonging to the Mexican government. As usual,
the flock was under the charge of a Mexican family, living in a small
covered waggon, in which they could remove from spot to spot, shifting
the pasture-ground as required. In that country, but very few
individuals are employed to keep the largest herds of animals; but they
are always accompanied by a number of noble dogs, which appear to be
particularly adapted to protect and guide the animals. These dogs do
not run about, they never bark or bite, but, on the contrary, they will
walk gently up to any one of the flock that happens to stray, take it
carefully by the ear, and lead it back to its companions. The sheep do
not show the least fear of these dogs, nor is there any occasion for it.
These useful guardians are a cross of the Newfoundland and St. Bernard
breed, of a very large size, and very sagacious.

Now, if the Texians had asked for a hundred sheep, either for money or
in barter (a sheep is worth about sixpence), they would have been
supplied directly; but as soon as the flock was perceived, one of the
Texian leaders exclaimed, with an oath, "Mexicans' property, and a
welcome booty; upon it my boys, upon it, and no mercy." One of the poor
Mexicans who had charge was shot through the head, the others succeeded
in escaping by throwing themselves down among the thick ranks of the
affrighted animals, till out of rifle distance; then began a carnage
wit