it please you for once to feel a little excited?' Luis says they read,
continually, books which make people think of great solemnities and
responsibilities. How foolish, when they are so rich, and might enjoy
themselves perpetually!"

"Here are the carriages," cried Thomas Worth, "and the ceremony of
to-day has its own hour. It will never come again."

"Your mother and I will go first, Thomas; and we will take Abbie and
your eldest son. I shall see you in your place. Luis, bring your boy
with you; he has intelligence and will remember the man he will see
to-day, and may never see again."

On the Plaza, close to the gates of the Alamo, a rostrum had been
erected; and around it were a few stands, set apart for the carriages
of the most illustrious of the families of San Antonio. The Senora, from
the shaded depths of her own, watched their arrival. Nothing could be
more characteristic than the approach of her daughters. Antonia and
Lopez, stately and handsome, came slowly; their high-stepping horses
chafing at the restraint. Luis and Isabel drove to their appointed
place with a speed and clatter, accentuated by the jingling of the
silver rings of the harness and the silver hanging buttons on the
gay dress of the Mexican driver. But the occupants of both carriages
appeared to be great favorites with the populace who thronged the Plaza,
the windows, the flat roofs of the houses, and every available place for
hearing and seeing.

The blue flag of Texas fluttered gayly over the lovely city; and there
was a salvo of cannon; then, into the sunshine and into the sight of all
stepped the man of his generation. Nature has her royal line, and she
makes no mistakes in the kings she crowns. The physical charm of Houston
was at this time very great. His tall, ample, dignified form attracted
attention at once. His eyes penetrated the souls of all upon whom they
fell. His lips were touched with fire, and his words thrilled and swayed
men, as the wind sways the heavy heads in a field of ripe barley.

He stretched out his arms to the people, and they stretched out their
arms to him. The magnetic chain of sympathy was complete. The hearts of
his listeners were an instrument, on which he played the noblest, most
inspiring, the sweetest of melodies. He kindled them as flame kindles
dry grass. He showed them their future with a prophet's eye, and touched
them also with the glad diviner's rapture. They aspired, they rejoiced
at his bidding