It is
strange that this capital of Texas should have been erected upon the
very northern boundary of the state. Indians have often entered it and
taken scalps not ten steps from the Capitol.
While we were in Austin we made the acquaintance of old Castro, the
chief of the Lepan Indians, an offset of the Comanche tribe. He is one
of the best-bred gentlemen in the world, having received a liberal and
military education, first in Mexico, and subsequently in Spain. He has
travelled in France, Germany, England, and, in fact, all over Europe. He
speaks and writes five or six languages, and so conscious is he of his
superiority over the Texans, that he never addresses them but with
contempt. He once said to them in the legislature-room of Matagorda--
"Never deceive yourselves, Texans. I fight with you against the
Mexicans, because betwixt them and me there is an irreconcilable hatred.
Do not then flatter yourselves that it is through friendship towards
you. I can give my friendship only to those who are honourable both in
peace and in war; you are all of you liars, and many of you thieves,
scoundrels, and base murderers. Yes, dogs, I say true; yelp not, bark
not, for you know you dare not bite, now that my two hundred warriors
are surrounding this building: be silent, I say.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255