Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/61

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
47
THE FALL OF THE ALAMO

Elsie.

Fain I extend to thee that comfort, couched
In the relation of an incident
Which, though it happened many years ago,
Is deeply graven on my memory,
And seems to me a fitting simile
To show, how once our mystery may be solved.—
When, still a child, I tarried with my father.
Then stationed at some far-off western fort,
We were beleaguered by a furious band
Of wild Comanches, who with yells and shots
Essayed to storm the ramparts. Overcome
By childish fear, I hid me underneath
The altar of the Mission. So concealed,
I trembling sat beneath that gloomy spot,
When I observed amid that sombre light
An iron bolt. I pushed it back and raised
A secret trap-door, which revealed to me
A frowning passage-way. With fleeting steps
I then procured a torch, and by its light,
Explored the yawning path. For many hours
I wandered through its jet-black gallery.
Until, arrived upon its end, there burst
The glowing sunlight through some window-panes
Upon my dazzled eyesight. I had reached
Another Mission, far remote from ours.
Where I was safe from injury and harm.

[With the highest solemnity of inspiration.]