The Texan Star

The Texan Star, by Joseph A.
Altsheler

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Title: The Texan Star The Story of a Great Fight for Liberty
Author: Joseph A. Altsheler
Release Date: May 18, 2005 [eBook #15852]
Language: English
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THE TEXAN STAR
The Story of a Great Fight for Liberty
by
JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
Author of The Quest of the Four, The Border Watch, The Scouts of the
Valley, etc.
Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. New York
1912

PREFACE
"The Texan Star," while a complete story in itself, is the first of three,
projected by the author, and based upon the Texan struggle for liberty
against the power of Mexico. This revolution, epic in its nature, and
crowded with heroism and great events, divides itself naturally into
three parts.
The first phase begins in Mexico with the treacherous imprisonment of
Austin, the Texan leader, the rise of Santa Anna and his attempt,
through bad faith, to disarm the Texans and leave them powerless
before the Indians. It culminates in the rebellion of the Texans, and
their capture, in the face of great odds, of San Antonio, the seat of the
Mexican power in the north.
The second phase is the coming of Santa Anna with an overwhelming

force, the fall of the Alamo, the massacre of Goliad and the dark days
of Texas. Yet the period of gloom is relieved by the last stand of
Crockett, Bowie, and their famous comrades.
The third phase is the coming of light in the darkness, Houston's
crowning victory at San Jacinto, and the complete victory of the
Texans.
The story of the Texan fight for freedom has always appealed to the
author, as one of the most remarkable of modern times.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
THE PRISONERS II A HAIR-CUT III SANCTUARY IV THE PALM
V IN THE PYRAMID VI THE MARCH WITH COS VII THE
DUNGEON UNDER THE SEA VIII THE BLACK JAGUAR IX THE
RUINED TEMPLES X CACTUS AND MEXICANS XI THE LONG
CHASE XII THE TRIAL OF PATIENCE XIII THE TEXANS XIV
THE RING TAILED PANTHER XV THE FIRST GUN XVI THE
COMING OF URREA XVII THE OLD CONVENT XVIII IN SAN
ANTONIO XIX THE BATTLE BY THE RIVER XX THE WHEEL
OF FIRE XXI THE TEXAN STAR XXII THE TAKING OF THE
TOWN

THE TEXAN STAR
CHAPTER I
THE PRISONERS
A boy and a man sat in a room of a stone house in the ancient City of
Mexico, capital in turn of Aztec, Spaniard and Mexican. They could
see through the narrow windows masses of low buildings and tile roofs,

and beyond, the swelling shape of great mountains, standing clear
against the blue sky. But they had looked upon them so often that the
mind took no note of the luminous spectacle. The cry of a water-seller
or the occasional jingle of a spur came from the street below, but these,
too, were familiar sounds, and they were no longer regarded.
The room contained but little furniture and the door was of heavy oak.
Its whole aspect indicated that it was a prison. The man was of middle
years, and his face showed a singular blend of kindness and firmness.
The pallor of imprisonment had replaced his usual color. The boy was
tall and strong and his cheeks were yet ruddy. His features bore some
resemblance to those of his older comrade.
"Ned," said the man at last, "it has been good of you to stay with me
here, but a prison is no place for a boy. You must secure a release and
go back to our people."
The boy smiled, and his face, in repose rather stern for one so young,
was illumined in a wonderful manner.
"I don't want to leave you, Uncle Steve," he said, "and if I did it's not
likely that I could. This house is strong, and it's a long way from here to
Texas."
"Perhaps I can induce them to let you go," said the man. "Why should
they wish to hold one so young?"
Edward Fulton did not reply because he saw that Stephen Austin was
speaking to himself rather than his companion. Instead,