Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/195

 Who, when the trumpet-blast of victory Hath sounded o'er our graves, with come to them With holy awe, as if they were inscribed With that most glorious epitaph of old: "Siste, viator, an heroem calcas: Stop, wand'rer, else thou treadest on a hero!" And as none else but thou alone wilt be The last defender of the Alamo, So, too, defend by writ and speech our cause Hereafter, when our memory is assailed By slanderous and infamous detraction. This my behest to thee as thy commander, To which as friend I add this humble prayer: So soon thou canst, to hand this note of mine To Elsie Bradburn, where she ever be. To tell her, that my bosom's latest throb Will beat for her, that with her name endeared Upon my lips, my soul will soar to heaven. Wilt, friend, thou promise to fulfill these trusts? I will, I will! Oh, Travis, what a parting! Thanks, thanks, my friend! And now all earthly tasks Attended to, farewell, until we meet Before the throne of God in Heaven above. [Travis embraces Smith with mute emotion. Suddenly he tears himself from the Chaplain's arms, and with his