Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/61

 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.]