The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 4, July 1900 - April, 1901 Page: 78
366 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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78 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
Bravo. In the meantime, apprehension s of the immediate invasion
of Texas had died away; and, as a considerable force was kept on
foot there, the commissioners no longer felt any dread concerning
the safety -of their country. 'Still the thought 'of escape continually
occupied their minds. Major Miller had effected his, and had
arrived safe at General Rusk's camp before Karnes and Teal were
confined; 'and they, some time after their transfer to private quar-
ters, were very near making a desperate flitting before -any feasible
plan could be formed four doing it with a fair prospect of success.
They had acquired some knowledge o'f Spanish; and ,one ,evening on
their way to, supper 'they ventured to, sound the two soldiers who had
charge 'of them, and found them willing to desert, and, for a small
consideration, to escort their prisoners out 'of town before 'taking
their 'own course of flight. This need not seem strange, for it was
at a time when desertion was rife among the half-paid soldiery.
'The captives could have had no ,other plan than tto cross' the river in
.any manner they could, 'and make their way on foot as best they
might through the arid waste between the Rio Grande and the
Nueces. The supper was eaten, and an extra ration from the table
put into 'each pocket; and the prisoners and gu.rds commenced a
brisk march towards the country. 'They had nearly reached the
edge 'of the city when a military patrol, crossing their course,
frightened the soldiers, who peremptorily demanded a return to
quarters. 'Thus the attempt failed; but, one minor indMi'en cbn-
nected ,with it is worthy of mention. On the 'outward 'march, when
not far from the outskirts, they passed two of the black 'fugitives
from Texas who had been so ualarmed by the arrival ,of the commis-
sioners. "My Gold, B'en," said one to the other, "the sojers is a
takin' 'em 'out Ito. the bush to. shooot 'em." This was (the 'only way
in which the negro .could account for the .direction which guard and
prisoners were jointly taking. He spoke with evident horror, and
it was very pleasing to the two Texans to meet with such a token
of sympathy where it was hardly to be expected, considering the
relation in which the commissioners stood towards the runaways.
It was ,one instance 'of the many which 'occur 'of t'he kindly feeling
which the escaped slave can entertain towards' the house of bondage
and its flesh-pots.
Karnes and Teal continued in this loose kind of custody, I think,
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 4, July 1900 - April, 1901, periodical, 1901; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101018/m1/92/?rotate=90: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.