Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 34 of 432

XXX1V

PERSONAL NARRATIVE,

apartment of that hostelry; and as the rule is " first
come, first served," the house being crowded, he
was obliged to accept the joint occupancy of a room
in which were two beds besides his own, with their
respective tenants. The young soldier, reluctant to
make his morning toilette in the presence of two
strangers, was occasionally held in bedchamber
durance until a rather late hour; and, on my rating
him with indolence, revealed the cause,-to which
he had submitted with uncomplaining patience.
When liberated, however, he made the best use of
his time, visiting the arsenals and public works, and
proving, by his pertinent questions and remarks,
that he had acquired much practical information,
and was desirous to acquire more. I felt proud of
my young countryman, and set him down as destined
to professional eminence. Let me hope that he will
forgive this rambling introduction of his name.
The necessary brevity of this sketch does not
permit me to tarry at the seat of the Federal Legislature-a
place that accorded ill with my tastes and
habits, and which probably suffered somewhat in
mv estimation from my being at the time in
delicate health. Moreover, all around me were
stirring actors, and I merely a speculative observer;
so that the days became wearisome, and the even