[From _Texas_ (Lexington, Kentucky, 1836)]
Living in a wild country under circumstances requiring constant
exertion, forms the character to great and daring enterprise. Women thus
situated are known to perform exploits, which the effeminate men of
populous cities might tremble at. Hence there are more Dianas and
_Esther Stanhopes_ than one in Texas. It is not uncommon for ladies to
mount their mustangs and hunt with their husbands, and with them to camp
out for days on their excursions to the sea shore for fish and oysters.
All visiting is done on horseback, and they will go fifty miles to a
ball with their silk dresses, made perhaps in Philadelphia or New
Orleans, in their saddle-bags. Hardy, vigorous constitutions, free
spirits, and spontaneous gaiety are thus induced, and continued a rich
legacy to their children, who, it is to be hoped, will sufficiently
value the blessing not to squander it away, in their eager search for
the luxuries and refinements of polite life. Women have capacity for
greatness, but they require occasions to bring it out. They require,
perhaps, stronger motives than men--they have stronger barriers to break
through of indolence and habit--but, when roused, they are quick to
discern and unshrinking to act. _Lot was unfortunate in his wife._ Many
a wife in Texas has proved herself the better half, and many a widow's
heart has prompted her to noble daring.
Mrs. ---- left her home in Kentucky with her six sons, and _no other
jewels_. There was good land and room in Texas. Hither she came with
the first settlers, at a time when the Indians were often troublesome
by coming in large companies and encamping near an isolated farm,
demanding of its helpless proprietors, not then too well provided for,
whatever of provisions or other things struck their fancies. One of
these _foraging_ parties, not over nice in their demands, stationed
themselves in rather too near proximity to the dwelling of this
veteran lady. They were so well satisfied with their position, and
scoured the place so completely, that she ventured to remonstrate,
gently at first, then more vehemently. All would not do: the
_pic-nics_ would not budge an inch; and moreover threatened life if
she did not forbear from further expressions of impatience. The good
woman was _armed_. She buckled on her _breastplate_ of _courage_, if
not of _righteousness_, and with her children and women servants, all
her household around her, sent for the chief, and very boldly
expostulating with him, _commanded_ him to depart on the instant at
the peril of his tribe; or by a signal she would call in her whole
_people_, numerous and formidable, and exterminate his race. She was
no more troubled with the Indians. She lives comfortably with her
thriving family and thriving fortune, and with great credit to
herself, on the road between Brazoria and San Felipe, in the same
house now famed for its hospitality and comfort. It is the usual
stopping place for travellers on that route, who are not a little
entertained with the border stories and characteristic jests there
related, by casual companies meeting for the night and sharing the
same apartment. It was thus that the above incident, much more
exemplified, was drawn from the hostess herself. A volume of
_reminiscences_ thus collected, racy with the marvellous, would not be
_unapt_ to modern taste, and the modern science of book-making.