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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
his characteristic energy and efficiency, Long, in the course of that evening and the succeeding day, relieved his friend; purchased sup- plies; redeemed the schooner :which had been seized by the creditors of Trespalacios and set sail on the next morning for Bolivar Point; "·here he arrived a few hours before the dilatory S'elik. The voyage was both speedy and stormy. Amidst a terrible tem- pest, threatening wreck and destruction, some of the new recruits, alarmed at the prospects of a watery grave, suspended their labor and commenced praying. One of them proposed to throw the flour overboard; and was about to suit the action to the word, when the self-possessed Commander, seized him by the collar, and in a voice above the winds and waves, thundered to the affrighted men that he would pitch them every one headlong into the gulf if they did not immediately resume their duty. They fell to work; and by incessant effort, saved the boat.- When within twenty :miles of Bolivar, early jn the morning . General Long forsook the boat and proceeded on foot along the beach. He met fourteen of his men, who had abandoned the en- terprise and were wending their way to the United States. They had left, however, by permission, in accordance with directions given to l\iajor Milam that, if any of the soldiers, in the absence of the Gen-· eral should desire to leave the service in consequence of the scarcity of provisions, they might be permitted to do so. The present party had availed themselves of this privilege; and not without some shew of reason, a,s there was at that time only fifteen days provisions in th<' Fort. Nevertheless, the General jeered them a little for their want of firmness and perseverance in deserting a cause which they had voluntarily espoused for weal or woe, and then told them that they were at liberty to prosecute their journey or to return to the Fort if they preferred to do so. They all chose the latter, and before the setting of the sun rejoined the Garrison with increased attach- ment for their commander and augmented devotion to the service. Trespalacios arrived soon after, with additional supplies, reviving hope and diffusing general satsfacton. About this period - the Summer of 1821 - Fort Bolivar was visited by several officers of the American Kavy. ·whether their objects were official or merely social is not known to us. Long had :received s:.imilar visits at various times; and the urbanity of his manners, as well as his noble bearing as an Officer and man of chivalry, never failed to secure the friendship and admiration of all whom curiosity or business had brought to the Point. The military subordination of the Garrison; the cleanly appearance of the soldiers' quarters; the rural elegance of l\Irs· Long's little cottage, herself throwing over all the radiance of cheerfulness and joy; the glowing descriptions of the country by those who had pene- trated into the interior; and above all the glorious hope of planting in this almost unknown and beautiful region the broad Banner of Freedom, Independence and Commerce, were well calculated to warm and animate the breast of any one who had the- least spark of generous enthusiasm in his nature, and to call forth the heart's best
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