Juan Seguin by Robert E. Hollmann Page B

father was writing. “What’s the leader’s name?”
    Don Erasmo looked at the paper the Governor had left with him. “His name is Moses Austin.”

Chapter Three
    “Father, why are you letting these Americans come to Texas?” Juan looked across the desk at his father.
    Don Erasmo set his pen on his desk. “Juan, Texas is a big land. There’s enough room here for many people. The governor has had trouble convincing people in Mexico to come live here. We need settlers. These Americans will help to settle the land. They’ll make it a good place to raise families.”
    “How do you know these people will be the kind of people we’ll want to have as neighbors?”
    Don Erasmo stood up and walked over to a window. He looked out at a pasture where cattle were grazing.
    “How did you know you would become friends with Pablo?” Don Erasmo pointed at me as I stood in a corner of the room. “You gave him a chance, and he proved to you that he was your friend. We need to give these Americans a chance. I believe they’ll prove to be our friends.”
    “When are they coming?” Juan asked.
    Don Erasmo picked up a piece of paper from his desk. “This is a letter from Stephen Austin. He should be arriving here this afternoon.”
    “Stephen Austin? I thought his name was Moses.”
    “That was Stephen’s father. He passed away a short time ago. Stephen is taking his place.”
    Juan got up to leave. I started to open the door when Don Erasmo spoke once again. “When Mr. Austin gets here, I want you to be polite to him. We should never judge others until we give them a chance to prove themselves to us.”
    “Yes, Father,” Juan said. I opened the door and we walked outside.
    We walked over to the corral and watched the horses eating hay. After a few moments of silence, Juan looked at me.
    “What do you think about these Americans, Pablo?”
    I shook my head. “I don’t know, Juan. I’ve never met an American. The governor and your father seem to approve of them, so I think we should give them a chance, as your father said.”
    Juan turned and looked out over the vast prairies. He watched a hawk circling slowly overhead.
    “They’re probably right. It’s just that I love this land. This Texas. I want people who come here to love it too. Someday I’ll have a family, and I want them to be able to be as happy as I’ve been. I understand that we need people living in this land. So I’ll do as my father says. I’ll give them a chance. Who knows? Maybe I’ll like this Stephen Austin better than you.”
    Juan pushed me, then ran across the yard. I chased after him throwing dirt clods at him as he ran.
    * * *
    Later that day, Juan and I were sitting under a tree when we saw a rider coming slowly toward the house. We got up and walked into the middle of the yard. The rider stopped his horse next to us. He was a rather tall, slender man. His brown hair blew in the breeze.
    “Hello,” he said. “My name’s Stephen Austin. I’m looking for Mr. Erasmo Seguin. Can you tell me where I can find him?”
    Juan pointed toward the house. “My father’s in the house. I’m Juan Seguin. This is my friend, Pablo. Follow me and I’ll take you to him.”
    “Thank you,” Austin said as he dismounted and tied his horse to a hitching post.
    I followed Juan as he led Austin into the house. Don Erasmo looked up from his desk as we walked into the room.
    “Father, this is Mr. Stephen Austin. Mr. Austin, this is my father, Don Erasmo Seguin.”
    I watched as the two men shook hands. Don Erasmo pointed to a chair and Austin sat down.
    “It’s good to meet you, Mr. Austin. Did you have a good trip? Would you like some cool water?”
    “Thank you. That would be good. It wasn’t too bad. It’s a long way from Missouri to Texas. The people who came with me are resting a few miles down the road.”
    “How many came with you?” Don Erasmo asked.
    “Three hundred. I believe they’re all good people. You’ll like having them as