le find their tongues also,
very soon." She was exceedingly anxious for information; and, as she ate
her roll and drank her coffees she was considering how they could gain
it. For even if Fray Ignatius were able to visit them, his report would
be colored by his prejudices and his desires, and could not be relied
on.

Her heart fluttered and sank; she was hot and cold, sanguine and
fearful. She could not endure the idea of a suspense unrelieved by
any reliable word. For the siege might be a long one. San Antonio was
strongly walled and defended. The Alamo fortress stood in its centre.
It had forty-eight cannon, and a garrison of a thousand men. Before it
could be reached, the city had to be taken; and the inhabitants would in
the main fight desperately for their homes.

As soon as she was alone with her mother, she pointed out these facts to
her. "Let me write to Lopez Navarro, mi madre. He is a friend."

"Of the Americans! Si."

"Of freedom. He will send us word."

"Are you forgetful of what is moral and respectable, Antonia? That a
young lady should write to Lopez Navarro--a man that is unmarried--is
such a thing as never before happened! He would think the world had come
to an end, or worse."

"Dear mother! In a time of trouble like this, who would think wrong of
us? Surely you might write."

"As you say, Antonia. Tell me, then, who will take the letter."

"The peon Ortiz will take it. This morning he brought in wood and
kindled the fire, and I saw in his face the kindness of his heart."

After some further persuasion, the Senora agreed to write; and Ortiz
undertook the commission, with a nod of understanding. Then there
remained nothing to be done but to listen and to watch. Fortunately,
however, Rachela found the centre of interest among the servants in
the kitchen; and the Senora and her daughter could converse without
espionage.

Just after sunset a letter arrived from Navarro. Rachela lingered in the
room to learn its contents. But the Senora, having read them, passed the
letter to Antonia and Isabel; and Rachela saw with anger that Antonia,
having carefully considered it, threw it into the fire. And yet the news
it brought was not unfavorable:

"SENORA MARIA FLORES WORTH:

"I send this on December the fifth, in the year of our
Blessed Lord and Lady 1835. It is my honor and pleasure to
tell you that the Americans, having performed miracles of
valor, reached the Plaza this