d to the same
leader."

"Do you know that Santa Anna is in San Antonio?"

"I felt it, though I had no certain news. I came far around, and hid
myself from all passers-by, for the sake of the wagon and the horses.
I have the happiness to say they are safe. The wagon is within the
enclosure, the horses are on the prairie. They have been well trained,
and will come to my call. As for me, I will now go into the city, for
there will be much to see and to hear that may be important to us.
Senoritas, for all your desires, I am at your service."

When Ortiz was gone, Isabel had a little fret of disappointment. Luis
might have found some messenger to bring her a word of his love and
life. What was love worth that did not annihilate impossibilities!
However, it consoled her a little to carry Jack's letter to his mother.
The Senora had taken her morning chocolate and fallen asleep. When
Isabel awakened her, she opened her eyes with a sigh, and a look of
hopeless misery. These pallid depressions attacked her most cruelly in
the morning, when the room, shabby and unfamiliar, gave both her memory,
and anticipation a shock.

But the sight of the letter flushed her face with expectation. She took
it with smiles. She covered it with kisses. When she opened it, a curl
from Jack's head fell on to her lap. She pressed it to her heart, and
then rose and laid it at the feet of her Madonna. "She must share my
joy," she said with a pathetic childishness; "she will understand it."
Then, with her arm around Isabel, and the girl's head on his shoulder,
they read together Jack's loving words:

"Mi madre, mi madre, you have Juan's heart in your heart. Believe me,
that in all this trouble I sorrow only for you. When victory is won I
shall fly to you. Other young men have other loves; I have only you,
sweet mother. There is always the cry in my heart for the kiss I missed
when I left you. If I could hold your hand to-night, if I could hear
your voice, if I could lay my head on your breast, I would say that the
Holy One had given me the best blessings He had in heaven. Send to me a
letter, madre--a letter full of love and kisses. Forgive Juan! Think of
this only: HE IS MY BOY! If I live, it is for you, who are the loveliest
and dearest of mothers. If I die, I shall die with your name on my lips.
I embrace you with my soul. I kiss your hands, and remember how often
they have clasped mine. I kiss your eyes, your cheeks, your dear lips.
Mi madre, r