hundred and sixty men to join him. This addition would make the
American force nearly twelve hundred strong. Besides which, Fannin's
little army was of the finest material, being composed mostly of
enthusiastic volunteers from Georgia and Alabama; young men, who, like
Dare Grant and John Worth, were inspired with the idea of freedom, or
the spread of Americanism, or the fanaticism of religious liberty of
conscience--perhaps, even, with hatred of priestly domination. Houston
felt that he would be sufficient for Santa Anna when the spirit of this
company was added to the moral force of men driven from their homes and
families to fight for the lands they had bought and the rights which had
been guaranteed them.

So he watched the horizon anxiously for Fannin's approach, often
laying his ear to the ground to listen for what he could not see. And,
impatient as he was for their arrival, the Senora was more so. She
declared that her sufferings would be unendurable but for this hope. The
one question on her lips, the one question in her eyes, was, "Are they
coming?" And Antonia, though she did not speak of her private hopes, was
equally anxious. Brother and lover were both very dear to her. And to
have the whole family together would be in itself a great help. Whatever
their deprivations and fatigues, they could comfort each other with
their affection.

Every day wagon-loads of women and children joined the camp, and the
march eastward was very slow. But no circumstance extols more loudly the
bravery and tenderness of these American soldiers than the patience
with which this encumbrance was endured. Men worn out with watching and
foraging were never too weary to help some mother still more weary, or
to carry some little child whose swollen feet would no longer aid it.

One night they rested at a little place on the Colorado. In one room
of a deserted cabin Houston sat with Major Hockly, dictating to him a
military dispatch. They had no candles, and Houston was feeding the fire
with oak splinters, to furnish light enough for their necessity. In the
other room, the Worth family were gathered. Antonia, in preparing for
their journey, had wisely laid a small mattress and a couple of pillows
in the wagon; and upon this mattress the Senora and Isabel were resting.
Doctor Worth and Thomas sat by the fire talking of Fannin's delay; and
Antonia was making some corn-meal cakes for their supper.

When the Senora's portion was given to