wild country, to protect ourselves from the Comanches,
Lipans and other Indians who roam everywhere, robbing and murdering?"

Austin's face, usually so benevolent, flushed and his eyes were very
bright. Ned looked intently at Santa Anna to see how he would take the
daring and truthful indictment. But the Mexican showed no confusion,
only astonishment. He threw up his hands in a vivid southern gesture and
looked at Austin in surprised reproof.

"My friend," he said in injured but not angry tones, "how can you ask me
such a question? Am I not here to protect the Texans? Am I not President
of Mexico? Am I not head of the Mexican army? My gallant soldiers, my
horsemen with their lances and sabers, will draw a ring around the
Texans through which no Comanche or Lipan, however daring, will be able
to break."

He spoke with such fire, such appearance of earnestness, that Ned,
despite a mind uncommonly keen and analytical in one so young, was
forced to believe for a moment. Texas, however, was far and immense, and
there were not enough soldiers in all America to put a ring around the
wild Comanches. But the impression remained longer with Austin, who was
ever hoping for the best, and ever seeing the best in others.

Ned was a silent boy who had suffered many hardships, and he had
acquired the habit of thought which in its turn brought observation and
judgment. Yet if Santa Anna was acting he was doing it with consummate
skill, and the boy who never said a word watched him all the time.

Santa Anna began to talk now of the great future that awaited the Texans
under the banner of Mexico. He poured forth the words with so much Latin
fervor that it was almost like listening to a song. Ned felt the
influence of the musical roll coming over him again, but, with an effort
of the will that was almost physical, he shook it off.

Santa Anna painted the picture of a dream, a gorgeous dream of many
colors. Mexico was to become a mighty country and the Texans with their
cool courage and martial energy would be no mean factor in it. Austin
would be one of his lieutenants, a sharer in his greatness and reward.
His eloquence was wonderful, and Ned felt once more the fascination of
the serpent. This was a man to whom only the grand and magnificent
appealed, and already he had achieved a part of his dream.

Ned moved a little closer to the window. He wished the fresh air to blow
upon his face. He saw that Mr. Austin was fully under the sp