shall carry words that will satisfy every one of them."

He threw his arms about Austin's shoulders, gave Ned a quick salute, and
then left the room, taking young de Zavala with him, Ned heard the heavy
bar fall in place on the outside of the door, and he knew that they were
shut in as tightly as ever. But Mr. Austin was in a glow.

"What a wonderful, flexible mind!" he said, more to himself than to the
boy. "I could have preferred a sort of independence for Texas, but since
we're to be ruled from the City of Mexico, Santa Anna will do the best
he can for us. As soon as he sweeps away the revolutionary troubles he
will repair all our injuries."

Ned was silent. He knew that the generous Austin was still under Santa
Anna's magnetic spell, but after his departure the whole room was
changed to the boy. He saw clearly again. There were no mists and clouds
about his mind. Moreover, the wonderful half curve before the window was
changing. Vapors were rolling up from the south and the two great peaks
faded from view. Trees and water in the valley changed to gray. The
skies which had been so bright now became somber and menacing.

The boy felt a deep fear at his heart, but Mr. Austin seemed to be yet
under the influence of Santa Anna, and talked cheerfully of their speedy
return to Texas. Ned listened in silence and unbelief, while the gloom
outside deepened, and night presently came over Anahuac. But he had
formed his resolution. He owed much to Mr. Austin. He had come a vast
distance to be at his side, and to serve him in prison, but he felt now
that he could be of more use elsewhere. Moreover, he must carry a
message, a warning to those who needed it sorely. One of the windows
opened upon the north, and he looked intently through it trying to
pierce, with the mind's eye at least, the thousand miles that lay
between him and those whom he would reach with the word.

Mr. Austin had lighted a candle. Noticing the boy's gloomy face, he
patted him on the head with a benignant hand and said:

"Don't be down of heart, Edward, my lad. We'll soon be on our way to
Texas."

"But this is Mexico, and it is Santa Anna who holds us."

"That is true, and it is Santa Anna who is our best friend."

Ned did not dispute the sanguine saying. He saw that Mr. Austin had his
opinion, and he had his. The door was opened again in a half hour and a
soldier brought them their supper. Young de Zavala, who was their
immediate guardian, also enter