the Texans.

The story of the Texan fight for freedom has always appealed to the
author, as one of the most remarkable of modern times.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER
I THE PRISONERS
II A HAIR-CUT
III SANCTUARY
IV THE PALM
V IN THE PYRAMID
VI THE MARCH WITH COS
VII THE DUNGEON UNDER THE SEA
VIII THE BLACK JAGUAR
IX THE RUINED TEMPLES
X CACTUS AND MEXICANS
XI THE LONG CHASE
XII THE TRIAL OF PATIENCE
XIII THE TEXANS
XIV THE RING TAILED PANTHER
XV THE FIRST GUN
XVI THE COMING OF URREA
XVII THE OLD CONVENT
XVIII IN SAN ANTONIO
XIX THE BATTLE BY THE RIVER
XX THE WHEEL OF FIRE
XXI THE TEXAN STAR
XXII THE TAKING OF THE TOWN

THE TEXAN STAR

CHAPTER I

THE PRISONERS

A boy and a man sat in a room of a stone house in the ancient City of
Mexico, capital in turn of Aztec, Spaniard and Mexican. They could see
through the narrow windows masses of low buildings and tile roofs, and
beyond, the swelling shape of great mountains, standing clear against
the blue sky. But they had looked upon them so often that the mind took
no note of the luminous spectacle. The cry of a water-seller or the
occasional jingle of a spur came from the street below, but these, too,
were familiar sounds, and they were no longer regarded.

The room contained but little furniture and the door was of heavy oak.
Its whole aspect indicated that it was a prison. The man was of middle
years, and his face showed a singular blend of kindness and firmness.
The pallor of imprisonment had replaced his usual color. The boy was
tall and strong and his cheeks were yet ruddy. His features bore some
resemblance to those of his older comrade.

"Ned," said the man at last, "it has been good of you to stay with me
here, but a prison is no place for a boy. You must secure a release and
go back to our people."

The boy smiled, and his face, in repose rather stern for one so young,
was illumined in a wonderful manner.

"I don't want to leave you, Uncle Steve," he said, "and if I did it's
not likely that I could. This house is strong, and it's a long way from
here to Texas."

"Perhaps I can induce them to let you go," said the man. "Why should
they wish to hold one so young?"

Edward Fulton did not reply because he saw that Stephen Austin was
speaking to himself rather than his companion. Instead, he looked once
more through the window and over the ci