strips of venison over the coals. There was so much life, so much
cheerfulness, and so much assurance of strength and invincibility that
Ned began to feel as if he did not have a care left. All the men already
called him Ned, and he felt that every one of them was his friend.

Karnes put a strip of venison on the sharp end of a stick, and broiled
it over the blaze. It gave out a singularly appetizing odor, and when it
was done he extended it to the boy.

"Here, Ned," he said, "take this on the end of your knife and eat it.
I'll wager that you haven't had any good warm victuals for a week, and
it will taste mighty well."

Ned ate it and asked for more. He would have done his own cooking, but
they would not let him. They seemed to take a pleasure in helping him,
and, used as they were to hardships and danger, they admired all the
more the tenacity and courage that had brought a boy so far.

"We can promise you one thing, Ned," said "Deaf" Smith. "We'll see that
you and Obed have a full night's good sleep and I guess you'll like
that about as much as a big supper."

"We certainly will," said Obed. "Sleep has got a lot of knitting to do
in my case."

"The same is true of me," said Ned, who had now eaten about all he
wanted, "but before I roll up in the blankets I want to say something to
you men."

His voice had suddenly become one of great gravity, and, despite his
youth, it impressed them. The darkness had now come, but the fire made a
center of light. They had put themselves in easy attitudes about it,
while the horses grazed just beyond them.

"I come from Texas myself," said Ned, "although I was born in Missouri.
My parents are dead, and I thought I could make my way in Texas. I met
Mr. Austin who is related to me, and he was good to me more than once.
When he went to Mexico to talk with the rulers there about our troubles
I went with him. I was a prisoner with him in the City of Mexico, and I
often saw the dictator, Santa Anna, and his brother-in-law, General
Cos."

Ned paused and a deep "Ah!" came from the men. They felt from his face
and manner that he was telling no idle tale.

"They said many fine words to Mr. Austin," said Ned, "and always they
promised that they were going to do great things for Texas. But much
time passed and they did nothing. Also they kept Mr. Austin a prisoner.
Then I escaped. I believed that they were preparing to attack Texas. I
was right. I was recaptured and both President S