beginning."

A number of the Mexicans had been slain, but none of the Texans had
fallen, the aim of their opponents being so wild. The triumph had
certainly been an easy one, but Ned perhaps rejoiced less than any other
one present. The full mind again projected itself into the future, and
foresaw great and terrible days. The Texans were but few, scattered
thinly over a long frontier, and the rage of Cos and Santa Anna would be
unbounded, when they heard of the fight and flight of their troops at
Gonzales.

"Obed," he said to his friend, "we are victorious to-day without loss,
but I feel that dark days are coming."

The Maine man looked curiously at the boy. He already considered Ned,
despite his youth, superior in some ways to himself.

"You've been a reader and you're a thinker, Ned," he said, "and I like
to hear what you say. The dark days may come as you predict, because
Santa Anna is a great man in the Mexican way, but night can't come until
the day is ended and it's day just now. We won't be gloomy yet."

After the fallen Mexicans had been buried, the little force of voluntary
soldiers began to disperse, just as they had gathered, of their own
accord. The work there was done, and they were riding for their own
little villages or lone cabins, where they would find more work to do.
The Mexicans would soon fall on Texas like a cloud, and every one of
them knew it.

Ned, Obed and the Ring Tailed Panther rode back to Gonzales, where the
women and children welcomed the victors with joyous acclaim.

The three sat down with others to a great feast, spread on tables under
the shade of oaks, and consisting chiefly of game, buffalo, deer,
squirrels, rabbits and other animals which had helped the early Texans
to live. But throughout the dinner Ned and Obed were rather quiet,
although the Ring Tailed Panther roared to his heart's content. It was
Ned who spoke first the thought that was in the minds of both Obed and
himself. Slowly and by an unconscious process he was becoming the
leader.

"Obed," he said, "everybody can do as he pleases, and I propose that you
and I and the Ring Tailed Panther scout toward San Antonio. Cos and his
army are marching toward that town, and while the Texan campaign of
defense is being arranged and the leaders are being chosen we might give
a lot of help."

"Just what I was thinking," said Obed.

"Jest what I ought to have thought," said the Ring Tailed Panther.

San Antonio was a lon