and the cattle. Ah, what a ruin! I rode
back by there on my way to Goliad."

The young Mexican pressed his hands over his eyes and Ned thrilled with
sympathy.

"What became of your uncle and his family?" asked the boy.

"They rode north for San Felipe de Austin. They will be safe but they
lose all."

"Never mind," said Obed, "we'll make the Mexicans pay it back, when we
drive 'em out of Texas. I don't believe that any good patriot will
suffer."

"Nevertheless," said Urrea, "my uncle is willing to lose and endure for
the cause."

Ned slept half through the morning in one of the little adobe houses,
and at noon he, Obed, the Ring Tailed Panther and others rode toward San
Antonio. They slept that night in a pecan grove, and the next day
continued their journey, meeting in the morning a Texan who informed
them that Cos with a formidable force was in San Antonio. He also
confirmed the information that the Texans were gathering from all points
for the attack upon this, the greatest Mexican fortress in all Texas.
Mr. Austin was commander-in-chief of the forces, but he wished to yield
the place to Houston who would not take it.

Late in the afternoon they saw horsemen and rode toward them boldly. The
group was sixty or eighty in number and they stopped for the smaller
body to approach. Ned's keen eyes recognized them first, and he uttered
a cry of joy.

"There's Mr. Bowie," he said, "and there are Smith and Karnes, too! They
are all on their way to San Antonio."

He took off his hat and waved it joyously. Smith and Karnes did the same
and Bowie smiled gravely as the boy rode up.

"Well, Ned," he said, "we meet again and I judge that we ride on the
same errand."

"We do. To San Antonio."

"An' there'll be the biggest fight that was ever seen in Texas," said
the Ring Tailed Panther, who knew Bowie well. "If Mexicans an' Texans
want to get to roarin' an' rippin' they'll have the chance."

"They will, Panther," said Bowie, still smiling gravely. Then he looked
inquiringly at Urrea.

"This is Don Francisco Urrea," said Obed. "He was born in Texas, and he
is with us heart and soul. By a hard ride he saved his uncle and family
from slaughter by the guerrillas of Cos, and he reached Goliad just a
few minutes too late to take part in the capture of the Mexican force."

"Some of the Mexicans born in Texas are with us," said Bowie, "and
before we are through at San Antonio, Don Francisco, you will have a
good chance