's eyes. He rejoiced in the affection and esteem of
this man, and yet Mr. Austin was very unlike the rest of the Texans.
They were rough riders; men of the plains always ready to fight, but he,
cultivated and scholarly, was for peace and soft words. He had used his
methods, and they had failed, inuring only to the advantage of Santa
Anna and Mexico. He had failed most honorably, but he looked very much
worn and depressed. He was now heart and soul for the war, knowing that
there was no other resort, but for battle he did not feel himself
fitted.

Ned introduced Obed as the companion of most of his wanderings, and Obed
received a warm greeting. Then other men in the great tent came forward,
and Ned, surprised, saw that one of them was Urrea, dressed neatly,
handsome and smiling. But the boy was glad to see him.

"Ah, Senor Ned," he said, "you did not expect that I would get here
before you. I came by another way, and I have brought information for
our leader."

Ned met the other men in the tent, all destined to become famous in the
great war, and then he gave in detail once more all that he knew of the
Mexicans and their plans. Mr. Austin sat on a little camp stool, as he
listened, and Ned noticed how pale and weak he looked. The boy's heart
sank, and then flamed up again as he thought of Santa Anna. It was he
who had done this. Away from Santa Anna and free from his magnetism he
had a heart full of hatred for him. Yet it depressed him to see Mr.
Austin who, good man, was obviously unfit for the leadership of an army,
about to enter upon a desperate war against great odds.

When Ned was excused, and left the tent he found that Smith, Karnes and
the rest of their force had come up. The camp which was more like that
of hunters than of an army, was in joyous mood. Several buffaloes had
been killed on the plains and the men had brought them in, quartered.
Now they were cooking the meat over great fires, scattered about the
groves. The younger spirits were in boisterous mood. Several groups were
singing, and others were dancing the breakdowns of the border.

Ned and Obed were joined by the Ring Tailed Panther and then by Urrea.
Ned felt the high spirits of the young Texans, but he did not join in
the singing and dancing. He learned from Urrea that Houston would arrive
in a day or two with more volunteers from Eastern Texas, and the young
Mexican also told him something about San Antonio.

"Cos has a large force of regul