za, but fortunately I had the presence of
mind to wrap it in the serape that I wore.

"When I reached the street there was much excitement and many soldiers
running about, but being a Mexican it was easy for me to pass
unsuspected in the crowd. I reached the home of a relative, at heart a
sympathizer with Texas and liberty, where my wound was bound up, and
where I lay hidden until morning, when I was smuggled out of the town.
Then I made my way among the oaks and pecans, until I came here to our
camp on the Salado. I had inquired for you during the night, and, not
hearing any news of your capture, I was sure that you were in hiding as
I was, and when I came here my best hopes were confirmed by the news of
your complete escape. Mr. White has already given me all the details. We
have been very lucky indeed, and we should be thankful."

"We are! We truly are!" exclaimed Ned, grasping his hand again.

The news brought by Ned and his comrades was so important that the
Texans could not be restrained. A few mornings later Bowie called upon
the boy, Obed and the Ring Tailed Panther for a new service.

"Mr. Austin has told me to take a strong party," he said, "and scout up
to the very suburbs of San Antonio, because we are going to choose a new
and closer position. There are to be ninety of us, including you three,
'Deaf' Smith and Henry Karnes, and we are to retire if the Mexicans
undertake an attack upon us, that is, if we have time--you understand,
if we have time."

Ned saw Bowie's big eyes glitter, and he understood. The party, the envy
of all the others, rode out of the camp in the absence of Urrea. Bowie
had not asked him, as he did not seem to fancy the young Mexican, but
Ned put it down to racial prejudice. Urrea had not been visible when
they started, but Ned thought chagrin at being ignored was the cause of
it. Fannin also went along, associated with Bowie in the leadership, but
Bowie was the animating spirit. They rode directly toward San Antonio,
and, as the distance was very short, they soon saw Mexican sentinels on
horseback, some carrying lances and some with rifles or muskets. They
would withdraw gradually at the appearance of the Texans, keeping just
out of gunshot, but always watching these dangerous horsemen whom they
had learned to fear. The Texans were near enough to see from some points
the buildings of the town, and the veins of the Ring Tailed Panther
swelled with ambition.

"Ned," he said to the b