exans were coming by scores.

"It's all over now," said Obed.

The Texans divided into two forces. One drove the main column of the
Mexicans in confusion back upon the town, and the other, containing Ned
and his friends, charged into the gully and put to flight or captured
all who were hidden there. They also took the mules with their loads of
grass which they carried back to their own camp.

Ned, the Ring Tailed Panther, Obed and "Deaf" Smith rode back together
to the Salado. It had been a fine victory, won as usual against odds,
but they were not exultant. In the breast of every one of them had been
a hope that the whole Texan army would seize the opportunity and charge
at once upon Cos and San Antonio. Instead, they had been ordered back.

They made their discontent vocal that and the following evenings. There
was no particular order among the Texans. They usually acted in groups,
according to the localities from which they came, and some, believing
that nothing would be done, had gone home disgusted. Mr. Austin himself
had left, and Houston had persisted in his refusal to command. Burleson,
a veteran Indian fighter, had finally been chosen for the leadership.
Houston soon left, and Bowie, believing that nothing would be done,
followed him.

It was only a few days after the grass fight, and despite that victory,
Ned felt the current of depression. It seemed that their fortune was
melting away without their ever putting it to the touch. Although new
men had come their force was diminishing in numbers and San Antonio was
farther from their hands than ever.

"If we don't do something before long," said Henry Karnes, "we'll just
dissolve like a snow before a warm wind."

"An' all our rippin' an' tearin' will go for nothin'," growled the Ring
Tailed Panther. "We've won every fight we've been in, an' yet they won't
let us go into that town an' have it out with Cos."

"We'll get it yet," said Obed cheerfully. "In war it's a long lane that
has no battle at the end. Just you be patient, Panther. Patience will
have her good fight. I've tested it more than once myself."

Ned did not say anything. He had made himself a comfortable place, and,
as the cold night wind was whistling among the oaks and pecans, the fire
certainly looked very good to him. He watched the flames leap and sink,
and the great beds of coals form, and once more he was very glad that he
was not alone again on the Mexican mountains. He resolutely put