who have come into
the wilderness of the far North," he replied. "They talk of an army
going soon against them, and they talk, too, of a daring escape."

He paused and contemplatively lit a cigarrito.

"What was the escape?" asked Ned, the pulse in his wrist beginning to
beat hard.

"One of the Texans, whom the great Santa Anna holds, but a boy they say
he was, though fierce, slipped between the bars of his window and is
gone. They wish to get him back; they are anxious to take him again for
reasons that are too much for Benito."

"Do you think they will find him?"

"How do I know? But they say he is yet in the capital, and there is a
reward of one hundred good Spanish dollars for the one who will bring
him in, or who will tell where he is to be found."

Benito quietly puffed at his cigarrito and Juana, the cooking being
over, threw ashes on the coals.

"If he is still hiding within reach of Santa Anna's arm," said Ned,
"somebody is sure to betray him for the reward."

"I do not know," said Benito, tossing away the stub of his cigarrito.
Then he rose and began work in the field.

Ned went out with the elder boy, Carlos, and caught fish. They did not
return until twilight, and the others were already waiting placidly
while Juana prepared their food. None of them could read; they had
little; their life was of the most primitive, but Ned noticed that they
never spoke cross words to one another. They seemed to him to be
entirely content.

After supper they sat on the ground in front of the adobe hut. The
evening was clear and already many stars were coming into a blue sky.
The surface of the lake was silver, rippling lightly. Benito smoked
luxuriously.

"I saw this afternoon a friend of mine, Miguel Lampridi," he said after
a while. "He had just come down La Viga from the city."

"What news did he bring?" asked Edward.

"They are still searching everywhere for the young Texan who went
through the window--Eduardo Fulton is his name. Truly General Santa Anna
must have his reasons. The reward has been doubled."

"Poor lad," spoke Juana, who spoke seldom. "It may be that the young
Texan is not as bad as they say. But it is much money that they offer.
Someone will find him."

"It may be," said Benito. Then they sat a long time in silence. Juana
was the first to go into the house and to bed. After a while the two
boys followed. Another half hour passed, and Ned rose.

"I go, Benito," he said. "You and your wi