ng and long. But the feeling was gone now. He had liked many of the
Mexicans and many of the Mexican traits, but he had felt with increasing
force that he could never reach out his hand and touch anything solid.
He thought of volcanic beings on a volcanic soil.

The throb of a drum came from the street below, and presently the shrill
sound of fifes was mingled with the steady beat. Ned stood up and
pressed his head as far forward as the bars of the window would let him.

"Soldiers, a regiment, I think," he said. "Ah, I can see them now! What
brilliant uniforms their officers wear!"

Austin also looked out.

"Yes," he said. "They know how to dress for effect. And their music is
good, too. Listen how they play."

It was a martial air, given with a splendid lilt and swing. The tune
crept into Ned's blood and his hand beat time on the stone sill. But the
music increased his longing for liberty. His thoughts passed away from
the narrow street and the marching regiment to the North, to the wild
free plains beyond the Rio Grande. It was there that his heart was, and
it was there that his body would be.

"It is General Cos who leads them," said Austin. "I can see him now,
riding upon a white horse. It's the man in the white and silver uniform,
Ned."

"He's the brother-in-law of Santa Anna, is he not?"

"Yes, and I fear him. I know well, Ned, that he hates the Texans--all of
us."

"Perhaps the regiment that we see now is going north against our
people."

Austin's brows contracted.

"It may be so," he said. "They give soft words all the time, and yet
they hold me a prisoner here. It would be like them to strike while
pretending to clear away all the troubles between us."

He sighed again. Ned watched the soldiers until the last of them had
passed the window, and then he listened to the music, the sound of drum
and fife, until it died away, and they heard only the usual murmur of
the city. Then the homesickness, the longing for the great free country
to the north grew upon him and became almost overpowering.

"Someone comes," said Austin.

They heard the sound of the heavy bar that closed the door being moved
from its place.

"Our dinner, doubtless," said Austin, "but it is early."

The door swung wide and a young Mexican officer entered. He was taller
and fairer than most of his race, evidently of pure Northern Spanish
blood, and his countenance was frank and fine.

"Welcome, Lieutenant," said Stephen Austin