king it too hot for you out in the open."

"So it is," said the Panther, "and a man finds that out more than once
in his life."

Then they turned their horses and rode southward in the dusk. But before
long they made an angle and turned almost due west. It was their
intention to intersect the settlements that lay between the Rio Grande
and San Antonio and give warning of the approach of Santa Anna.

They went on steadily over a rolling country, mostly bare, but with
occasional clumps of trees.

CHAPTER VII

THE HERALD OF ATTACK

About midnight they rode into the thickest part of the woods that they
could find, and slept there until day. Then they continued their course
toward the west, and before night they saw afar small bands of horsemen.

"What do you say they are?" asked the Panther of Ned when they beheld
the first group. "Seems to me they are Mexican."

Ned looked long before returning an answer. Then he replied with
confidence:

"Yes, they are Mexicans. The two men in the rear have lances, and no
Texan ever carried such a weapon."

"Then," said Obed White, "it behooves us to have a care. We're scouts
now and we're not looking for a battle. He who dodges the fight and runs
away may live to scout another day."

The Mexican horsemen were on their right, and the four continued their
steady course to the west. They were reassured by the fact that the
Mexicans were likely to take them in the distance for other Mexicans. It
became evident now that Santa Anna was taking every precaution. He was
sending forward scouts and skirmishers in force, and the task of the
four was likely to become one of great danger.

Toward night an uncommonly raw and cold wind began to blow. That winter
was one of great severity in Northern Mexico and Southern Texas, noted
also for its frequent Northers. Although the time for the Texan spring
was near at hand, there was little sign of it. Not knowing what else to
do they sought the shelter of timber again and remained there a while.
By and by they saw for the second time a red glow in the south, and they
knew that it came from the camp fires of Santa Anna. But it was now many
miles north of the Rio Grande. Santa Anna was advancing.

"He's pressin' forward fast," said the Panther, "an' his skirmishers are
scourin' the plain ahead of him. We've got to keep a sharp lookout,
because we may run into 'em at any time. I think we'd better agree that
if by any luck we get separat