acle, but where are all your companions in that
siege? Dead. You escaped and joined the Texans at Refugio. Where are
the defenders of Refugio? In the swamps of the Guadalupe, and we have
only to put forth our hands and take them. You escaped from Refugio to
find Fannin and his men. Where are Fannin and his men now? Prisoners in
our hands. How many of the Texans are left? There is no place in all
Texas so far that the arm of the great Santa Anna cannot reach it."

Ned was stung by his taunts and replied:

"You forget Houston."

Urrea laughed.

"Houston! Houston!" he said. "He does nothing. And your so-called
government does nothing, but talk. They, too, will soon feel the might
and wrath of Santa Anna. Nothing can save them but a swift flight to the
States."

"We shall see," said Ned, although at that moment he was far from
confident. "Remember how our men died at the Alamo. The Texans cannot be
conquered."

Urrea said nothing further, as if he would not exult over a fallen
enemy, although Ned knew that he was swelling with triumph, and went
back to his uncle's camp. The Texan arms were taken ahead on some
wagons, and then the dreary procession of the Texans themselves marched
out of the hollow. They were all on foot and without arms. Those hurt
worst were sustained by their comrades, and, thus, they marched into the
Mexican camp, where they expected food and water, but General Urrea
directed them to walk on to Goliad.

Fainting from hunger and thirst, they took up their march again. The
Mexican cavalry rode on either side of them, and many of the horsemen
were not above uttering taunts which, fortunately, few of the prisoners
could understand. Young Urrea was in command of this guard and he rode
near the head of the column where Ned could see him. Now and then a
Mexican vaquero cracked his long whip, and every report made Ned start
and redden with anger.

Some of the recruits were cheerful, talked of being exchanged and of
fighting again in the war, but the great majority marched in silence and
gloom. They felt that they had wasted themselves. They had marched into
a trap, which the Mexicans were able to close upon them before they
could strike a single blow for Texas. Now they were herded like cattle
being driven to a stable.

They reached the town of Goliad, and the Mexican women and children,
rejoicing in the triumph of their men, came out to meet them, uttering
many shrill cries as they chattered to one