might keep in good
shape until he gets it. Here's more beef soup for you, Ned. You'll find
it mighty fine for buildin' up."

Two or three hours after they started that day they came to a large
trail, and, when they followed it a little while, they found that it was
made by Mexicans marching south, but whether they belonged to the main
force under Santa Anna or that under Urrea they could not tell.

It was evident that the northern road was full of dangers and they rode
for the coast. Several small Texan vessels were flitting around the
gulf, now and then entering obscure bays and landing arms, ammunition
and recruits for he cause. Both Smith and Karnes were of the opinion
that they might find a schooner or sloop, and they resolved to try for
it.

They reached, the next day, country that had not been ravaged by the
troops of Santa Anna, and passed one or two tiny settlements, where they
told the news of Goliad. The Panther, Smith and Karnes were well known
to all the Texans, and they learned in the last of these villages that a
schooner was expected in a cove about forty miles up the coast. It would
undoubtedly put in at night, and it would certainly arrive in two or
three days. They thought it was coming from New Orleans.

The little party decided to ride for the cove, and meet the schooner if
possible. They could reach it in another day and night, and they would
await the landing.

"We've got good friends in New Orleans," said Smith, as they rode over
the prairie. "You'll remember the merchant, John Roylston. He's for us
heart and soul, an' I've no doubt that he's sendin' us help."

"All the Texans owe him a debt," said Ned, "and I owe him most of all.
His name saved my life, when I was taken at San Antonio. It had weight
with Santa Anna, and it might have had weight with him, too, at Goliad,
had he been there."

They rode steadily all the next day. Their horses were tough mustangs of
the best quality, and showed no signs of weariness. They passed through
a beautiful country of light rolling prairie, interspersed with fine
forest. The soil was deep and rich, and the foliage was already in its
tenderest spring green. Soft, warm airs swept up from the gulf. Five of
the riders felt elation, and talked cheerfully. But Ned maintained a
somber silence. The scenes of Goliad were still too vivid for him to
rejoice over anything. The others understood, and respected his silence.

They camped that night as usual in the