 Chapter 19 of The Texan Scouts. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kevin Laverne. The Texan Scouts. By Joseph A. Altsheller. Chapter 19. The Race for the Boat. Five men, or rather four men and a boy, rode down the banks of the San Antonio, always taking care to keep well in the shelter of the timber. All the men were remarkable in figure, and at least three of them were of a fame that had spread to every corner of Texas. The one who rode slightly in advance was of gigantic build, enormously thick through the shoulders and chest. He was dressed in brightly dyed deerskin, and there were many fanciful touches about his border costume. The others also wore deerskin, but theirs was of soberer hue. The man was Martin Palmer, far better known as the panther, or as he loved to call himself, the ring-tailed panther. His comrades were Def Smith, Henry Carnes, Obed White, and Will Allen. They were not a very cheerful five, riding as freelances because there was now practically no organized authority among the Texans. They had been scouting the day before toward Goliad. They had learned that Fanon and his men had been taken, and they had sought also to discover what the Mexican generals meant to do with the troops. But the Mexican patrols had been so numerous and strong that they could not get close enough to Goliad. Early in the morning while in the timber by the river they had heard the sound of heavy firing near Goliad, which continued for some time, but they had not been able to fathom its meaning. They concluded finally that a portion of Fanon's men must have been still holding out in some old building of Goliad, and that this was the last stand. They made another effort to get closer to the town, but they were soon compelled to turn back and again they sought the thickest timber along the river. Now they were riding back in the hope of finding some Texan detachment with which they could cooperate. If we keep hunting, we ought to find somebody who can tell us something," said the panther. It's a long lane that has no news at the end, said Obed White with an attempt at buoyancy. That's so, said Def Smith. We're bound to hit a trail somehow and somewhere. We heard that Fanon's men had surrendered, and then we heard that firing. But I guess that they wouldn't give up without making good terms for themselves else they would have held out as the boys did in the Alamo. Ah, the Alamo, said Obed White. His face clouded at the words. He was thinking then of the gallant youth who had escaped with him from the dungeon under the sea in the castle of San Juan de Ulua, and who had been his comrade in the long and perilous flight through Mexico into Texas. The heart of the main man, alone in the world, had turned strongly to Ned Fulton, and mourning him as one dead he also mourned him as a son. But as he rarely talked of the things that affected him most, he seldom mentioned Ned. The panther was less restrained. We've got a big score to settle for the Alamo, he said. Some good friends of mine went down forever in that old mission, and there was that boy, Ned Fulton. I suppose it ain't so bad to be cut off when you're old, and you've had most of your life, but it does look bad for a strong, fine boy just turning into a man to come straight up against the dead wall. Will Allen said nothing, but unbidden water forced itself to his eyes. He and Ned had become the strongest of friends and comrades. After all that's been done to our people, said the panther, I feel like ripping and roaring and chowing the rest of my life. We'll have the chance to do all of it we want, judging from the way things are going, said Deathsmith. Then they relapsed into silence and rode on through the timber, going slowly as they were compelled to pick their way in the underbrush. It was now nearly noon, and a brilliant sun shone overhead, but the foliage of young spring was heavy on trees and bushes, and it gave them at the same time shade and shelter. As they rode, they watched everywhere for a trail. If either Texans or Mexicans had passed, they wanted to know why and when. They came at last to hoof prints in the soft bank of the river, indicating that horses, undoubtedly with men on their backs, had crossed here. The skilled trailers calculated the number at more than fifteen, perhaps more than twenty, and they followed their path across the timber and out upon the prairie. When the hoof prints were more clearly discernible in the grass, they saw that they had been made by unshod feet, and they were mystified, but they followed cautiously, or for two or three miles, when Deathsmith saw something gleaming by the track. He alighted and picked up a painted feather. It's simple now, he said. We've been following the trail of Indians. They wouldn't be in this part of the country lest they were helping the Mexicans, and I guess they were at Goliad leaving after the business there was finished. You'll write Death, said Carnes. That counts for the unshod hoofs. It ain't worthwhile for us to follow them any longer, so I guess we'd better turn back to the timber. Safety obviously demanded this course, and soon they were again in the forest riding near the San Antonio and down its stream. They struck the trail of a bear. Then they roused up a deer in the thickets, but Big Game had no attention for them now, and they went on leaving bear and deer in peace. Then the sharp eyes of the panther saw the print of a human foot on the riverbank. He soon saw three or four more such traces leading into the forest where the trail was lost. The five gathered around the imprints in the earth and debated their meaning. It was evident even to Will Allen that someone without a horse had swum the river at that point and had climbed up the bank. They could see the traces lower down where he had emerged from the water. I figure it this way, said the panther. People don't go travelling through this country except on horses, and this fella, whoever he is, didn't have any horse as we all can see as plain as day. And in such times as these, said Death Smith, fellers don't go swimming rivers just for fun. The one that made these tracks was in a hurry, ain't that so hank? Of course he was, replied Carnes. He was getting away from somewhere and from somebody. That's why he swam the river. He wanted the San Antonio to separate him from them somebodies. And putting two and two and then two more together, said Obed White, we draw the conclusion that it is a fugitive, probably one of our own Texans who has escaped in some manner from his prison at Goliad. It's what we all think, said the panther, and now we'll beat up these thickets till we find him. He's sure to keep moving away from Goliad, and he's got sense to stay in the cover of the timber. The forest here ran back from the river three or four hundred yards, and the five, separating and moving up the stream, searched thoroughly. The hunt presently brought the panther and Obed White together again, and they expressed their disappointment at finding nothing. Then they heard a cry from Will Allen, who came galloping through the thickets, his face white and his eyes starting. I found Ned Fulton. He cried. He's lying here dead in the bushes. The panther and Obed stared in amazement. Will, exclaimed the panther, have you gone plumb crazy? Ned was killed at the Alamo. I tell you he is here, cried the boy who was shaking with excitement. I have just seen him. He was lying on his back in the bushes, and he did not move. Lead on, let's see what you have seen, said Obed, who began to share in the boy's excitement. The panther whistled, and Smith and Carnes joined them. Then, led by Will Allen, they rode swiftly through the bushes, coming forty or fifty yards away into a tiny grassy glade. It was either Ned Fulton or his ghost, and the panther, remembering the Alamo, took it for the latter. The cry of astonishment and rain in his horse, but Obed White leaped to the ground and ran to the prostrate figure. A miracle, he exclaimed, it's Ned Fulton, and he's alive! The others also sprang from their horses, and crowded around their youthful comrade, whom they had considered among the fallen of the Alamo. Ned was unconscious, his face was hot with fever, and his breathing was hard and irregular. How he escaped from the Alamo, and how he came here, we don't know, said Obed White solemnly. But there are lots of strange things in heaven and earth, as old Shakespeare said, and this is one of the strangest of them all. However it's happened, we're glad to get him back, said the panther, and now we must go to work. You can tell by looking at him that he's been through all kinds of trouble, and a powerful lot of it. These skilled borderers knew that Ned was suffering from exhaustion. They forced open his mouth, poured a drink down his throat from a flask that Carnes carried, and rubbed his hands vigorously. Ned, after a while, opened his eyes and looked at them dimly. He knew in a vague way that these were familiar faces, but he remembered nothing, and felt no surprise. Ned! Ned! Don't you know us? said Will Allen. We're your friends, and we found you lying here in the bush. The clouds slowly cleared away from Ned's mind, and it all came back. The terrible and treacherous slaughter of his unarmed comrades, his own flight through the timber, his swimming of the river, and then the blank. But these were his best friends. It was no fantasy. How and when they had come he did not know. But here they were in the flesh, Obed White, Will Allen, Deaf Smith, and Henry Carnes. Boys, he asked weekly, how did you find me? Now don't you try to talk yet a while, Ned? said Obed White, veiling his feeling under a whimsical tone. When people come back from the dead they don't always stay, and we want to keep you, as you're an enrolled member of this party. The news of your trip into the beyond will keep until we fix up something for you that will make you feel a lot stronger. These frontiersmen never rode without an outfit, and Smith produced a small skillet from his kit. The panther lighted a fire, Carnes chipped off some dried beef, and in a few minutes they had to find soup, which Ned ate with relish. He sat with his back against a tree and his strength returned rapidly. I guess you can talk now, Ned, said Obed White. You can tell us how you got away from the Alamo and where you've been all the time. Young Fulton's face clouded, and Obed White saw his hands tremble. It isn't the Alamo, he said. They died fighting there. It was Goliad. Goliad exclaimed Def Smith, what do you mean? I mean the slaughter, the massacre, all our men were led out. They were told that they were to go on patrol. Then the whole Mexican army opened fire upon us at a range of only a few yards, and the cavalry trod us down. We had no arms. We could not fight back. It was awful. I did not dream that such things could be. None of you will ever see what I've seen and none of you will ever go through what I've gone through. Ned, you've had a fever. It's a dream, said Obed White incredulous. It is no dream. I went through somehow and got to the timber. Maybe a few others escaped in the same way, but all the rest were murdered in cold blood. I know that Santa Anna ordered it. They knew perfectly well that Ned was telling the full truth and the faces of all of them darkened. The same thought was in the heart of everyone. Vengeance for the dead, but however intense was the thought it did not approach the feeling of Ned who had seen it all and had been through it all. I guess that was the firing we heard, said Smith, when we thought it was the boys making the last stand at Goliath. I tell you comrades, this means the freedom of Texas. No matter how the quarrel came about no people can stand such things. It's so, said the others together. They did not declaim. They were of a tribe that was not given much to words, and their own resolve to fight until no Mexicans were left in Texas would now be shared by every Texan. After Ned rested a while longer and ate more of the good soup he told the full story of the great and tragic scenes through which he had passed since he became separated from them. Seasoned as they were these men hung with breathless interest on every detail. He told them everything that had passed in the Alamo during the long days of the siege. He told of Crockett and Travis and of the final assault. The panther drew a deep breath when he finished that part of the story. They were certainly great men in the Alamo, them fellers, he said. And when my time comes to die, I believe I'd rather die that way than any other. Ned did not linger long over the tale of Goliath. He could not yet bear the detail repetition. I think we'd better make for the coast, said when he had finished. Our forces in the field are about wiped out and we've got to raise a new army of some kind. We can look for our government, too. It's wandering around trying to keep out of the hands of Santa Ana. We haven't any horse for you now, Ned, but you can ride behind Will Allen. Maybe we can get you a mount before long. They remained in the timber the rest of the day in order that Ned might recover sufficiently for the journey. About the middle of the afternoon they saw a dozen Mexican cavalrymen on the plane and they hoped that they would invade the timber. They were keyed to such a pitch of anger and hate that they would have welcomed a fight and they were more than confident of victory. But the Mexicans disappeared beyond the swells and every one of the men was disappointed. At night they began their march toward the north and continued almost until morning. Ned, riding behind Will Allen, scarcely spoke. Obed White then and afterward observed a great change in him. He seemed to have matured suddenly far beyond his years and Obed always felt that he had some unchanging purpose that had little to do with gentleness or mercy. They slept in the timber until about ten o'clock and then resumed their ride northward, still holding to the opinion that the peripatetic Texan government would be found at Harrisburg or somewhere in its vicinity. In the afternoon they encountered a Mexican force of eight mounted men and attacked with such a vigor that Ned and Will, riding double were never able to get into the fight. Two of the Mexicans fell and the rest got away. The Texans were unharmed. The Panther, after a chase, captured one of the horses and brought him back for Ned. They also secured the arms of the fallen Mexicans, one of these weapons being an American rifle, which Ned was quite sure had belonged to a slaughtered recruit at Goliad. They also found a letter in one of the Mexican haversacks. It was from General Urea to General Santa Ana, and the Panther and his comrades inferred from the direction in which its bearer had been riding that the dictator himself had left San Antonio and was marching eastward with the main Mexican army. I have to inform you, ran a part of the letter, that your orders in regard to the rebels at Goliad were carried out in my absence by the brave and most excellent Colonel Portilla. They were all executed, except a few who escaped under cover of the smoke to the timber. But our cavalrymen are sure to find in time every one of these and inflict upon them the justice that you have ordered. I shall march north expecting to meet your excellency and I trust that I shall have further good news to report to you. There are now no rebel forces worthy of the name. We shall sweep the country clean. I shall send detachments to take any Americans who may land at the ports and cooperating with you I feel assured also that we shall capture every member of the rebel government. In another month there will not be a single Texan in arms against us. Ned read the letter loud translating into English as he went and when he finished the Panther burst into a scornful laugh. So the rebels are all killed or about to be killed he said and there won't be one Texan in arms a month from now I'm willing to give my word that here are six of us who will be in arms then roaring and ripping and tarring they'll sweep the country clean will they? They'll need a bigger broom for that job than any that was ever made in Mexico. The others made comment like fashion but young Fulton was silent. His resolution was immutable and it required no words to assert it. I guess we'd better take this letter with us and give it to Sam Houston said Def Smith Houston has been criticized a lot for not gathering his forces together and attacking the Mexicans but he ain't had any forces to gather and talk has never been much good against cannonballs and bullets still he's the only man we've got to fall back on you keep the letter Def said the Panther and now that we've got a horse for Ned I guess we can go a little faster how you feeling now Ned? fine replied Ned don't you bother about me anymore I started on the upgrade the moment you fellas found me a good horse and a good rifle ought to be enough to bring back the strength to any Texan said Obed White they resumed their journey at a faster pace but before nightfall they met another Texan who informed them that large forces of Mexicans were now between them and Harrisburg hence they concluded that it was wiser to turn toward the coast and make a great circuit around the forces of Santa Ana but they told the Texan scout of what had been done at Goliad and bade him wave the torch of fire wherever he went he rode away with a face aghast at the news and they knew that he would soon spread it through the north as for themselves they rode rapidly toward the east they spent the night in a cluster of timber and the panther was fortunate enough to shoot a wild turkey they made Ned eat the tenderest parts and then seek sleep between blankets his fever was now gone but he was relaxed and weak it was a pleasant weakness however and secure in the comradeship of his friends he soon fell into a deep slumber which lasted all the night the others had planned an early start but as Ned was sleeping with such calm and peace they decided not to disturb him knowing how much he needed the rest it was three hours after sunrise when he awoke and he made many apologies but the rest only laughed what's the use of our hurrying said Def Smith it'll take some time for Sam Houston to get any army together and we might keep in good shape until he gets it here's more beef soup for you Ned you'll find it mighty fine for building 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 Ana or that under Urea 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 the cause both Smith and Carnes 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 Ana and passed one or two tiny settlements where they told the news of Goliad the panther, Smith and Carnes 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 40 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 Roylestone he's for us heart and soul and I've no doubt that he's sending 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 Ana 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 they had 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 thickest forest they could find and feeling that they were now too far east to be in any serious danger from the Mexicans they lighted a fire warmed their food and made coffee having replenished their supplies at the last settlement Obed White was the coffee maker heating it in a tin pot with a metal bottom they had only one cup which they used in turn but the warm food and drink were very grateful to them after their hard writing keeping in good condition is about three fourths of war said Obed in an irracular tone he who eats and runs away will live to eat another day besides Napoleon said that an army marched better on a full stomach or something like it that applied to infantry said Will Allen we march on our horses said Ned when we've beaten Santa Ana and driven all the Mexicans out of Texas I'm going back and hunt for Old Jack he and I are two good friends to part forever I found him after abandoning him the first time and I believe I can do it again after leaving him the second time of course you can said the panther cheerily Old Jack is a horse that will never stay lost now I think we'd better put out our fire and go to sleep so if any enemy comes all were soon slumbering peacefully in their blankets but Ned who had slept so much the night before awakened in two or three hours he believed at first that a distant sound had broken his sleep but when he sat up he heard nothing five dusky figures lay in a row near him they were those of his comrades and he heard their steady breathing certainly they slept well he lay down again but he remained wide awake and when his ear touched the ground he seemed to hear the faint and distant sound again he rose and looked at the horses they had not moved and it was quite evident that they had detected no hostile presence but Ned was not satisfied putting his rifle on his shoulder he slipped through the forest to the edge of the prairie long before he was there that he had not been deceived by fancy he saw two or three hundred yards in front of him a long file of cavalry marching over the prairie going swiftly and straight ahead as if bent upon some purpose well defined a good moon and abundant stars furnished plenty of light and Ned saw that the force was Mexican there were no lancers all the men carrying rifles or muskets and Ned believed that he recognized the younger Urella in the figure at their head he had seen the young Mexicans so often and in such vivid moments that there was no phase of pose or gesture that he could forget Ned watched the column until it was hidden by the swells it had never veered to either right or left and its course was the same as that of his comrades and himself he wondered a little while and then he felt a suspicion which quickly grew into a certainty Urella, a daring partisan leader who rode over great distances had heard of the schooner and its arms and was on his way to the Cove to seize them it was for Ned and his friends to prevent it he returned and awakening the others stated what he had seen then he added his surmise it's likely that you're guessing right said Deft Smith the Mexicans have spies of course and they get word too from Europeans in these parts who are not friendly to us what do you say boys all of you that Urella is bound for the same place we are, said Obed White that we've got to ride hard and fast, said the panther it's our business to get there first said Carnes let's take to the saddle now said Will Allen Ned said nothing they've given his opinion already they saddled their horses and were on the plane in five minutes riding directly in the trail of the Mexican cavalry they meant to follow until nearly dawn and then passing around hurried to the Cove where the schooner without their warning might be unloading supplies before nightfall into the very arms of the Mexicans before dawn they faintly saw the troop ahead and then turning to the left they put their mustangs into the long easy frontier, not slowing down until they were sure that they were at least three or four miles beyond the Mexicans but they continued at a fast walk and ate their breakfasts in the saddle they rode through the same beautiful country but without people and they knew that if nothing unusual occurred they would see the sea by noon Ned went over their directions once more the Cove ran back from the sea about a mile and its entrance was a straight further than 30 yards wide but deep in fact the entire Cove was deep being surrounded by high forested banks except at the west into which a narrow but deep creek emptied the only convenient landing was the creek's mouth and they believed that they would find the schooner there Ned in common with the others felt the great importance of the mission on which they rode most of the Texas cannon and a great part of their rifles were at the Alamo and Goliad but greater even than the need of arms was that of ammunition if Urea were able to seize the schooner or to take the supplies the moment after they landed he would strike the Texans a heavy blow hence the six now pushed their horses at ten o'clock they caught a glimpse of the sea upon their right five minutes later they saw a cloud of dust on their left less than a mile away it was moving rapidly and it was evident at once that it was made by a large body of horse when the dust lifted a little they saw that it was Urea and his men it's likely that they have more information than we have said the panther and they are riding hard to make a surprise boys we've got to beat them and to do it we've got to keep ahead of our dust all the time the greater the haste the greater the speed just now they're white they urged their horses into a gallop they kept close to the sea while Urea was more than half a mile inland luckily a thin skirt of timber soon intervened between Mexicans and Texans and the six believed that Urea and his men were unaware of their presence their own cloud of dust was much smaller than that of the Mexicans and also it might be readily mistaken for sea sand whipped up by the wind Ned and the panther rode in front side by side Smith and Carnes followed side by side too and behind came Obed White and Will Allen riding knee to knee they ascended a rise and Ned whose eyes were the keenest of them all uttered a little cry the schooner is there he exclaimed see isn't that the top of a mast sticking up above those scrub trees it's nothing else said Obed White who was familiar with the sea and ships and it's bound too to be the schooner for which we are looking forward boys the swift will win the race and the battle will go to the strong they pressed their horses now to their greatest speed the cove and the ship were not more than a half mile away a quarter of a mile and the skirt of timber failed the Mexicans on their left saw them and increased their speed the schooners anchored exclaimed Obed and they are unloading look part of the cargo is on the bank already with foot and rain they took the last ounce of speed from their horses and galloped up to a group of astonished men who were transferring arms and ammunition by small boats from a schooner to the land already more than a hundred rifles and a dozen barrels of powder on the shore back to the ship cried Ned who involuntarily took the lead we are Texans and a powerful force of Mexicans will be here inside of 15 minutes the men looked at him astonished and unbelieving Ned saw among them a figure clad and sober brown a man with a large head and a broad intellectual face with deep lines of thought he knew him at once and cried Mr. Roylston it is I Edward Fulton you know me and here are Captain Palmer Def Smith, Henry Carnes, Obed White and Will Allen I tell you that you have no time to lose put the supplies back on the schooner and be as quick as you can Captain Orea and 200 men are galloping fast to capture them Roylston started an astonishment at the appearance of Ned whom he too had believed to be dead but he wasted no time in questions he gave quick orders to have the arms and ammunition reloaded and directed the task himself the panther sprang from his horse and walked back to the edge of the wood here they come at a gallop he said and we need time boys hand me your rifles as I call for them and I'll show you how to shoot the panther did not mean to boast nor did the others take it as such he merely knew his own skill to use it do as he says said Def Smith to the others I reckon that as Davy Crockett is dead the panther is the best shot in all Texas the Mexican cavalry were coming at a gallop several hundred yards away the panther raised his long slender barreled rifle pulled the trigger and the first horseman fell from the saddle without turning he held out his hands and Smith thrust the second rifle into them up with the weapon and a second Mexican saddle was empty a third rifle and a third Mexican went down a fourth and the result was the same the whole Mexican troop appalled at such deadly shooting stopped suddenly keep it up panther keep it up cried Smith we need every minute of time that we can get while the Mexicans hesitated the panther sent another fatal bullet among them then they spread out swiftly in a thin half circle and advanced again all the six Texans now opened fire and they were also helped by some of the men from the boat but a part of the attacking force had gained cover and the fire was not now so effective nevertheless the rush of the Mexicans was checked and under the directions of Roylston the reloading of the schooner was proceeding rapidly they hoisted the last of the powder and rifles on the side and two of the boats were putting back for the defenders the schooner meanwhile had taken in her anchor and was unfurling her sails Roylston was in one of the boats and springing upon the bank he shouted to the defenders come lads the supplies are all back on board it's for your lives now all the men instantly abandoned the defense and rushed for the bank the panther uttering a groan of anger I hate to leave six good horses for the whole area and that gang he said but I suppose it has to be done don't grieve panther cried smith we'll take three for one later on hurry up hurry up said Roylston there is no time to waste into the boats all of you they scrambled into the boats reached the schooner and pulled the boats to the deck after them there was not a minute to lose the wind was beginning to move and the Mexicans were already firing at her although their bullets missed Ned and Will Allen threw themselves flat on the deck and heard the Mexican bullets humming over their heads Ned knew that they were still in great danger as it was a mile to the open sea and the Mexicans galloping along by the side of the cove had begun a heavy fire upon the schooner but the panther uttered a tremendous and joyous shout of defiance they can't hurt the ship as long as they ain't got cannon he said and since it's rifles only we'll give it back to them he and the other sharpshooters sheltering themselves began to rake the woods with rifle fire the Mexicans replied and the bullets peppered the wooden sides of the schooner or cut holes through her sails but the Texans now had the superiority they could shelter themselves on the ship and they were also so much better marksmen that they did much damage while suffering but little themselves the schooner presently passed between the headlands and then into the open sea she did not change her course until she was 8 or 10 miles from land when she turned northward end of chapter 19 recording by Kevin Laverne chapter 20 of the Texan Scouts this is the LibriVox recording while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the Texan Scouts by Joseph A. Altscheller chapter 20 the cry for vengeance as soon as the schooner was out of range Ned and his comrades stood up on the deck and looked back at the long low coastline which had offered to them so much danger at first they saw a Mexican horseman on the beach but as they went further and further out to see they disappeared strong wind hummed through the sails and the schooner healing over a little went swiftly northward leaving a long white wake Ned and his comrades sat on the benches that ran around the sides of the deck some of the rich brown color faded from the panther's face and his eyes looked a little bit uneasy I'm glad to be here he said glad to be out of reach of the Mexicans but I wish I was on something a lot steadier than this Obed White familiar with the waters of the main coast laughed this is just a spanking good breeze he said look how the waves dance let them dance said the panther and they could do my share of dancing too I never felt less like roaring and tearing and ripping in my life anyway we're getting a fine rest said Will Allen it's pleasant to be out here where nobody can suddenly drop on you from ambush the schooner made another curve to the eastward the water became smoother and the panthers qualms disappeared food and water were brought to them on deck and they ate and drank with good appetites then John Roylston who had gone below as soon as they were out of range reappeared who went directly to Ned shook hands with him with great energy and said in the tone of deep gratitude I had given you up for loss but you reappeared with your friends just in time to save the most valuable of all cargos for the Texans I should like to hear now how you rose from the dead because I had direct information that you were in the Alamo and I know that everybody there perished I come nevertheless as the bearer of bad news said Ned with goalie out fresh in his mind how's that then Ned told of the second time the dreadful deed done by order of Santa Ana it seemed to him as he told it that all the details were as vivid and terrible as ever his desire for range upon the dictator and the Mexicans had not diminished a particle Roylston's face usually a mask showed horror it was an off thing to do he said but it means now that Santa Ana will never conquer Texas no man can do such a deed and yet triumph now tell me how it is that you are not among the slain in the Alamo Ned related the story anew and he dwelt upon the fact that Santa Ana had spared him at the mention of Roylston's name but when the story was finished the merchant was silent for quite a while Ned knew by the contraction of the lines upon the great brow that he was thinking last he broke the silence no doubt you have wonder that my name had so much influence with Santa Ana he said I've hinted at it before I will explain more fully now I am as you know a merchant I trade throughout the whole southwest and I have ships in the Gulf in the Caribbean one of them the star of the south on which we now are can show her heels to anything in the seas earlier in my life I came in contact with Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana like many others I fell for a while under his spell I believe that he was a great and liberal man that he would even be able to pull Mexico out of her slough of misrule and ignorance I helped him in some of his young efforts this blended hacienda that he has near Vera Cruz was bought partly with money that I furnished but our friendship could not last vain ruthless cruel but with genius Santa Ana can have no friends except those whom he may use unless you submit unless you do everything that he wishes you are in his opinion a traitor to him a malfactor and an enemy to be crushed by trickery or force by fair means or foul how could I have continued dealings with such a man I soon saw that instead of being Mexico's best friend he was her worst enemy I drew away in time but barely I was in Mexico when the break came and he would have seized and imprisoned me or had me shot but I escaped in disguise I retained too a hold on Santa Ana that he has sought in vain to break such a man as he always needs money not a few thousands but great sums he has been thrifty the treasury of Mexico has been practically at his mercy but he does not trust the banks of his own land he has money not only in the foreign banks of Mexico but also large amounts of it in two of the great banks of London the English deposits stand as security for the heavy sums that he owes me his arm is long but it does not reach to London he cannot pay it present without putting himself in great difficulties and for the time being I wish the debt to stand it gives me a certain power over him although we are on opposite sides in a fierce war when you gave him my name in San Antonio he did not put you to death because he feared that I would seize his English money when I heard of him Correa has heard something of his debts he is devoted to Santa Ana and he knew that he would have rendered his chief in immense service if he could have secured his release from them that was what he tried to force from me when I was in his hands but you and your friend saved me you little thought Edward Fulton that you were then saving your own life also otherwise Santa Ana would have had you slain instantly when you were brought before him at San Antonio surely I know that man that he can be a terrible and cruel enemy as already proved to Texas the others listened with deep interest to every word spoken by Rolston when he was through the panther rose stretched his arms and expanded his mighty chest all the natural brown had returned to his cheeks and his eyes sparkled with the fire of confidence Mr. Rolston he said the hosts of our foe have come and they have devoured our people the locus ate up Egypt in the Bible but I think our worst days have passed we'll come back and we'll win yes said Ned I know as truly as if a prophet had told me that Will Square accounts with Santa Ana he spoke with such sudden emphasis that the others were startled his facing cut in stone at that moment he saw only the Alamo and Goliad the star of the south sped northward and Edward Fulton sat long on her deck dreaming of the day when the Texans himself in the first rank should come once more face to face with Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana End of Chapter 20 End of The Texan Scouts by Joseph A. Altscheller