xt71jw86hm46 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt71jw86hm46/data/mets.xml Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919. 19411913  books b92-172-30119848 English Appleton-Century-Crofts, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Texas Fiction. Texan scouts  : the story of the Alamo and Goliad / Joseph A. Altsheler. text Texan scouts  : the story of the Alamo and Goliad / Joseph A. Altsheler. 1941 2002 true xt71jw86hm46 section xt71jw86hm46 THE TEXAN
S COU-TS

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THE TEXAN



SCOUTS

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THE



TEXAN



SCOUTS



A STORY OF THE ALAMO AND GOLIAD


             BY
   JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
           AUTHOR OF
    ha: TEXAN STAR," "THE QUEST OF TUX FOOD.,"
       THE SCOUTS OF T'E VALLET" aDc.



APPLETON-CENTURY-CROFTS, INC.
            NEW YORK

 
























         COPRIGHT, 1913, BY
  D. APPLETON AND COMPANY




All rights reserved. This book, or parts
thereof, must not be reproduced in any
form without permission of the publishers.















Copyright, 1941, by Sallie B. Altsheler
Printed in the United States of America

 





















                 FOREWORD


 "THE TEXAN SCOUTS," WHILE A COMPLETE STORY IN ITSELF,
 CONTINUES THE FORTUNES OF NED FULTON AND HIS FRIENDS,
WHO WERE THE CENTRAL CHARACTERS IN "THE TEXAN STAR."

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CONTENTS



IN THE STORM  .
THE CAPTIVES  .
THE FIGHT WITH URREA
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
SANTA ANNA'S ADVANCE
FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE
THE HERALD OF ATTACK
IN THE ALAMO  .
THE FLAG OF No QUARTER
CROCKETT AND BOWIE
THE DESPERATE DEFENCE
BEFORE THilE DICTATOR
TO THE LAST MAN .
TILE NEWS OF THE FALL
IN ANOTHER TRAP .
FANNIN'S CAMP . .
THE SAD SURRENDER
THE BLACK TRAGEDY
THE RACE FOR TIHE BOAT
THE CRY FOR VENGEANCE



CRAPTKX
    I.
    II.
    III.
    IV.
    V.
    VI.
  VII.
  VIII.
  IX.
  X.
  XI.
  XII.
  XIII.
  XIV.
  XV.
  XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
  XX.



           I
         20
         37
.... .........56
          78
          97
          113
          129
          146
          i6i
      . 178
         I98
         219
         243
      .  26i
         281
         298
         3I8
         330
         351

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THE TEXAN SCOUTS


                    CHAPTER I

                  IN THE STORM

T-     HE horseman rode slowly toward the west, stop-
        ping once or twice to examine the wide circle of
        the horizon with eyes that were trained to note
every aspect of the wilderness. On his right the plains
melted away in gentle swell after swell, until they met
the horizon. Their brown surface was broken only by
the spiked and thorny cactus and stray bits of chaparral.
  On his left was the wide bed of a river which flowed
through the sand, breaking here and there into several
streams, and then reuniting, only to scatter its volume
a hundred yards further into three or four channels. A
bird of prey flew on strong wing over the water, dipped
and then rose again, but there was no other sign of life.
Beyond, the country southward rolled away, gray and
bare, sterile and desolate.
  The horseman looked most often into the south. His
glances into the north were few and brief, but his eyes
dwelled long on the lonely land that lay beyond the
yellow current. His was an attractive face. He was
young, only a boy, but the brow was broad and high,
and the eyes, grave and steady, were those of one who
thought much. He was clad completely in buckskin, and
his hat was wide of brim. A rifle held in one hand lay
                         I

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



across the pommel of his saddle and there were weapons
in his belt. Two light, but warm, blankets, folded closely,
were tied behind him. The tanned face and the lithe,
strong figure showed a wonderful degree of health and
strength.
  Several hours passed and the horseman rode on stead-
ily though slowly. His main direction was toward the
west, and always he kept the river two or three hun-
dred yards on his left. He never failed to search the
plains on either side, but chiefly in the south, with the
eager, intent gaze that missed nothing. But the lone-
some gray land, cut by the coiling yellow river, still rolled
before him, and its desolation and chill struck to his
heart. It was the depth of the Texan winter, and, at
times, icy gusts, born in far mountains, swept across the
plains.
  The rider presently turned his horse toward the river
and stopped on a low bluff overlooking it. His face
showed a tinge of disappointment, as if his eyes failed
to find objects for which they sought. Again he gazed
long and patiently into the south, but without reward.
  He resumed his ride parallel with the river, but soon
stopped a second time, and held up an open hand, like
one who tests the wind. The air was growing percep-
tibly colder. The strong gusts were now fusing into a
steady wind. The day, which had not been bright at
any time, was turning darker. The sun was gone and
in the far north banks of mists and vapor were gather-
ing. A dreary moaning came over the plain.
  Ned Fulton, tried and brave though he was, beheld
the omens with alarm. He knew what they portended,
and in all that vast wilderness he was alone. Not a
human being to share the danger with him! Not a hand
to help!



2

 


IN THE STORM



  He looked for chaparral, something that might serve
as a sort of shelter, but he had left the last clump of it
behind, and now he turned and rode directly north, hop-
ing that he might find some deep depression between
the swells where he and his horse, in a fashion, could
hide.
  Meanwhile the Norther came down with astonishing
speed. The temperature fell like a plummet. The moan
of the wind rose to a shriek, and cold clouds of dust
were swept against Ned and his horse. Then snow
mingled with the dust and both beat upon them. Ned
felt his horse shivering under him, and he shivered, too,
despite his will. It had turned so dark that he could no
longer tell where he was going, and he used the wide
brim of his hat to protect himself from the sand.
  Soon it was black as night, and the snow was driving
in a hurricane. The wind, unchecked by forest or hill,
screamed with a sound almost human. Ned dismounted
and walked in the lee of his horse. The animal turned
his head and nuzzled his master, as if he could give him
warmth.
  Ned hoped that the storm would blow itself out in an
hour or two, but his hope was vain. The darkness did
not abate. The wind rose instead of falling, and the
snow thickened. It lay on the plain several inches deep,
and the walking grew harder. At last the two, the boy
and the horse, stopped. Ned knew that they had come
into some kind of a depression, and the full force of the
hurricane passed partly over their heads.
  It was yet very dark, and the driving snow scarcely
permitted him to open his eyes, but by feeling about a
little he found that one side of the dip was covered with
a growth of dwarf bushes. He led the horse into the
lower edge of these, where some protection was secured,



3

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



and, crouching once more in the lee of the animal, he un-
folded the two blankets, which he wrapped closely about
himself to the eyes.
  Ned, for the first time since the Norther rushed down
upon him, felt secure. He would not freeze to death,
he would escape the fate that sometimes overtook lone
hunters or travelers upon those vast plains. Warmth
from the blankets began gradually to replace the chill
in his bones, and the horse and the bushes together pro-
tected his face from the driven snow which had been
cutting like hail. He even had, in some degree, the
sense of comfort which one feels when safe inside four
walls with a storm raging past the windows. The horse
whinnied once and rubbed his nose against Ned's hand.
He, too, had ceased to shiver.
  All that afternoon the Norther blew with undimin-
ished violence. After a while the fall of snow thinned
somewhat, but the wind did not decrease. Ned was de-
voutly thankful for the (lip and the bushes that grew
within it. Nor was he less thankful for the companion-
ship of his horse. It was a good horse, a brave horse,
a great bay mustang, built powerfully and with sinews
and muscles of steel. He had secured him just after
taking part in the capture of San Antonio with his com-
rades, Obed White and the Ring Tailed Panther, and
already the tie between horse and rider had become
strong and enduring. Ned stroked him again, and the
horse, twisting his neck around, thrust his nose under
his arm.
  'Good old boy! Good fellow !" said Ned, pinching his
ear. "We were lucky, you and I, to find this place."
  The horse neighed ever so gently, and rubbed his nose
up and down. After a while the darkness began to in-
crease. Ned knew that it was not a new development of



4

 


IN THE STORM



the storm, but the coming of night, and he grew anxious
again. He and his horse, however secure at the present
moment, could not stay always in that dip among the
bushes. Yet he did not dare to leave it. Above on the
plain they would receive the full sweep of the wind,
which was still bitterly cold.
  He was worn by the continued buffetings of blast and
snow, but he did not dare to lie down, even in the
blankets, lest he never wake again, and while he con-
sidered he saw darker shadows in the darkness above
him. He gazed, all attention, and counted ten shadows,
following one another, a dusky file. He knew by the
set of their figures, short and stocky, that they were
Mexicans, and his heart beat heavily. These were the
first Mexicans that any one had seen on Texan soil since
the departure of Cos and his army on parole from cap-
tured San Antonio. So the Mexicans had come back,
and no doubt they would return in great force!
  Ned crouched lower, and he was very glad that the
nose of the horse was still under his arm. He would not
have a chance to whinny to his kind that bore the Mexi-
cans. But the horse made no attempt to move, and Ned
watched them pass on and out of sight. He had not
heard the sound of footsteps or voices above the wind,
and after they were gone it seemed to him that he had
seen a line of phantoms.
  But he was sure that his own mortal eyes had be-
held that for which he was looking. He and his com-
rades had been watching the Rio Grande to see whether
the Mexicans had crossed, and now he at least knew it.
  He waited patiently three or four hours longer, until
the wind died and the fall of snow ceased, when he
mounted his horse and rode out of the dip. The wind
suddenly sDrang up again in about fifteen minutes, but



5

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



now it blew from the south and was warm. The dark-
ness thinned away as the moon and stars came out in a
perfect sky of southern blue. The temperature rose
many degrees in an hour and Ned knew that the snow
would melt fast. All danger of freezing was past, but
he was as hungry as a bear and tired to death.
  He unwrapped the blankets from his body, folded them
again in a small package which he made fast to his
saddle, and once more stroked the nose of his horse.
  "Good Old Jack," he murmured-he had called him
Old Jack after Andrew Jackson, then a mighty hero of
the south and west, "you passed through the ordeal and
never moved, like the silent gentleman that you are."
  Old Jack whinnied ever so softly, and rubbed his nose
against the boy's coat sleeve. Ned mounted him and
rode out of the dip, pausing at the top of the swell for
a long look in every direction. The night was now peace-
ful and there was no noise, save for the warm wind that
blew out of the south with a gentle sighing sound al
most like the note of music. Trickles of water from thu
snow, already melting, ran down the crests. Lightei
and lighter grew the sky. The moon seemed to Ned to
be poised directly overhead, and close by. New stars
were springing out as the last clouds floated away.
  Ned sought shelter, warmth and a place in which to
sleep, and to secure these three he felt that he must seek
timber. The scouts whom he had seen were probably
the only Mexicans north of the Rio Grande, and, as he
believed, there was not one chance in a thousand of
meeting such enemies again. If he should be so lucky
as to find shelter he would sleep there without fear.
  He rode almost due north for more than two hours,
seeing patches of chaparral on both right and left. But,
grown fastidious now and not thinking them sufficient



6

 


IN THE STORM



for his purpose, he continued his northern course. Old
Jack's feet made a deep sighing sound as they sank in
the snow, and now there was water everywhere as that
soft but conquering south wind blew steadily over the
plain.
  When he saw a growth of timber rising high and dark
upon a swell he believed that he had found his place, and
he urged his horse to renewed speed. The trees proved
to be pecans, aspens and oaks growing so densely that
he was compelled to dismount and lead Old Jack before
they could force an entrance. Inside he found a clear
space, somewhat like the openings of the north, in shape
an irregular circle, but not more than fifteen feet across.
Great spreading boughs of oaks had protected it so well
that but little snow had fallen there, and that little had
melted. Already the ground in the circle was drying.
  Ned uttered an exclamation of relief and gratitude.
This would be his camp, and to one used to living in the
wilderness it furnished good shelter. At one edge of the
opening was an outcropping of flat rock now quite dry,
and there he would spread his bed. He unsaddled and
unbridled his horse, merely tethering him with a lariat,
and spread the horse blanket upon the flat rock. He
would lie upon this and cover himself with his own
blankets, using the saddle as a pillow.
  But the security of the covert tempted the boy, who
was now as hungry as a bear just come from winter
quarters. le felt weak and relaxed after his long hours
in the snow and storm, and he resolved to have warm
food and drink.
  There was much fallen wood among the trees, and with
his strong hunting knife he whittled off the bark and
thin dry shavings until he had a fine heap. Working
long with flint and steel, he managed to set fire to the

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



shavings, and then he fed the flames with larger pieces
of wood until he had a great bed of glowing coals. A
cautious wilderness rover, learning always from his tried
friends, Ned never rode the plains without his traveling
equipment, and now he drew from his pack a small tin
coffee pot and tiny cup of the same material. Then with
quick and skillful hands he made coffee over the coals
and warmed strips of deer and buffalo meat.
  He ate and drank hungrily, while the horse nibbled
the grass that grew within the covert. Glorious warmth
came again and the worn feeling departed. Life, youth-
ful, fresh and abounding, swelled in every vein.
  He now put out all the coals carefully, throwing wet
leaves upon them, in order that not a single spark might
shine through the trees to be seen by an enemy upon the
plain. He relied upon the horse to give warning of a
possible approach by man, and to keep away wolves.
  Then he made his bed upon the rock, doing every-
thing as he had arranged it in his mind an hour before,
and, wrapped in his blankets, fell into the soundest of
sleeps. The south wind still blew steadily, playing a low
musical song among the trees. The beads of water on
the twigs and the few leaves that remained dried fast.
The grass dried, too, and beyond the covert the snow,
so quick to come, was equally quick to go.
  The horse ceased to nibble the grass, looked at the
sleeping boy, touched his blankets lightly with his nose,
and walked to the other side of the opening, where he
lay down and went to his own horse heaven of sleep.
  It was not many hours until day and Old Jack was a
light sleeper. When he opened his eyes again he saw a
clear and beautiful winter day of the far south. The
only clouds in the sky were little drifting bits of fine
white wool, and the warm wind still blew. Old Jack,



8

 


IN THE STORM



who was in reality Young Jack, as his years were not
yet four, did not think so much of the covert now, as he
had already eaten away all the grass within the little
opening but his sense of duty was strong. He saw that
his human master and comrade still slept, apparently
with no intention of awakening at any very early date,
and he set himself to gleaning stray blades of grass that
might have escaped his notice the night before.
  Ned awoke a little after the noon hour, and sprang to
his feet in dismay. The sun was almost directly over
his head, showing him how late it was. He looked at his
horse as if to reproach his good comrade for not waking
him sooner, but Old Jack's large mild eyes gave him
such a gaze of benignant unconcern that the boy was
ashamed of himself.
  "It certainly was not your fault," he said to his horse,
"and, after all, it probably doesn't matter. We've had
a long sound sleep and rest, and I've no doubt that both
of us will profit by it. Nothing seems to be left in here
for you to eat, but I'll take a little breakfast myself."
  He did not relight the fire, but contented himself with
cold food. Then resaddling, he left the grove and rode
northward again until he came to a hill, or, rather, a
swell, that was higher than the rest. Here he stopped
his horse and took a glance at the sun, which was shin-
ing with uncommon brilliancy. Then he produced a
small mirror from the pocket of his hunting shirt and
held it in such a position that it ma(le a focus of the
sun's rays, throwing them in a perfect blazing lance
of light.
  He turned the flaming lance around the horizon, until
it completed the circle and then he started around with
it again. Meantime he was keeping a close watch upon
every high point. A hill rose in the north, and he looked



9

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



at it longest, but nothing came from it. There was an-
other, but lower, hill in the west, and before he had
completed the second round with his glass a light flashed
from it. It was a brilliant light, almost like a sheaf of
white incandescent rays. He lowered his own mirror
and the light played directly upon his hill. When it
ceased he sent back answering rays, to which, when he
stopped, a rejoinder came in like fashion. Then he put
the little mirror back in the safe pocket of his hunting
shirt and rode with perfect confidence toward that west-
ern hill.
  The crest that Ned sought was several miles away,
although it looked much nearer in the thin clear air of
the plains, but he rode now at increased speed, because
there was much to draw him on. Old Jack seemed to
share in his lightness of spirit, raising his head once
and neighing, as if he were sending forth a welcome.
  The boy soon saw two figures upon the hill, the shapes
of horse and man, outlined in black against the sun,
which was now declining in the west. They were mo-
tionless and they were exaggerated into gigantic stature
against the red background. Ned knew them, although
the distance was far too great to disclose any feature.
But signal had spoken truly to signal, and that was
enough. Old Jack made a f resh burst of speed and
presently neighed once more. An answering neigh came
back from the hill.
  Ned rode up the slope and greeted Obed White and
the Ring Tailed Panther with outstretched hands.
  "And it's you, my boy," said Obed, his eyes glistening.
"Until we saw your signal we were afraid that you might
have frozen to death in the Norther, but it's a long lane
that has no happy ending, and here we are, all three of
us, alive, and as well as ever."



to

 


IN THE STORM



  "That's so," said the Panther, "but even when the
storm was at its worst I didn't give up, Ned. Somehow,
when things are at the blackest I'm always hopin'. I
don't take any credit fur it. I was just born with that
kind of a streak in me."
  Ned regarded him with admiration. The Ring Tailed
Panther was certainly a gorgeous object. He rode a
great black horse with a flowing mane. He was clad
completely in a suit of buckskin which was probably
without a match on the border. It and his moccasins
were adorned with thick rows of beads of many colors,
that glittered and flashed as the sunlight played upon
them. Heavy silver spurs were fastened to his heels,
and his hat of broad brim and high cone in the Mexican
fashion was heavy with silver braid. His saddle also
was of the high, peaked style, studded with silver. The
Panther noticed Ned's smile of appraisement and smiled
back.
  "Ain't it fine " he said. "I guess this is about the
beautifullest outfit to be found in either Texas or Mexico.
I bought it all in honor of our victory just after we took
San Antonio, and it soothes my eyes and makes my heart
strong every time I look at it."
  "And it helps out the prairies," said Obed White, his
eyes twinkling. "Now that winter has made 'em brown,
they need a dash of color and the Panther gives it to 'em.
Fine feathers don't keep a man from being a man for a'
that. What did you do in the storm, Ned"
  "I found shelter in a thick grove, managed to light a
fire, and slept there in my blankets."
  "We did about the same."
  "But I saw something before I reached my shelter."
  "What was that" exclaimed the two, noting the sig-
nificance in Ned's tone.



I I

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



  "While I was waiting in a dip I saw ten Mexican
horsemen ride by. They were heavily armed, and I've
no doubt they were scouts belonging to some strong
force."
  "And so they are back on this side of the Rio Grande,"
said Obed White thoughtfully. "I'm not surprised. Our
Texans have rejoiced too early. The full storm has not
burst yet."
  The Panther began to bristle. A giant in size, he
seemed to grow larger, and his gorgeous hunting suit
strained at the seams.
  "Let 'em come on," he said menacingly. "Let Santa
Anna himself lead 'em. We Texans can take care of
'em all."
  But Obed White shook his head sadly.
  "We could if we were united," he said, "but our lead-
ers have taken to squabbling. You're a Cheerful Talker,
Panther, and you deserve both your names, but to tell
you the honest truth I'm afraid of the Mexican advance."
  "I think the Mexicans probably belonged to Urrea's
band," said Ned.
  "Very likely," said Obed. "He's about the most ener-
getic of their partisan leaders, and it may be that we'll
run against him pretty soon."
  They had heard in their scouting along the Rio Grande
that young Francisco Urrea, after the discovery that he
was a spy and his withdrawal from San Antonio with
the captured army of Cos, had organized a strong force
of horsemen and was foremost among those who were
urging a new Mexican advance into Texas.
  "It's pretty far west for the Mexicans," said the Pan-
ther. "We're on the edge of the Indian country here."
  But Obed considered it all the more likely that Urrea,
if he meditated a raid, would come from the west,



12

 


IN THE STORM  



since his approach at that point would be suspected
the least. The three held a brief discussion and soon
came to an agreement.    They would continue their
own ride west and look for Urrea. Having decided
so, they went into the task heart and soul, despite its
dangers.
  The three rode side by side and three pairs of skilled
eyes examined the plain. The snow was left only in
sheltered places or among the trees. But the further
they went the scarcer became the trees, and before night
they disappeared entirely.
  "We are comin' upon the buffalo range," said the
Panther. "A hundred miles further west we'd be likely
to strike big herds. When we're through fightin' the
Mexicans I'm goin' out there again. It's the life fur me."
  The night came, dark and cold, but fortunately without
wind. They camped in a dip and did not light any fire,
lying as Ned had done the night before on their horse
blankets and wrapping themselves in their own. The
three horses seemed to be contented with one another
and made no noise.
  They deemed it wise now to keep a watch, as they
might be near Urrea's band or Lipans might pass, and
te Panther, who said he was not sleepy at all, became
sentinel. Ned, although he had not risen until noon, was
sleepy again from the long ride, and his eyes closed soon.
The last object that he saw was the Panther standing on
the crest of the swell just beyond them, rifle on shoulder,
watching the moonlit plains. Obed White was asleep
already.
  The Panther walked back and forth a few times and
then looked down at his comrades in the (lip.   His
trained eyes saw their chests rising and falling, and he
knew that they were far away in the land of Nowhere.



13

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



Then he extended his walk back and forth a little further,
scanning carefully the dusky plain.
  A light wind sprang up after a while, and it brought a
low but heavy and measured tread to his ears. The
Panther's first impulse was to awaken his friends, be-
cause this might be the band of Urrea, but he hesitated
a moment, and then lay down with his ear to the earth.
When he rose his uneasiness had departed and he re-
sumed his walk back and forth. He had heard that
tread before many times and, now that it was coming
nearer, he could not mistake it, but, as the measured
beat indicated that it would pass to one side, it bore no
threat for his comrades or himself.
  The Panther did not stop his walk as from a distance
of a few hundred yards he watched the great buffalo herd
go by. The sound was so steady and regular that Ned
and Obed were not awakened nor were the horses dis-
turbed. The buffaloes showed a great black mass across
the plain, extending for fully a mile, and they were mov-
ing north at an even gait. The Panther watched until
the last had passed, and he judged that there were fully
a hundred thousand animals in the herd. He saw also
the big timber wolves hanging on the rear and flanks,
ready to cut out stray calves or those weak from old age.
So busy were the wolves seeking a chance that they did
not notice the gigantic figure of the man, rifle on shoul-
der, who stood on the crest of the swell looking at them
as they passed.
  The Panther's eyes followed the black line of the herd
until it disappeared under the northern rim of darkness.
He was wondering why the buffaloes were traveling so
steadily after daylight and he came to the conclusion that
the impelling motive was not a search for new pastures.
He listened a long time until the last rumble of the hun-



14

 


IN THE STORM



dred thousand died away in a faint echo, and then he
awakened his comrades.
  "I'm thinkin'," he said, "that the presence of Urrea's
band made the buffaloes move. Now I'm not a Ring
Tailed Panther an' a Cheerful Talker for nothin', an' we
want to hunt that band. Like as not they've been doin'
some mischief, which we may be able partly to undo.
I'm in favor of ridin' south, back on the herd track an'
lookin' for em."
  "So am I," said Obed White. "My watch says it's
one o'clock in the morning, and my watch is always
right, because I made it myself. \We've had a pretty
good rest, enough to go on, and what we find may be
worth finding. A needle in a haystack may be well hid,
but you'll find it if you look long enough."
  They rode almost due south in the great path made
by the buffalo herd, not stopping for a full two hours
when a halt was made at a signal f rom the Panther.
They were in a wide plain, where buffalo grass yet grew
despite the winter, and the Panther said with authority
that the herd had been grazing here before it was started
on its night journey into the north.
  "An' if we ride about this place long enough," he said,
"we'll find the reason why the buffaloes left it."
  He turned his horse in a circuit of the plain and Ned
and Obed followed the matchless tracker, who was able,
even in the moonlight, to note any disturbance of the
soil. Presently he uttered a little cry and pointed ahead.
Both saw the skeleton of a buffalo which evidently
had been killed not long and stripped of its meat.
A little further on they saw another and then two
more.
  "That tells it," said the Panther succinctly. "These
buffaloes were killed for food an' most likely by Mexi-



15

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



cans. It was the shots that set the herd to runnin'. The
men who killed 'em are not far away, an' I'm not a Ring
Tailed Panther an' a Cheerful Talker if they don't belong
to Urrea's band."
  "Isn't that a light" said Ned, pointing to the west,
"or is it a firefly or something of the kind"
  A glowing spark was just visible over the plain, but as
it neither moved nor went out the three concluded that
it was made by a distant fire.
  "I think it's in chaparral or among trees," said Obed,
"or we would see it more plainly. It's a poor camp fire
that hides its light under a bushel."
  "I think you're right an' it must be chaparral," said
the Panther. "But we'll ride toward it an' soon an1swer
our own questions."
  The light was more than a mile away and, as they ad-
vanced slowly, they saw it grow in size and intensity.
It was surely a campfire, but no sound that they could
yet hear came from it. They did not expect to hear any.
If it was indeed Urrea and his men they would probably
be sleeping soundly, not expecting any foe to be near.
The Panther now dismounted, and the other two did
likewise.
  "No need to show too high above the plain," he said,
"an' if we have to run it won't take a second to jump
back on our horses."
  Ned did not take the bridle of his horse as the others
did. He knew that Old Jack would follow as faithful as
any dog to his master, and he was right. As they ad-
vanced slowly the velvet nose more than once pressed
trustfully against his elbow.
  They saw now that an extensive growth of chaparral
rose before them, from the center of which the light
seemed to be shining. The Panther lay down on tb'



i6

 


IN THE STORM



prairie, put his ear to the ground, and listened a long
time.
   "I think I hear the feet of horses movin' now an'
then," he said, "an' if so, one of us had better stay behin'
with ours. A horse of theirs might neigh an' a horse
of ours might answer. You can't tell. Obed, I guess
it'll be for you to stay. You've got a most soothin' dis-
position with animals."
  "All right," said Obed philosophically, "i'd rather go
on, but, if it's better for me to stay, I'll stay. They also
serve who stand and hold the reins. If you find you've
got to leave in a hurry I'll be here waiting."
  He gathered up the reins of the three horses and re-
mained quietly on the plain, while Ned and the Panther
went forward, making straight for the light.
  When they came to the edge of the chaparral they
knelt among the bushes and listened. Now both dis-
tinctly heard the occasional movement of horses, and
they saw the dusky outlines of several figures before the
fire, which was about three hundred yards away.
  "They are bound to be Mexicans," whispered the
Panther, " 'cause there are no Texans in this part of the
country, an' you an' me, Ned., must find out just who
they are."
  "You lead the way, Panther," said Ned. "I'll follow
wherever you go."
  "Then be mighty careful. Look out for the thorns
an' don't knock your rifle against any bush."
  The Panther lay almost flat. His huge figure seemed
to blend with the earth, and he crept forward among the
thorny bushes with amazing skill. He was like some
large animal, trained for countless generations to slip
through thickets. Ned, just behind him, could hear only
the faintest noise, and the bushes moved so little that



17

 



THE TEXAN SCOUTS



one, not knowing, might have credited it to the wind.
   The boy had the advantage of following in the path
made by the man's larger figure, and he, too, was suc-
cessful in making no sound. But he could hear the
stamp of horses' feet clearly now, and both to left and
right he caught glimpses of them tethered in the thickets.
His comrade stopped at last. They were not more than
a hundred yards f rom the fire now, and the space in
front of them was mostly open. The Panther, crouching
among the bushes, raised his finger slowly and pointed
toward the fire.
  Ned, who had moved to one side, followed the point-
ing finger and saw Urrea. He was the dominant figure
in a group of six or seven gathered about the flames.
He was no longer in any disguise, but wore an officer's
gorgeous uniform of white and silver. A splendid cocked
hat was on his head, and a small gold hilted rapier
swung by his side.
  It may have been partly the effect of t' e night and