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Updated: May 10, 2025
Ralph attempted to argue, but the Mexican officer would not listen, and soon they were in the saddle, riding side by side, and with the extra mustang behind. Captain Arguez had noted how the water was flowing in the ravine, and now he crossed the hollow, and struck out down the water-course, but on the opposite side to where the Texans had encamped.
The captured Mexican was questioned, and said the missing officer was Captain Arguez, from Santa Cruz. "He belongs to a most noble family," said the prisoner. "He will never give up." "He will if I lay my hands on him," said Amos Radbury, quietly. Both father and son were much worried over Ralph, and wondered what had become of him.
"Captain Arguez is convinced that your brother was a spy, and that you will help him if you can. It will, therefore, be safer for us to keep you here." This was all the satisfaction Ralph could get, and soon after he was marched away to the San Antonio jail, there to remain for some time to come. "This looks like a hopeless task, father."
As soon as he was safe, Captain Arguez went to headquarters to report, taking the private and Ralph with him. Ralph was put in a side room of the quarters, and left under guard for several hours. "We have resolved to keep you here for the present," said the soldier, who came to him at last. "Keep me here!" gasped Ralph. "What for? Surely you don't count me a prisoner of war?"
"From the Guadalupe River, at least thirty or forty miles from here." "Then I must be almost as far from Bexar?" "Yes; perhaps farther." "It is too bad! I was foolish. But let that pass, what is done cannot be undone." Captain Arguez had relapsed into Spanish, so Ralph did not understand his last words. He remained silent, wondering what the officer would say next.
The Indian nodded again. "When was this?" As well as he could, with his limited knowledge of English, Big Foot told of the meeting with Captain Arguez, the Mexican private, and Ralph. "They all go into Bexar," he concluded. "Then Ralph is a prisoner of the enemy," said Amos Radbury. "But will they hold a mere boy like that?" snorted Poke Stover. "It seems to me thet ain't human nater, nohow."
"I was out looking for a lost mustang, and missed my way." "Ha, that is what the other boy told me!" muttered Captain Arguez, half savagely. "The other boy? Then you have seen my brother?" "Yes." "Where is he now?" "I cannot tell you. He ran away, taking one of my soldier's mustangs." "But I don't understand," stammered Ralph. "Are you a Mexican army officer?" "I am." "And Dan was with you?"
It was agreed that while looking for Captain Arguez they should hunt for the boy also. "I'm lost, and that is all there is to it!" Ralph sat on the back of his mustang the picture of dismay. He had tried to follow his big brother and had failed, and had spent the night on the bank of the ravine, but at a point several miles from the cave.
In this party was Big Foot, the Comanche, who had been nursed at the Radbury ranch, but Ralph did not recognise the red man, for he was too far away. The storm had let up a little during the day, but now as night came on it broke forth once more, as furiously as ever. "This just suits me," said Captain Arguez. "It will wet us to the skin, to be sure, but it will put the Texans off their guard."
The voice was a strange one, and the words were spoken with a Spanish accent. Ralph fell back in dismay, but it was too late, and soon the newcomer showed himself, riding a jaded steed, and carrying a long horse-pistol in his hand. "Ha, boy, are you alone?" demanded the man, who was none other than Captain Arguez. "I am," answered Ralph. "And what brought you here?"
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