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There was no railroad communication through Karnes and Goliad counties at that time, and all the boys were assured that their private horses would have good pasturage at the home ranch while they were away, and I advised them all to come on horseback. By this method they would have a fresh horse awaiting them on their return from the North with which to continue their homeward journey.
Their trained eyes noticed at once that the strangers were of varying figure. The foremost, even at the distance, seemed to be gigantic, the second was very long and thin, and the third was normal. Smith and Karnes watched them a little while, and then Karnes spoke in words of true conviction. "It would be hard, Deaf, for even a bad eye to mistake the foremost." "Right you are, Hank.
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.
"Let's put our ears to the ground, Ned," said he. The two stretched out ear to earth, and then Ned not only heard the noise much more distinctly, but he knew at once what it was. He had heard it more than once in the marching army of Cos. It was the sound made by the approaching wheel of a cannon. "Artillery," he said in a whisper. "Beyond a doubt," said Karnes.
"It means that the Mexicans have crossed the river there's a ford two or three hundred yards above and mean to attack us. It was your good ear, Ned, that gave us the first warning." Ned flushed with pleasure at the compliment, but, a moment or two later, they saw dark figures rising out of the prairie and advancing toward them. "Mexicans!" cried Karnes, and instantly fired at a dusky outline.
The men not on guard, used to taking their sleep where they could find it, were already in slumber. There was no wind. The dark hours as usual were full of chill, but Ned's vigorous walk back and forth kept him warm. He was joined after a while by the famous scout, Henry Karnes, who, like "Deaf" Smith, seemed to watch all the time, although he came and went as he pleased.
The group was sixty or eighty in number and they stopped for the smaller body to approach. Ned's keen eyes recognized them first, and he uttered a cry of joy. "There's Mr. Bowie," he said, "and there are Smith and Karnes, too! They are all on their way to San Antonio." He took off his hat and waved it joyously. Smith and Karnes did the same and Bowie smiled gravely as the boy rode up.
You were a kid, about seven, a-riding a little yellow pony up and down. Amos and me stopped at your home for a little grub when we were trailing that band of Mexican cattle thieves down through Karnes and Bee. Great tarantulas! and you're Amos Colvin's little girl! Did you ever hear your father mention Luke Standifer just kind of casually as if he'd met me once or twice?"
"Now is not that wonderful?" He leaned against the door as he had leaned many a time against sentry-box and barrack wall, and dwelt a little upon memory. "Is not that wonderful? The first time I saw her was at a wedding in Karnes, Lochow, and she was the handsomest woman in the room, and there were sixty people at the wedding from all parts, and sixty-nine roasted hens at the supper.
"Will," exclaimed the Panther, "have you gone plum' 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 Karnes joined them.
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