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Updated: June 20, 2025
At what?" "A man, sah, wot was a-creepin' around de ranch, sah, peepin' in de doah an' de winders, sah." "A man?" "Hank Stiger, I'll wager a dollar!" cried Dan. "It must have been that fellow," added Ralph. "What became of the man, Pompey?" went on Mr. Radbury. "I can't say as to dat, sah. As soon as I dun spot him, sah, I got de gun, an' he run away like de Old Boy was after him, sah."
Radbury had been assigned to his old position of lieutenant, with Dan as one of the privates under him. The Texans had gathered around in little knots to discuss the situation in low tones. Under one of the trees stood General Houston, clad in nothing more striking than an old slouch hat, a shiny black coat, and a light-coloured pair of trousers which had long since seen their best days.
Radbury had once owned a large interest in a tobacco plantation. But a disastrous flood had robbed him not only of the larger portion of his property, but also of his much beloved wife, and, almost broken-hearted, the planter had sold off his remaining interest in the plantation for five thousand dollars, and emigrated, first to New Orleans, and then to his present home.
In the number were Amos Radbury, Poke Stover, and a party of scouts who had served under Crockett. Dan, of course, followed his father. As soon as it was learned how enthusiastic the soldiers were, it was decided that Milam's party should meet on the following day at an old mill near the camp.
He came running toward Dan, holding up both hands in token of peace. "Big Foot!" exclaimed the youth, as he recognised the Indian. "Good Dan," answered the Indian. "I glad I see you. How! How!" and he looked at Amos Radbury and the others. "I reckon this is the critter ye nursed at the ranch," remarked Stover. "It is," answered Dan. He turned to the Indian. "So you are glad to see me, eh?"
Then his father dropped like a lump of lead. "Father!" cried the boy, hoarsely, and knelt beside his parent. "Are you hit?" "I I guess not," stammered Lieutenant Radbury. Then he passed his hand over his ear and withdrew it covered with blood. "But I reckon he nipped me." "That's wot he did," put in Stover. "But Dan plugged him for it," he went on, with much satisfaction.
"You're wrong, Ralph, for he wouldn't know one paper from another." "But he'd know the land papers were important, because of the seals on them," persisted the youngest Radbury. The Indian in the corner now demanded their attention. He was plainly in a bad way, and Poke Stover said it was very doubtful if he would live.
He was soon on the way, with Poke Stover, and eleven others, for Poke happened to be near him when the order was given. The Mexicans they had been sent to capture were four in number, and one of them looked like an officer of considerable rank. "I think we can ride them down, Poke," observed Lieutenant Radbury, as he dashed over the prairies at the full speed of his mustang.
"The Mexicans don't care a rap for us, and I reckon they'd just as lief see the Injuns ride over us as not." "I trust Santa Anna does the right thing by us," answered Mr. Radbury. "I wouldn't trust any of 'em." "Well, if they don't do right, they had better look out for Sam Houston, or he'll be on their heels." "Yes, I've great faith in Houston," was the other settler's answer.
"This looks like a fight, father," observed Dan, as his parent joined him on the bank of the stream, where Dan had gone, following Captain Martin. "It certainly looks like trouble," answered Mr. Radbury, as he gazed at the Mexican dragoons with anxiety. "That cannon may be responsible for a whole lot of bloodshed." "Well, they haven't any right to disarm us," returned the youth, determinedly.
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