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Updated: June 29, 2025
How were Crockett and Bowie? His heart filled with grief that he had failed them. But had he failed them? Neither Urrea nor any other Mexican had spoken of the approach of a relieving force under Roylston. There was no sign that the Mexicans were sending any part of their army to meet it.
He knew that the circle of steel about the Alamo was complete. Perhaps he would have failed in his errand even had he got by. It would require an unusually strong force to cut through an army as large as that of Santa Anna, and he did not know where Roylston could have found it. He started, as a sudden suspicion smote him. He remembered Crockett's hurried manner, and his lack of explanation.
"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.
Roylston was able to limp a little. Now that Ned saw him in the full daylight he understood more clearly than ever that this was indeed a most uncommon man. The brow and eyes belonged to one who thought, planned and organized. He spoke little and made no complaint, but when he looked at Ned he said: "You are young, my boy, to live among such dangers.
When the boy stood at his saddle bow he said very earnestly: "If you fall again into the hands of Santa Anna, and are in danger of your life, use my name with him. It is perhaps a more potent weapon than you think. Do not forget." "I will not," said Ned, "and I thank you very much, Mr. Roylston. But I hope that no such occasion will arise." "So do I," said Roylston with emphasis.
"Couldn't think of it," said Ned lightly; "besides, I've got a password in case I'm taken by Santa Anna." "What's that?" asked Crockett curiously. "It's the single word 'Roylston. Mr. Roylston told me if I were taken by Santa Anna to mention his name to him." "That's queer, an' then maybe it ain't," said Crockett musingly. "I've heard a lot of John Roylston.
His lips wrinkled away from his white teeth like those of a great cat about to spring, and his cruel eyes contracted. Holding all the power of Mexico in his hands he was indeed something to be dreaded. The generals about the table never spoke. But Ned remembered the words of Roylston. "A great merchant named John Roylston has been a good friend to me," he said.
"He told me that if I should ever fall into your hands I was to mention his name to you, and to say that he considered my life of value." The expression of the dictator changed. He frowned, and then regarded Ned intently, as if he would read some secret that the boy was trying to hide. "And so you know John Roylston," he said at length, "and he wishes you to say to me that your life is of value."
Why do you not go north into the states where life is safe?" "There are others as young as I, or younger, who have fought or will fight for Texas," said Ned. "I belong here and I've got powerful friends. Two of them have saved my life more than once and are likely to do so again." He nodded toward Obed and the Panther, who were too far away to hear. Roylston smiled.
His legs lay loosely against the log, as if he were suffering from a species of paralysis. The others, soaked by the rain, which, however, now ceased, were also hovering over the fire which was giving new life to the blood in their veins. The man with the white hands turned presently and, speaking to Ned, Obed and the Panther, said: "My name is Roylston, John Roylston." Ned started.
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