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Updated: June 24, 2025
Then, as all of you were asleep, I concluded to make my signal, achieve the result and give you a pleasant surprise. Come now, Señor Edward, hand me my rifle, and let us end this unpleasant joke." Ned shook his head. It was hard to resist Urrea's assurance, but manner was not all. His logical mind rejected the story. "I'm sorry, Don Francisco," he said, "but I must refer this to my comrades, Mr.
Urrea's men, having finished their shelters, were now asleep, including all the sentinels except two. There was some excuse for them. They were in their own country, far from any Texan force of importance, and the night could scarcely have been worse. It was very dark, and the cold rain fell with a steadiness and insistence that sought and finally found every opening in one's clothing.
What they wanted was bad weather, hoping meanwhile the execution of the prisoners would not be begun until the Mexicans reached higher authority than Urrea, perhaps Santa Anna himself. They made their own camp a full two miles from Urrea's, and Obed and the Panther divided the watch. Urrea started early the next morning, and so did the pursuing three. The dawn was gray, and the breeze was chill.
Roylston which we don't dream of doin' you'd be after us as hot an' strong as ever." Urrea's swarthy cheeks flushed again. "I shall not notice your insults," he said. "They are beneath me. I am a Mexican officer and gentleman, and you are mere riders of the plains." "All the same," said the Panther grimly, "if you are goin' to talk you have to talk with us."
The boy was blazing with indignation. He had spared Urrea's life, and yet the Mexican had sought at the first opportunity to kill him. He could not understand a soul of such caliber. But the incident passed from his mind, for the time being, in the strenuous work that they began now to do. They broke through partition wall after wall with their powerful picks and crowbars. Stones fell about them.
Close behind the mass of prisoners rode a strong squadron of cavalry with young Urrea at their head. Ned could not see Urrea's face, which was hidden partly by a cocked and plumed hat, but he noticed that the young Mexican sat very upright, as if he felt the pride of authority. One hand held the reins, and the other rested on the silver hilt of a small sword at his side.
"We're only three in this bunch, but two of 'em besides me are ring-tailed panthers. Now we'll just draw off, before it's day, an' hide in the chaparral up there." They rode a mile to the north and remained among dense bushes until daylight. At dawn they saw a column of smoke rise from Urrea's camp. "They are cookin' breakfast now," said the Panther.
He went out, taking the torchbearers with him, and although it was dark again in the vaulted church, the recruits sang a long time. Ned sat down with his back against the wall, and he did not share in the general joy. He remembered the look that had come into Urrea's eyes, when they met the accusing gaze of his own.
Why General Santa Anna spared you then I do not know, but he is not here to give new orders concerning you!" "What do you want?" repeated Ned. "We want the church, yourself and all the other bandits who are within it." Ned's face flushed at Urrea's contemptuous words and manner, and his heart hardened into a yet deeper hatred of the Mexicans. But he controlled his voice and replied evenly.
It all seemed sinister to Ned. Why was Urrea doing everything, and why were his superiors standing by, evidently a prey to some great nervous strain? The recruits, under Urrea's orders, were formed into three columns. One was to take the road toward San Antonio, the second would march toward San Patricio, and the third to Copano.
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