CHAPTER III
THE FIGHT WITH URREA
Morning came. Up rose the sun, pouring a brilliant light over thedesolate plains. Beads of water from the rain the night before sparkleda little while and then dried up. But the day was cold, nevertheless,and a sharp wind now began to search for the weakest point of every one.Ned, Obed and the Panther were up betimes, but some of the rescued stillslept.
Ned, at the suggestion of the Panther, mounted one of the horses androde out on the plain a half mile to the south. Those keen eyes of hiswere becoming all the keener from life upon the vast rolling plains. Butno matter how he searched the horizon he saw only a lonesome cactus ortwo shivering in the wind. When he returned with his report theredoubtable Panther said:
"Then we'll just take our time. The pursuit's goin' to come, but sinceit ain't in sight we'll brace up these new friends of ours with hotcoffee an' vittles. I guess we've got coffee enough left for all."
They lighted the fire anew and soon pleasant odors arose. The rescuedprisoners ate and drank hungrily, and Mr. Roylston was able to limp alittle. Now that Ned saw him in the full daylight he understood moreclearly than ever that this was indeed a most uncommon man. The brow andeyes belonged to one who thought, planned and organized. He spoke littleand made no complaint, but when he looked at Ned he said:
"You are young, my boy, to live among such dangers. Why do you not gonorth into the states where life is safe?"
"There are others as young as I, or younger, who have fought or willfight for Texas," said Ned. "I belong here and I've got powerfulfriends. Two of them have saved my life more than once and are likely todo so again."
He nodded toward Obed and the Panther, who were too far away to hear.Roylston smiled. The two men were in singular contrast, but each wasstriking in his way. Obed, of great height and very thin, butexceedingly strong, was like a steel lath. The Panther, huge in everyaspect, reminded one, in his size and strength, of a buffalo bull.
"They are uncommon men, no doubt," said Roylston. "And you expect toremain with them?"
"I'd never leave them while this war lasts! Not under anycircumstances!"
Ned spoke with great energy, and again Roylston smiled, but he said nomore.
"It's time to start," said the Panther.
Roylston again mounted one of the horses. Ned saw that it hurt his prideto have to ride, but he saw also that he would not complain whencomplaints availed nothing. He felt an increasing interest in a man whoseemed to have perfect command over himself.
The boy, Will Allen, was fresh and strong again. His youthful frame hadrecovered completely from all hardships, and now that he was free,armed, and in the company of true friends his face glowed with pleasureand enthusiasm. He was tall and strong, and now he carried a good riflewith a pistol also in his belt. He and Ned walked side by side, and eachrejoiced in the companionship of one of his own age.
"How long have you been with them?" asked Will, looking at Obed and thePanther.
"I was first with Obed away down in Mexico. We were prisoners togetherin the submarine dungeon of San Juan de Ulua. I'd never have escapedwithout him. And I'd never have escaped a lot more things without him,either. Then we met the Panther. He's the greatest frontiersman in allthe southwest, and we three somehow have become hooked together."
Will looked at Ned a little enviously.
"What comrades you three must be!" he said. "I have nobody."
"Are you going to fight for Texas?"
"I count on doing so."
"Then why don't you join us, and we three will turn into four?"
Will looked at Ned, and his eyes glistened.
"Do you mean that?" he asked.
"Do I mean it? I think I do. Ho, there, Panther! You and Obed, just aminute or two!"
The two turned back. Ned and Will were walking at the rear of the littlecompany.
"I've asked Will to be one of us," said Ned, "to join our band and toshare our fortunes, good or bad."
"Can he make all the signs, an' has he rid the goat?" asked the Panthersolemnly.
"Does he hereby swear never to tell any secret of ours to Mexican orIndian?" asked Obed. "Does he swear to obey all our laws and by-lawswherever he may be, and whenever he is put to the test?"
"He swears to everything," replied Ned, "and I know that he is the kindto make a trusty comrade to the death."
"Then you are declared this minute a member of our company in goodstandin'," said the Panther to Will, "an' with this grip I give youwelcome."
He crushed the boy's hand in a mighty grasp that made him wince, andObed followed with one that was almost equally severe. But the boy didnot mind the physical pain. Instead, his soul was uplifted. He was nowthe chosen comrade of these three paladins, and he was no longer alonein the world. But he merely said:
"I'll try to show myself worthy."
They were compelled to stop at noon for rather a long rest, as walkingwas tiresome. Fields, who was a good scout, went back and looked forpursuers, but announced that he saw none, and, after an hour, theystarted again.
"I'm thinkin'," said the Panther, "that Urrea has already organized thepursuit. Mebbe he has pow'ful glasses an' kin see us when we can't seehim. He may mean to attack to-night. It's a lucky thing for us that wecan find timber now an' then."
"It's likely that you're right about to-night," said Obed, "but there'sno night so dark that it doesn't have its silver lining. I guesseverybody in this little crowd is a good shot, unless maybe it's Mr.Roylston, and as we have about three guns apiece we can make it mightyhot for any force that Urrea may bring against us."
They began now to search for timber, looking especially for some clumpof trees that also inclosed water. They did not anticipate any greatdifficulty in regard to the water, as the winter season and the heavyrains had filled the dry creek beds, and had sent torrents down thearroyos. Before dark they found a stream about a foot deep running oversand between banks seven or eight feet high toward the Rio Grande. Amile further on a small grove of myrtle oaks and pecans grew on its leftbank, and there they made their camp.
Feeling that they must rely upon their valor and watchfulness, and notupon secrecy, they built a fire, and ate a good supper. Then they putout the fire and half of them remained on guard, the other half going tosleep, except Roylston, who sat with his back to a tree, his injuredlegs resting upon a bed of leaves which the boys had raked up for him.He had been riding Old Jack and the horse had seemed to take to him, butafter the stop Ned himself had looked after his mount.
The boy allowed Old Jack to graze a while, and then he tethered him inthe thickest of the woods just behind the sleeping man. He wished thehorse to be as safe as possible in case bullets should be flying, and hecould find no better place for him. But before going he stroked his noseand whispered in his ear.
"Good Old Jack! Brave fellow!" he said. "We are going to have troubloustimes, you and I, along with the others, but I think we are going toride through them safely."
The horse whinnied ever so softly, and nuzzled Ned's arm. Theunderstanding between them was complete. Then Ned left him, intending totake a position by the bank of the creek as he was on the early watch.On the way he passed Roylston, who regarded him attentively.
"I judge that your leader, Mr. Palmer, whom you generally call thePanther, is expecting an attack," said the merchant.
"He's the kind of man who tries to provide for everything," replied Ned.
"Of course, then," said Roylston, "he provides for the creek bed. TheMexican skirmishers can come up it and yet be protected by its banks."
"That is so," said the Panther, who had approached as he was speaking."It's the one place that we've got to watch most, an' Ned an' me aregoin' to sit there on the banks, always lookin'. I see that you've gotthe eye of a general, Mr. Roylston."
The merchant smiled.
"I'm afraid I don't count for much in battle," he said, "and least ofall hampered as I am now. But if the worst comes to the worst I can sithere with my b
ack to this tree and shoot. If you will kindly give me arifle and ammunition I shall be ready for the emergency."
"But it is your time to sleep, Mr. Roylston," said the Panther.
"I don't think I can sleep, and as I cannot I might as well be of use."
The Panther brought him the rifle, powder and bullets, and Roylston,leaning against the tree, rifle across his knees, watched with brighteyes. Sentinels were placed at the edge of the grove, but the Pantherand Ned, as arranged, were on the high bank overlooking the bed of thecreek. Now and then they walked back and forth, meeting at intervals,but most of the time each kept to his own particular part of the ground.
Ned found an oak, blown down on the bank by some hurricane, and as therewas a comfortable seat on a bough with the trunk as a rest for his backhe remained there a long time. But his ease did not cause him to relaxhis vigilance. He was looking toward the north, and he could see twohundred yards or more up the creek bed to a point where it curved. Thebed itself was about thirty feet wide, although the water did not have awidth of more than ten feet.
Everything was now quite dry, as the wind had been blowing all day. Butthe breeze had died with the night, and the camp was so still that Nedcould hear the faint trickle of the water over the sand. It was a fairnight, with a cold moon and cold stars looking down. The air was fullof chill, and Ned began to walk up and down again in order to keep warm.He noticed Roylston still sitting with eyes wide open and the rifleacross his lap.
As Ned came near in his walk the merchant turned his bright eyes uponhim.
"I hear," he said, "that you have seen Santa Anna."
"More than once. Several times when I was a prisoner in Mexico, andagain when I was recaptured."
"What do you think of him?"
The gaze of the bright eyes fixed upon Ned became intense andconcentrated.
"A great man! A wickedly great man!"
Roylston turned his look away, and interlaced his fingers thoughtfully.
"A good description, I think," he said. "You have chosen your wordswell. A singular compound is this Mexican, a mixture of greatness,vanity and evil. I may talk to you more of him some day. But I tell younow that I am particularly desirous of not being carried a prisoner tohim."
He lifted the rifle, put its stock to his shoulder, and drew a bead.
"I think I could hit at forty or fifty yards in this good moonlight," hesaid.
He replaced the rifle across his knees and sighed. Ned was curious, buthe would not ask questions, and he walked back to his old position bythe bank. Here he made himself easy, and kept his eyes on the deeptrench that had been cut by the stream. The shadows were dark againstthe bank, but it seemed to him that they were darker than they had beenbefore.
Ned's blood turned a little colder, and his scalp tingled. He wasstartled but not afraid. He looked intently, and saw moving figures inthe river bed, keeping close against the bank. He could not see faces,he could not even discern a clear outline of the figures, but he had nodoubt that these were Urrea's Mexicans. He waited only a moment longerto assure himself that the dark moving line was fact and not fancy.Then, aiming his rifle at the foremost shape, he fired. While the echoof the sharp crack was yet speeding across the plain he cried:
"Up, men! up! Urrea is here!"
A volley came from the creek bed, but in an instant the Panther, Obed,Will and Fields were by Ned's side.
"Down on your faces," cried the Panther, "an' pot 'em as they run! Sothey thought to go aroun' the grove, come down from the north an'surprise us this way! Give it to 'em, boys!"
The rifles flashed and the dark line in the bed of the creek now brokeinto a huddle of flying forms. Three fell, but the rest ran, splashingthrough the sand and water, until they turned the curve and wereprotected from the deadly bullets. Then the Panther, calling to theothers, rushed to the other side of the grove, where a second attack,led by Urrea in person, had been begun. Here men on horseback chargeddirectly at the wood, but they were met by a fire which emptied morethan one saddle.
Much of the charge was a blur to Ned, a medley of fire and smoke, ofbeating hoofs and of cries. But one thing he saw clearly and neverforgot. It was the lame man with the thick white hair sitting with hisback against a tree calmly firing a rifle at the Mexicans. Roylston hadtime for only two shots, but when he reloaded the second time he placedthe rifle across his knees as before and smiled.
Most Mexican troops would have been content with a single charge, butthese returned, encouraged by shouts and driven on by fierce commands.Ned saw a figure waving a sword. He believed it to be Urrea, and hefired, but he missed, and the next moment the horseman was lost in theshadows.
The second charge was beaten back like the first, and severalskirmishers who tried to come anew down the bed of the creek were alsoput to flight. Two Mexicans got into the thickets and tried to stampedethe horses, but the quickness of Obed and Fields defeated their aim. Oneof the Mexicans fell there, but the other escaped in the darkness.
When the second charge was driven back and the horses were quieted thePanther and Obed threshed up the woods, lest some Mexican musketeershould lie hidden there.
Nobody slept any more that night. Ned, Will and the Panther kept a sharpwatch upon the bed of the creek, the moon and stars fortunately aidingthem. But the Mexicans did not venture again by that perilous road,although toward morning they opened a scattering fire from the plain,many of their bullets whistling at random among the trees and thickets.Some of the Texans, crawling to the edge of the wood, replied, but theyseemed to have little chance for a good shot, as the Mexicans lay behinda swell. The besiegers grew tired after a while and silence came again.
Three of the Texans had suffered slight wounds, but the Panther andFields bound them up skillfully. It was still light enough for thesetasks. Fields was particularly jubilant over their success, as he had aright to be. The day before he could look forward only to his ownexecution. Now he was free and victorious. Exultantly he hummed:
You've heard, I s'pose, of New Orleans, It's famed for youth and beauty; There are girls of every hue, it seems, From snowy white to sooty. Now Packenham has made his brags, If he that day was lucky, He'd have the girls and cotton bags In spite of Old Kentucky.
But Jackson, he was wide awake, And was not scared at trifles, For well he knew Kentucky's boys, With their death-dealing rifles. He led them down to cypress swamp, The ground was low and mucky; There stood John Bull in martial pomp, And here stood old Kentucky.
"Pretty good song, that of yours," said the Panther approvingly. "Wheredid you get it?"
"From my father," replied Fields. "He's a Kentuckian, an' he fit at NewOrleans. He was always hummin' that song, an' it come back to me afterwe drove off the Mexicans. Struck me that it was right timely."
Ned and Will, on their own initiative, had been drawing all the fallenlogs that they could find and move to the edge of the wood, and havingfinished the task they came back to the bed of the creek. Roylston, therifle across his knees, was sitting with his eyes closed, but he openedthem as they approached. They were uncommonly large and bright eyes, andthey expressed pleasure.
"It gratifies me to see that neither of you is hurt," he said. "This hasbeen a strange night for two who are as young as you are. And it is astrange night for me, too. I never before thought that I should befiring at any one with intent to kill. But events are often too powerfulfor us."
He closed his eyes again.
"I am going to sleep a little, if I can," he said.
But Ned and Will could not sleep. They went to Ned's old position at theedge of the creek bed, and together watched the opening dawn. They sawthe bright sun rise over the great plains, and the dew sparkle for alittle while on the brown grass. The day was cold, but apparently it hadcome with peace. They saw nothing on the plain, although they had nodoubt that the Mexicans were waiting just beyond the first swell. ButNed and Will discerned three dark objects lying on the sand
up the bedof the creek, and they knew that they were the men who had fallen in thefirst rush. Ned was glad that he could not see their faces.
At the suggestion of the Panther they lighted fires and had warm foodand coffee again, thus putting heart into all the defenders. Then thePanther chose Ned for a little scouting work on horseback. Ned found OldJack seeking blades of grass within the limits allowed by his lariat.But when the horse saw his master he stretched out his head and neighed.
"I think I understand you," said Ned. "Not enough food and no water.Well, I'll see that you get both later, but just now we're going on alittle excursion."
The Panther and Ned rode boldly out of the trees, and advanced a shortdistance upon the plain. Two or three shots were fired from a pointbehind the first swell, but the bullets fell far short.
"I counted on that," said the Panther. "If a Mexican has a gun it'smighty hard for him to keep from firing it. All we wanted to do was touncover their position an' we've done it. We'll go back now, an' waitfur them to make the first move."
But they did not go just yet. A man on horseback waving a large whitehandkerchief appeared on the crest of the swell and rode toward them. Itwas Urrea.
"He knows that he can trust us, while we don't know that we can trusthim," said the Panther, "so we'll just wait here an' see what he has tosay."
Urrea, looking fresh and spirited, came on with confidence and salutedin a light easy fashion. The two Americans did not return the salute,but waited gravely.
"We can be polite, even if we are enemies," said Urrea, "so I say goodmorning to you both, former friends of mine."
"I have no friendship with spies and traitors," growled the Panther.
"I serve my country in the way I think best," said Urrea, "and you mustremember that in our view you two are rebels and traitors."
"We don't stab in the back," said the Panther.
Urrea flushed through his swarthy skin.
"We will not argue the point any further," he said, "but come at once tothe business before us. First, I will admit several things. Your rescueof the prisoners was very clever. Also you beat us off last night, but Inow have a hundred men with me and we have plenty of arms. We are boundto take you sooner or later."
"Then why talk to us about it?" said the Panther.
"Because I wish to save bloodshed."
"Wa'al, then, what do you have to say?"
"Give us the man, Roylston, and the rest of you can go free."
"Why are you so anxious to have Roylston?"
Ned eagerly awaited the answer. It was obvious that Roylston had ratherminimized his own importance. Urrea flicked the mane of his mustang witha small whip and replied:
"Our President and General, the illustrious Santa Anna, is extremelyanxious to see him. Secrets of state are not for me. I merely seek to domy work."
"Then you take this from me," said the Panther, a blunt frontiersman,"my comrades an' me ain't buyin' our lives at the price of nobodyelse's."
"You feel that way about it, do you?"
"That's just the way we feel, and I want to say, too, that I wouldn'ttake the word of either you or your Santa Anna. If we was to give up Mr.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 aMexican officer and gentleman, and you are mere riders of the plains."
"All the same," said the Panther grimly, "if you are goin' to talk youhave to talk with us."
"That is true," said Urrea lightly, having regained complete control ofhis temper. "In war one cannot choose his enemies. I make you theproposition once more. Give us Roylston and go. If you do not accept weshall nevertheless take him and all of you who do not fall first.Remember that you are rebels and traitors and that you will surely beshot or hanged."
"I don't remember any of them things," said the Panther grimly. "What Ido remember is that we are Texans fightin' fur our rights. To hang a manyou've first got to catch him, an' to shoot him you've first got to hithim. An' since things are to be remembered, remember that what you aretryin' to do to us we may first do to you. An' with that I reckon we'llbid you good day, Mr. Urrea."
Urrea bowed, but said nothing. He rode back toward his men, and Ned andthe Panther returned to the grove. Roylston was much better that morningand he was able to stand, leaning against a tree.
"May I ask the result of your conference," he said.
"There ain't no secret about it," replied the Panther, "but themMexicans seem to be almighty fond of you, Mr. Roylston."
"In what way did they show it?"
"Urrea said that all of us could go if we would give up you."
"And your answer?"
The Panther leaned forward a little on his horse.
"You know something about the Texans, don't you, Mr. Roylston?"
"I have had much opportunity to observe and study them."
"Well, they've got plenty of faults, but you haven't heard of thembuyin' their lives at the price of a comrade's, have you?"
"I have not, but I wish to say, Mr. Palmer, that I'm sorry you returnedthis answer. I should gladly take my chances if the rest of you couldgo."
"We'd never think of it," said the Panther. "Besides, them Mexicanswouldn't keep their word. They're goin' to besiege us here, hopin' maybethat starvation or thirst will make us give you up. Now the first thingfor us to do is to get water for the horses."
This presented a problem, as the horses could not go down to the creek,owing to the steep high banks, but the Texans soon solved it. The cliffwas soft and they quickly cut a smooth sloping path with their knivesand hatchets. Old Jack was the first to walk down it and Ned led him.The horse hung back a little, but Ned patted his head and talked to himas a friend and equal. Under such persuasion Old Jack finally made theventure, and when he landed safely at the bottom he drank eagerly. Thenthe other two horses followed. Meanwhile two riflemen kept a keen watchup and down the creek bed for lurking Mexican sharpshooters.
But the watering of the horses was finished without incident, and theywere tethered once more in the thicket. Fields and another man kept awatch upon the plain, and the rest conferred under the trees. ThePanther announced that by a great reduction of rations the food could bemade to last two days longer. It was not a cheerful statement, as theMexicans must know the scanty nature of their supplies, and would waitwith all the patience of Indians.
"All things, including starvation, come to him who waits long enough,"said Obed White soberly.
"We'll jest set the day through," said the Panther, "an' see what turnsup."
But the day was quite peaceful. It was warmer than usual and bright withsunshine. The Mexicans appeared on some of the knolls, seemingly near inthe thin clear air, but far enough away to be out of rifle shot, andbegan to play cards or loll on their serapes. Several went to sleep.
"They mean to show us that they have all the time in the world," saidNed to Will, "and that they are willing to wait until we fall like ripeapples into their hands."
"Do you think they will get us again?" asked Will anxiously.
"I don't. We've got food for two days and I believe that something willhappen in our favor within that time. Do you notice, Will, that it'sbeginning to cloud up again? In winter you can't depend upon brightsunshine to last always. I think we're going to have a dark night andit's given me an idea."
"What is it?"
"I won't tell you, because it may amount to nothing. It all depends uponwhat kind of night we have."
The sun did not return. The clouds banked up more heavily, and in theafternoon Ned went to the Panther. They talked together earnestly,looking frequently at the skies, and the faces of both expressedsatisfaction. Then they entered the bed of the creek and examined itcritically. Will was watching them. When the two separated and Ned cametoward him, he said:
"I can guess your idea now. We mean to escape to-night up the bed of thecreek
."
Ned nodded.
"Your first guess is good," he said. "If the promise of a dark nightkeeps up we're going to try."
The promise was fulfilled. The Mexicans made no hostile movementthroughout the afternoon, but they maintained a rigid watch.
When the sun had set and the thick night had come down the Panther toldof the daring enterprise they were about to undertake, and all approved.By nine o'clock the darkness was complete, and the little band gatheredat the point where the path was cut down into the bed of the creek. Itwas likely that Mexicans were on all sides of the grove, but the Pantherdid not believe that any of them, owing to bitter experience, wouldenter the cut made by the stream. But, as leader, he insisted upon theleast possible noise. The greatest difficulty would be with the horses.Ned, at the head of Old Jack, led the way.
Old Jack made the descent without slipping and in a few minutes theentire force stood upon the sand. They had made no sound that any onecould have heard thirty yards away.
"Now Mr. Roylston," whispered the Panther to the merchant, "you get onNed's horse an' we'll be off."
Roylston sighed. It hurt his pride that he should be a burden, but hewas a man of few words, and he mounted in silence. Then they movedslowly over the soft sand. They had loaded the extra rifles and musketson the other two horses, but every man remained thoroughly armed andready on the instant for any emergency.
The Panther and Obed led. Just behind them came Ned and Will. They wentvery slowly in order to keep the horses' feet from making any sound thatlistening Mexican sentinels might hear. They were fortunate in the sand,which was fine and soundless like a carpet. Ned thought that theMexicans would not make any attempt upon the grove until late at night,and then only with skirmishers and snipers. Or they might not make anyattempt at all, content with their cordon.
But it was thrilling work as they crept along on the soft sand in thedarkness and between the high banks. Ned felt a prickling of the blood.An incautious footstep or a stumble by one of the horses might bring thewhole Mexican force down upon them at any moment. But there was noincautious footstep. Nor did any horse stumble. The silent processionmoved on, passed the curve in the bed of the creek and continued itscourse.
Urrea had surrounded the grove completely. His men were on both sides ofthe creek, but no sound came to them, and they had a healthy respectfor the deadly Texan rifles. Their leader had certainly been wise indeciding to starve them out. Meanwhile the little procession in the bedof the creek increased its speed slightly.
The Texans were now a full four hundred yards from the grove, and theirconfidence was rising.
"If they don't discover our absence until morning," whispered Ned toWill, "we'll surely get away."
"Then I hope they won't discover it until then," said Will fervently. "Idon't want to die in battle just now, nor do I want to be executed inMexico for a rebel or for anything else."
They were now a full mile from the grove and the banks of the creek weredecreasing in height. They did not rise anywhere more than three or fourfeet. But the water increased in depth and the margin of sand wasnarrower. The Panther called a halt and they listened. They heard nosound but the faint moaning of the wind among the dips and swells, andthe long lone howl of a lonesome coyote.
"We've slipped through 'em! By the great horn spoon, we've slippedthrough 'em!" said the Panther exultantly. "Now, boys, we'll take to thewater here to throw 'em off our track, when they try to follow it in themornin'."
The creek was now about three feet in depth and flowing slowly like moststreams in that region, but over a bed of hard sand, where the trace ofa footstep would quickly vanish.
"The water is likely to be cold," said the Panther, "an' if any fellowis afraid of it he can stay behind and consort with the Mexicans whodon't care much for water."
"Lead on, Macduff," said Obed, "and there's nobody who will cry 'hold,enough.'"
The Panther waded directly into the middle of the stream, and all theothers followed. The horses, splashing the water, made some noise, butthey were not so careful in that particular now since they had put amile between themselves and the grove. In fact, the Panther urged themto greater speed, careless of the sounds, and they kept in the water fora full two miles further. Then they quit the stream at a point where thesoil seemed least likely to leave traces of their footsteps, and stoodfor a little while upon the prairie, resting and shivering. Then theystarted at a rapid pace across the country, pushing for the Rio Grandeuntil noon. Then Fields stalked and shot an antelope, with which theyrenewed their supply of food. In the afternoon it rained heavily, but bydark they reached the Rio Grande, across which they made a dangerouspassage, as the waters had risen, and stood once more on the soil ofTexas.
"Thank God!" said Will.
"Thank God!" repeated Ned.
Then they looked for shelter, which all felt they must have.