Ned stood up and
pressed his head as far forward as the bars of the window would let him.
"Soldiers, a regiment, I think," he said. "Ah, I can see them now! What
brilliant uniforms their officers wear!"
Austin also looked out.
"Yes," he said. "They know how to dress for effect. And their music is
good, too. Listen how they play."
It was a martial air, given with a splendid lilt and swing. The tune
crept into Ned's blood and his hand beat time on the stone sill. But the
music increased his longing for liberty. His thoughts passed away from
the narrow street and the marching regiment to the North, to the wild
free plains beyond the Rio Grande. It was there that his heart was, and
it was there that his body would be.
"It is General Cos who leads them," said Austin. "I can see him now,
riding upon a white horse. It's the man in the white and silver uniform,
Ned."
"He's the brother-in-law of Santa Anna, is he not?"
"Yes, and I fear him. I know well, Ned, that he hates the Texans--all of
us."
"Perhaps the regiment that we see now is going north against our
people."
Austin's brows contracted.
"It may be so," he said. "They give soft words all the time, and yet
they hold me a prisoner here.
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