"You are a generous enemy, and chance may help me some day to
return your kindness, but whatever treatment General Cos may accord me,
I hope I shall be able to stand it."
In another hour they saw a column of dust ahead of them. The column grew
and soon Ned saw lances and bayonets shining through it. He knew that
this was the army of Cos, and, just as the eastern light began to fade,
they joined it. Cos was going into camp by the side of a small stream,
and, after a little delay, Almonte took the prisoner to him.
A large tent had been erected for General Cos, but he was sitting before
it, eating his supper. A cook was serving him with delicate dishes and
another servant filled his glass with red wine. His dark face darkened
still further, as he looked at Ned, but he saluted Almonte courteously.
It was evident to Ned that through family or merit, probably both,
Almonte stood very high in the Mexican service.
"I have the honor to report to you, General Cos," said Almonte, "that we
have retaken the young Texan who escaped through the bars of his prison
at the capital. We found him in the mountains overcome by exhaustion."
General Cos' lips opened in a slow, cold smile,--an evil smile that
struck a chill to Ned's heart.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117