"
"Never a doubt of that," said Smith, "and he'll be with us in the coming
struggle."
When Ned awoke the dawn was barely showing, but all the horses,
including his own, were saddled and ready. They ate a brief breakfast,
and then they galloped northward over a good country. They did not
trouble to look for the army of Cos, as they knew that it was coming and
it was their object to spread the alarm as soon as possible through all
the Texas settlements. Ned, refreshed and strong, was in the center of
the troop and he rode with a light heart. Obed was on one side of him,
and "Deaf" Smith on the other.
"To-night," said Smith, "we water our horses in the Rio Grande."
"And then ho for Texas!" said Obed.
On they sped, their even pace unbroken until noon, when they made a
short rest for food and water. Then they sped north once more, Bowie,
Smith and Karnes leading the way. They said very little now, but every
one in the group was thinking of the scattered Texans, of the women and
children in the little cabins beyond the Rio Grande, harried already by
Comanches and Lipans and now threatened by a great Mexican force. They
had come from different states and often they were of differing
counsels, but a common danger would draw them together.
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