In case anything
should happen to you is there any word you want sent anybody?"
"To nobody except Mr. Austin. He's been very good to me here and in
Mexico. I suppose I've got some relatives in Missouri, but they are so
distant I've forgotten who they are, and probably they never knew
anything about me. If it's the other way about, Obed, what word shall I
send?"
"Nothing to nobody. I had a stepfather in Maine, who didn't like me, and
my mother died five years after her second marriage. I'm a Texan, Ned,
same as if I were born on this soil, and my best friends are around me.
I'll live and die with 'em."
The two, the man and the boy, shook hands, but made no further display
of feeling. The force was organized in the village, beyond the sight of
the Mexicans, who were lounging in the grass, although they had posted
sentinels. Every Texan was well armed, carrying a rifle, pistol and
knife. Some had in addition the Indian tomahawk.
It was the first day of October and the coolness of late afternoon had
come. A fresh breeze was blowing from the southwest. The little command,
silent save for the hoof beats of their horses, rode down to the river.
The women and children looked after them and they, too, were silent.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316