“I hope nothing has happened to distress you?” said Mary, anxiously.

“You are the very one I wished to see.  Mr. Carlton said, this morning, that he was unwilling for me to remain here any longer, as our troops are marching to attack the Alamo.  He says he will take us to Washington, and I could not bear the idea of leaving you here.”

“I have come to consult you on this subject; for some of my Mexican friends have advised us to leave San Antonio; and not knowing where or how to go, concluded to come and see you.  But Washington is far, very far from here.  How will we ever reach it in these unsettled times?”

“Mr. Carlton and Frank have gone to make all necessary preparation for our immediate departure.  We will have two tents, and carry such cooking utensils and provisions as are needful for a tedious journey:  one wagon is all we hope to obtain for conveying these.  I suppose we shall all ride horseback; for you know there is not a carriage in the town.  Frank does not wish us to leave this place, for he suggested your coming to remain with us till these stormy times were over.  But this is not a suitable home for you.  Surely your cousin and aunt will consent to accompany us?”

“Yes, I think so; for Florry left it entirely with me, and certainly we should go now.”

“I am very glad to hear you say so, Mary; not only upon your own account, but also for Frank.  He will consider himself bound to accompany you; for he promised your dying uncle to watch over you both with a brother’s care, and otherwise he could not be induced to leave San Antonio at this crisis.  He seems completely rapt in the issue of the contest; and would you believe it, Mary, he is anxious to enlist; but my entreaties have as yet prevented him.”

“Dear Mrs. Carlton, there is no obligation resting on him to go with us.  He has been very kind and careful, and though deeply grateful, we could not consent to his leaving against his own inclinations.  Oh, no! we could not allow this.  Yet should he remain, what may be the result?  Oh!  Mrs. Carlton, this is terrible.”

Mary’s cheek was very pale, and her lips quivered convulsively, while the small hands, clasped each other tightly.

“Mary, for my sake, use your influence with him in favor of going to Washington.  I can’t go in peace, and feel that he is here exposed to such imminent danger, for when I am gone, what will restrain him?  Mary, Mary! do not deter him, if he feels it incumbent on him to see you to a place of of safety.”

“Mrs. Carlton, you can appreciate the peculiar position in which I am placed.  Florry and I would shrink from drawing him away, in opposition to his wishes, particularly when there is no danger attendant on our traveling; for with you and Mr. Carlton we would feel no apprehension; and even if we did, we could not consent to such a sacrifice on his part.  Yet I sympathize with you, most sincerely, and will willingly do all that in propriety I can to alleviate your sorrow; but knowing his sentiments, how could I advise, or even acquiesce in his going?”