“I was,” replied Milam, one of the Texan leaders, “but I escaped and obtained a horse.  I have ridden nearly seven hundred miles day and night.  My horse dropped dead down there in the chaparral and I’ve been here, trying to take a look at Goliad, uncertain about going in, because I do not know whether it is held by Texans or Mexicans.”

“It is held by Mexicans at present,” replied Potter, solemnly.  “But I think that within an hour or two it will be held by Texans.”

“If it ain’t there’ll be some mighty roarin’ an’ rippin’ an’ tearin’,” said the Ring Tailed Panther.

“Give me a bite to eat and something to drink,” said Milam; “and I’ll help you turn Goliad from a Mexican into a Texan town.”

Exhausted and nearly starved, he showed, nevertheless, the dauntless spirit of the Texans.  Food and drink were given to him and the little party moved toward the town.  Presently they saw one or two lights.  Far off a dog howled, but it was only at the moon.  He had not scented them.  By and by the ground grew so rough and the bushes so thick that all dismounted and tethered their horses.  Then they crept into the very edge of the town, still unseen and unheard.  Potter pointed to a large building.

“That,” he said, “is the headquarters of Colonel Sandoval, the commandant, and if you look closely you will see a sentinel walking up and down before the door.”

“We will make a rush for that house,” said the leader of the Texans, “and call upon the sentinel to yield.”

They slipped from the cover and ran toward the house, shouting to the Mexican on guard to surrender.  But he fired at them point blank, although his bullet missed, and a shot from one of the Texans slew him.  The next moment they were thundering at the door of the house, in which were Sandoval and the larger part of his garrison.  The door held fast, and shots were fired at them from the windows.

Some of the Texans ran to the neighboring houses, obtained axes and smashed in the door.  Then they poured in, every man striving to be first, and most of the Mexicans fled through the back doors or the windows, escaping in the darkness into the mesquite and chaparral.  Sandoval himself, half dressed, was taken by the Ring Tailed Panther and Obed.  He made many threats, but Obed replied: 

“You have chosen war and the Texans are giving it to you as best they can.  Our bullets fall on all Mexicans, whether just or unjust.”

Sandoval said no more, but finished his interrupted toilet.  It was clear to Ned, watching his face, that the Mexican colonel considered all the Texans doomed, despite their success of the moment.  Sandoval was still in his quarters.  His arms had been taken away but he suffered no ill treatment.  Despite the rapid flight of the Mexican soldiers twenty-five or thirty had been taken and they were held outside.  The Texans not knowing what to do with them decided to release them later on parole.