Ned slept half through the morning in one of the little adobe houses, and at noon he, Obed, the Ring Tailed Panther and others rode toward San Antonio.  They slept that night in a pecan grove, and the next day continued their journey, meeting in the morning a Texan who informed them that Cos with a formidable force was in San Antonio.  He also confirmed the information that the Texans were gathering from all points for the attack upon this, the greatest Mexican fortress in all Texas.  Mr. Austin was commander-in-chief of the forces, but he wished to yield the place to Houston who would not take it.

Late in the afternoon they saw horsemen and rode toward them boldly.  The group was sixty or eighty in number and they stopped for the smaller body to approach.  Ned’s keen eyes recognized them first, and he uttered a cry of joy.

“There’s Mr. Bowie,” he said, “and there are Smith and Karnes, too!  They are all on their way to San Antonio.”

He took off his hat and waved it joyously.  Smith and Karnes did the same and Bowie smiled gravely as the boy rode up.

“Well, Ned,” he said, “we meet again and I judge that we ride on the same errand.”

“We do.  To San Antonio.”

“An’ there’ll be the biggest fight that was ever seen in Texas,” said the Ring Tailed Panther, who knew Bowie well.  “If Mexicans an’ Texans want to get to roarin’ an’ rippin’ they’ll have the chance.”

“They will, Panther,” said Bowie, still smiling gravely.  Then he looked inquiringly at Urrea.

“This is Don Francisco Urrea,” said Obed.  “He was born in Texas, and he is with us heart and soul.  By a hard ride he saved his uncle and family from slaughter by the guerrillas of Cos, and he reached Goliad just a few minutes too late to take part in the capture of the Mexican force.”

“Some of the Mexicans born in Texas are with us,” said Bowie, “and before we are through at San Antonio, Don Francisco, you will have a good chance to prove your loyalty to Texas.”

“I shall prove it,” said Urrea vehemently.

“The place for the gathering of our troops is on Salado Creek near San Antonio,” said Bowie, “and I think that we shall find both Mr. Austin and General Houston there.”

Bowie was extremely anxious to be at a conference with the leaders, and taking Ned, Obed, the Ring Tailed Panther and a few others he rode ahead.  Ned suggested that Urrea go too, but Bowie did not seem anxious about him, and he was left behind.

“Maybe he would not be extremely eager to fire upon people of his own blood if we should happen to meet the Mexican lancers,” said Bowie.  “I don’t like to put a man to such a test before I have to do it.”

Urrea showed disappointment, but, after some remonstrance, he submitted with a fair grace.

“I’ll see you again before San Antonio,” he said to Ned.

Ned shook his hand, and galloped away with the little troop, which all told numbered only sixteen.  Bowie kept them at a rapid pace until sundown and far after.  Ned saw that the man was full of care, and he too appreciated the importance of the situation.  Events were coming to a crisis and very soon the Texans and the army of Cos would stand face to face.