“I think our good horse here was lonesome,” said Obed, “Horses that are used to human beings miss ’em for a while when they lose ’em, and we’re not enslaving our friend by taking him.  Here’s a lariat coiled at the saddle bow; we’ll just tether him by that, and let him go on with his grazing, while we get our breakfast.  You will notice, too, Ned, that we’ve taken more than a horse.  See this pair of holster pistols swung across the saddle and ammunition to fit.  The enemy is still supplying us with our needs, Ned.”

As they ate breakfast they resolved to secure another horse.  Obed was of the opinion that the army of Cos was not far away, and he believed that he could steal one.  At least, he was willing to try on the following night, and, if he succeeded, their problem would be simplified greatly.

They remained nearly all the morning in the little valley and devoted a large part of the time to developing their acquaintance with the horse, which was a fine animal, amenable to good treatment, and ready to follow his new masters.

“He looks like an American horse,” said Obed, with satisfaction, “and maybe he is one, stolen from the Texans.  He’ll carry one of us over many miles of sand and cactus, and he’ll be none the worse for it.  But he needs a friend.  Horse was not made to live alone.  It’s my sympathy for him as much as the desire for another mount that drives me to the theft we contemplate.”

Ned laughed and lolled on the grass which was now dry.

“Yon stay here with Bucephalus or Rosinante or whatever you choose to call him,” continued Obed, “and I think I’ll cross the hills, and see if Cos is near.  If we’re going to capture a horse, we must first know where the horse is to be found.”

“Suppose I go along, too.”

“No, it would be easier for the Mexicans to see two than one, and we shouldn’t take unnecessary risks.  Be sure you stay in the valley, Ned, because I want to know where to find you when I come back.  I’ve an idea that the Mexican army isn’t far, as we wound around a good deal during the storm and darkness, and covered no great distance, if it were counted in a straight line.  At least I think so.”

“You’ll find me here.”

Obed went toward the east, and Ned continued to make himself comfortable on the grass, which was so long and thick that it almost hid his body.  But it was truly luxurious.  It seemed that after so much hardship and danger he could not get enough rest.  He felt quite safe, too.  It would take a careful observer to see him lying there in the deep grass.  It was warm and dry where he lay, and the little valley was well hemmed in by forest in which crotons, mimosas, myrtle oaks, okote pine and many other trees grew.  Some had large rich blossoms and he admired their beauty.

His eyes wandered back from the forest to their new friend, the horse.  Besides being an animal of utility the horse added to their comradeship.  Ned felt that he still had a friend with him, although Obed was away.  Obed had spoken truly.  It was a fine horse, a bay, tall, strong and young, grazing with dignified content, at the end of a lariat about forty feet in length.