Ned remained kneeling, rifle in hand, to guard against any mistake.  The man on horseback rode toward him, while the sprawling army of Cos still slept.  Then Ned saw clearly that it was Obed, and that he rode a magnificent black horse, sixteen hands high, as fiery as any that could be found in all Mexico.

In another moment Obed was by his side, looking down from the height of his horse.  In the moonlight Ned saw that his face was glowing.

“Isn’t he a beauty?” he said.  “And I think, too, that he likes me.  There were three or four sentinels down there by the horses, but all of them were fast asleep, and I had time to pick.  I’ve also brought away a roll of blankets, two for each of us, and I never woke a man.  Now, Ned, we’re furnished complete, and we’re off to Texas with your message.”

“The first thing, I suppose, is to introduce our horses to each other.”

“Correct.  You and I are friends, Ned, and so must our horses be.”

They took a last look at the sleeping camp and went away through the woods.  Obed dismounted, and led his horse to the place where the second was tied.  The two horses whinnied and rubbed noses.

“It’s all right,” said Obed.  “When horse and man agree who can stop us?”

Ned mounted the first, the bay, while Obed retained the black.  Then they rode all through the night, coming about dawn to a plain which turned to sand and cactus, as they advanced further into the north.  There was no water here, but they had rilled their water bottles at the last brook and they had no fear of perishing by thirst.  Although they had passed the army of Cos they did not fail to keep a vigilant watch.  They knew that patrols of Mexicans would be in the north, and the red men were also to be feared.  They were coming into regions across which mounted Indians often passed, doing destruction with rifle and lance, spear and arrow.  Both had more apprehension now about Indians than Mexicans.

At noon of that day they saw four horsemen on their left who shaped their course toward theirs in such a manner that if they moved at an equal pace they would meet at the point of a triangle.  But the horses that Ned and Obed rode were powerful animals, far superior to the ordinary Mexican mounts, and they rode steadily ahead, apparently taking no notice of the four on their flank.

“They’re Mexican scouts,” said Obed, “I’m sure of it, but I don’t believe that they’ll come too close.  They see that we have rifles, and they know the deadly nature of the Texan rifle.  If we are friends it’s all right, if we are Texans it will be wise to keep at a good distance.”

Obed was a good prophet.  The Mexicans, at a distance of almost a quarter of a mile, raised a great shout.  The two took no notice of it, but rode on, their faces toward the north.

“I can talk good Spanish or Mexican,” said Obed, “and so can you, but I’m out riding now and I don’t feel like stopping for conversation.  Ah, there they are shouting again, and as I live, Ned, they’re increasing their speed.  We’ll give ’em a sign.”