But it was thrilling work as they crept along on the soft sand in the
darkness and between the high banks. Ned felt a prickling of the blood.
An incautious footstep or a stumble by one of the horses might bring the
whole Mexican force down upon them at any moment. But there was no
incautious footstep. Nor did any horse stumble. The silent procession
moved on, passed the curve in the bed of the creek and continued its
course.
Urrea had surrounded the grove completely. His men were on both sides of
the creek, but no sound came to them, and they had a healthy respect
for the deadly Texan rifles. Their leader had certainly been wise in
deciding to starve them out. Meanwhile the little procession in the bed
of the creek increased its speed slightly.
The Texans were now a full four hundred yards from the grove, and their
confidence was rising.
"If they don't discover our absence until morning," whispered Ned to
Will, "we'll surely get away."
"Then I hope they won't discover it until then," said Will fervently. "I
don't want to die in battle just now, nor do I want to be executed in
Mexico for a rebel or for anything else."
They were now a full mile from the grove and the banks of the creek were
decreasing in height.
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