"
"I've known you only a few hours, Mr. Roylston," said Crockett, "but
I've knocked around a hard world long enough to know a man when I see
him. If you say you ought, you ought to go."
"That's so," said the Panther. "We've seen Mr. Roylston tried more than
once, and nobody doubts his courage."
A good horse, saddled and bridled, and arms and ammunition, were given
to Roylston. Then he bade them farewell. When he was about twenty yards
away he beckoned to Ned. When the boy stood at his saddle bow he said
very earnestly:
"If you fall again into the hands of Santa Anna, and are in danger of
your life, use my name with him. It is perhaps a more potent weapon than
you think. Do not forget."
"I will not," said Ned, "and I thank you very much, Mr. Roylston. But I
hope that no such occasion will arise."
"So do I," said Roylston with emphasis. Then he rode away, a square,
strong figure, and never looked back.
"What was he saying, Ned?" asked Will, when the boy returned.
"Merely promising help if we should need it, hereafter."
"He looks like a man who would give it."
After some further talk it was decided that Ned, Will, Obed and the
Panther should ride south to watch the advance of Santa Anna, while
Crockett, Fields and the remainder should go to San Antonio and raise
such troops as they could.
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