"You are chosen for a
great service. It's an honor to anybody!"
"A service of great danger, requirin' great skill," said Crockett, "but
you can do it, Ned, you can do it."
Ned flushed. This was, in truth, a great trust. He might, indeed, bring
the help they needed so sorely.
"Here's your rifle an' other weapons an' ammunition," said Crockett.
"The night's at its darkest an' you ain't got any time to waste. Come
on!"
So swift was Crockett that Ned was ready almost before he knew it. The
Tennesseean never ceased hurrying him. But as he started, Bowie called
to him:
"Good-by, Ned!"
The boy turned back and offered his hand. The Georgian shook it with
unusual warmth, and then lay back calmly on his blankets.
"Good-by, Ned," he repeated, "and if we don't meet again I hope you'll
forget the dark things in my life, and remember me as one who was doing
his best for Texas."
"But we will meet again," said Ned. "The relieving force will be here in
two or three days and I'll come with it."
"Out with you!" said Crockett. "That's talk enough. What you want to do
now is to put on your invisible cap an' your seven league boots an' go
like lightnin' through the Mexican camp.
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