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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"The Texan Scouts A Story of the Alamo and Goliad"

Remember that you can talk
their lingo like a native, an' don't forget, neither, to keep always
about you a great big piece of presence of mind that you can use on a
moment's notice."
Ned wore his serape and he carried a pair of small, light but very warm
blankets, strapped in a pack on his back. His haversack contained bread
and dried beef, and, with his smaller weapons in his belt, and his
rifle over his shoulder, he was equipped fully for a long and dangerous
journey.
Crockett and the boy passed into the convent yard.
The soft wind from the southwest blew upon their faces, and from the
high wall of the church a sentinel called: "All's well!" Ned felt an
extraordinary shiver, a premonition, but it passed, unexplained. He and
Crockett went into the main plaza and reached the lowest part of the
wall.
"Ought I to see Colonel Travis?" asked Ned, as they were on the way.
"No, he asked me to see to it, 'cause there ain't no time to waste. It's
about three o'clock in the mornin' now, an' you've got to slip through
in two or three hours, 'cause the light will be showin' then. Now, Ned,
up with you an' over."
Ned climbed to the summit of the wall. Beyond lay heavy darkness, and he
neither saw nor heard any human being.


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