No doubt the shots had been heard at the main camp, and many
men were seeking their cause.
But Ned, fortunately for himself, was now like the needle in the
haystack. While the trumpets signaled and the groups of Mexican horsemen
rode into one another he stole back to the old mission and knocked upon
the door with the butt of his rifle. Answering King's questions through
the loophole, he was admitted quickly.
"The main army hasn't come up yet," he said, in reply to the eager
inquiries of the defenders. "Fannin's men may get here in time, and if
they are in sufficient force to beat off the cavalry detachment I
suggest that we abandon the mission before we are caught in a trap, and
retreat toward Fannin. If we linger the whole Mexican army will be
around us."
"Sounds right," said King, "but we've got to hear from Fannin first. Now
you look pretty tired, Fulton. Suppose you roll up in some blankets
there by the wall and take a nap."
"I don't want to sleep now," said Ned. "You remember that I slept until
nearly midnight. But I would like to stretch out a while. It's not very
restful to be hunted through woods by Mexicans, even if you do get
away."
Ned lay by the wall upon the blankets and watched the sun go slowly up
the arch of the heavens.
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