Portilla, meanwhile, was dominated by the younger Urrea, a man
of force and audacity, whom he knew to be high in the favor of Santa
Anna.
Captain Urrea did not believe in showing any kindness to the men
imprisoned in the church. They were rebels or filibusters. They had
killed many good Mexicans, and they should be made to suffer for it. No
answer was returned to Fannin's letter, and the men in the somber old
limestone building became depressed and gloomy.
Ned, who was surprised at nothing, also hoped for nothing, but he sought
to preserve his strength, believing that he would soon have full need of
it. He stretched and tensed his muscles in order to keep the stiffness
from coming into them, and he slept whenever he could.
Two or three days passed and the Mexican officer, Holzinger, came for
Fannin, who was now recovered largely from his wound. The two went away
to Copano on the coast to look for a vessel that would carry the
prisoners to New Orleans. They returned soon, and Fannin and all his men
were in high hopes.
Meanwhile a new group of prisoners were thrust into the church. They
were the survivors of Ward's men, whom General Urrea had taken in the
swamps of the Guadalupe.
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