"The messenger came from General Urrea," he said.
Santa Anna, with a word of apology, because he loved the surface forms
of politeness, opened and read the letter. Then he uttered a cry of joy.
"We have all the Texans now!" he exclaimed. "General Urrea has taken
Fannin and his men. There is nothing left in Texas to oppose us."
The generals uttered joyful shouts and drank again to their illustrious
leader. The banquet lasted long, but after it was over Santa Anna
withdrew to his own room and dictated a letter to his secretary. It was
sealed carefully and given to a chosen messenger, a heavy-browed and
powerful Mexican.
"Ride fast to Goliad with that letter," said Santa Anna.
The messenger departed at once. He rode a strong horse, and he would
find fresh mounts on the way. He obeyed the orders of the general
literally. He soon left San Antonio far behind, and went on hour after
hour, straight toward Goliad. Now and then he felt the inside of his
tunic where the letter lay, but it was always safe. Three or four times
he met parties of Mexicans, and he replied briefly to their questions
that he rode on the business of the most illustrious president, General
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
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