Once, on the second day, he saw two
horsemen, whom his trained eyes told him to be Texan hunters.
The messenger sheered off into a patch of timber, and waited until the
hunters passed out of sight. Had they seen him much might have changed,
a terrible story might have been different, but, at that period, the
stars in their courses were working against the Texans. Every accident,
every chance, turned to the advantage of their enemies.
The messenger emerged from the timber, and went on at the same steady
gait toward Goliad. He was riding his fourth horse now, having changed
every time he met a Mexican detachment, and the animal was fresh and
strong. The rider himself, powerful by nature and trained to a life in
the saddle, felt no weariness.
The scattered houses of Goliad came into view, by and by, and the
messenger, giving the magic name of Santa Anna, rode through the lines.
He inquired for General Urrea, the commander, but the general having
gone to Victoria he was directed to Colonel Portilla, who commanded in
his absence. He found Portilla sitting in a patio with Colonel Garay,
the younger Urrea and several other Mexican officers. The messenger
saluted, drew the letter from his pocket and presented it to Colonel
Portilla.
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