beggar man. It
was impossible that I could see my angel on earth in it."

"But in such weather? You can not have come far to-day?"

"Senorita, there are things which are impossible, quite impossible!
That is one of them. Early this morning the north wind advanced upon
us, sword in hand. It will last fifty hours, and we shall know
something more about it before they are over. Very well, but it was also
absolutely necessary that some one should reach San Antonio to-night;
and I was so happy as to persuade General Burleson to send me. The Holy
Lady has given me my reward."

"Have you seen the Senor Doctor lately; Luis," asked the Senora.

"I left him at nightfall."

"At nightfall! But that is impossible!"

"It is true. The army of the Americans is but a few miles from San
Antonio."

"Grace of God! Luis!"

"As you say, Senora. It is the grace of God. Did you not know?"

"We know nothing but what Fray Ignatius tells us--that the Americans
have been everywhere pulling down churches, and granting martyrdom to
the priests, and that everywhere miraculous retributions have pursued
them."

"Was Gonzales a retribution? The Senor Doctor came to us while we were
there. God be blessed; but he startled us like the rattle of rifle-shots
in the midnight! 'Why were you not at Goliad?' he cried. 'There were
three hundred stand of arms there, and cannon, and plenty of provisions.
Why were they not yours?' You would have thought, Senora, he had been a
soldier all his life. The men caught fire when he came near them, and we
went to Goliad like eagles flying for their prey. We took the town,
and the garrison, and all the arms and military stores. I will tell you
something that came to pass there. At midnight, as I and Jack stood
with the Senor Doctor by the camp-fire, a stranger rode up to us. It was
Colonel Milam. He was flying from a Mexican prison and had not heard
of the revolt of the Americans. He made the camp ring with his shout
of delight. He was impatient for the morning. He was the first man that
entered the garrison. Bravissimo! What a soldier is he!"

"I remember! I remember!" cried the Senora. "Mi Roberto brought him here
once. So splendid a man I never saw before. So tall, so handsome, so
gallant, so like a hero. He is an American from--well, then, I have
forgotten the place."

"From Kentucky. He fought with the Mexicans when they were fighting for
their liberty; but when they wanted a king and a dictator he resign