a little child.
Her own selfish sorrow had been buried in a wave of holy, unselfish
maternal affection. The key to her nature had been found, and
henceforward Isabel brought to her every suffering baby.

On the next day they marched ten miles through a heavy rain, and arrived
at Burnett's settlement. The women had shelter, the men slept on the wet
ground--took the prairie without cover--with their arms in their hands.
They knew they were in the vicinity of Santa Anna, and all were ready
to answer in an instant the three taps of the drum, which was the only
instrument of martial music in the camp, and which was never touched but
by Houston.

Another day of eighteen miles brought them to within a short distance of
Harrisburg. Santa Anna had just been there, and the place was in ashes.
It was evident to all, now, that the day and the hour was at hand.
Houston first thought of the two hundred families he had in charge, and
they were quickly taken over the bayou. When he had seen the last one in
this comparative safety, he uttered so fervent a "Thank God!" that the
men around unconsciously repeated it. The bayou though narrow was twenty
feet deep, and the very home of alligators. There was only one small
bridge in the vicinity. He intended its destruction, and thus to make
his little band and the deep, dangerous stream a double barrier between
the Mexicans and the women and children beyond them. It was after this
duty he wrote:

"This morning we are in preparation to meet Santa Anna. We will only
be about seven hundred to march, besides the camp guard. But we go
to conquest. The troops are in fine spirits, and now is the time for
action. I leave the result in the hands of an all-wise God, and I rely
confidently in his Providence.

"SAM HOUSTON."[5]

The women and children, under a competent guide, continued their march
eastward. But they were worn out. Many were unable to put their feet to
the ground. The wagons were crowded with these helpless ones. The Senora
had so far recovered as to understand that within a few hours Santa Anna
and the Americans must meet. And, mentally led by Isabel's passionate
hatred, she now showed a vindictiveness beyond that of any other woman.

She spent hours upon her knees, imploring the saints, and the stars, and
the angel Michael, to fight against Santa Anna. To Isabel she whispered,
"I have even informed the evil one where he may be found. The wretch who
ordered such infamies! He p