They hunted for an hour after sunrise, before they found a small brook,
at which they drank, and, in spirit, returned the thanks which Obed had
said so emphatically were due. Then, wrapped in the useful serapes, they
went to sleep once more in a thicket. They had been sure that the
Mexicans could not trail them, and their confidence was justified. When
they awoke in the afternoon no human being was in sight, and their
loaded rifles lay undisturbed beside them.

Then they entered upon the plain, plodding steadily on over a dusty gray
landscape, but feeling that their rifles would be ample protection
against anything that they might meet. The sun became very hot, and they
longed at times for the shade of the forest that they had left behind,
but they did not cease their march. Off to their left they saw towering
mountains with a green film along their slopes that they knew to be
forests of oak and pine; and such was the nature of man that they looked
at them regretfully. Obed White, glancing at Ned, caught Ned glancing at
him, and both laughed.

"That's it," said Obed. "How precious is the thing that slips away. When
we were in the forest we wanted the open country, but now in the open
country we want the forest. But we're making progress, Ned. Don't forget
that."

"I don't," said Ned. "But when we get further North into the vast
stretches of the arid plateau, we must have something more to
carry--water bottles."

"That's so. We can't do without them. Maybe, too, Ned, we can pick up a
couple of good horses. They'd be a wonderful help."

"We'll hope for everything we need," said Ned cheerfully. "Now I wonder,
Obed, if the attack has been made on Texas. Do you think we can yet get
there in time?"

"I hope so," replied Obed thoughtfully. "You were a long time in San
Juan de Ulua, but armies move slowly, and they have plenty of troubles
of their own here in Mexico. I would wager almost anything that no
Mexican force in great numbers has yet crossed the Rio Grande."

"Then we may be in time. Obed, we'll push for the north with every ounce
of strength we have."

"That's just what we'll do. Courage defeats a multitude of sins."

They traveled now for nearly a week in a direction north slightly by
west, suffering at times from heat, and once from a tropical rain storm
that deluged them. While the rain poured upon them, they kept their
serapes wrapped around their powder, and let their bodies take the
worst. The rain