vy sound, a measured stroke, came out of the
fog. It was the tolling of the church bell in San Antonio, and for some
reason its impact upon Ned's ear was like the stroke of death. A strange
chilly sensation ran down his spine.

He rode to the very edge of the stream and began to examine it for a
possible ford. San Antonio was on the other side, and he must cross.
But everywhere the dark, swollen waters threatened, and he continued his
course along the bank.

A thick growth of bushes and a high portion of the bank caused him
presently to turn away from the river until he could make a curve about
the obstacles. The tolling of the bell had now ceased, and the fog was
lifting a little. Out of it came only the low, angry murmur of the
river's current.

As Ned turned the curve the wind grew much stronger. The bank of fog was
split asunder and then floated swiftly away in patches and streamers. On
his left beyond the river Ned saw the roofs of the town, now glistening
in the clear morning air, and on his right, only four or five hundred
yards away, he saw a numerous troop of Mexican cavalry. In the figure at
the head of the horsemen he was sure that he recognized Urrea.

Ned's first emotion was a terrible sinking of the heart. After all that
he had done, after all his great journeys, hardships and dangers, he was
to fail with the towers and roofs of San Antonio in sight. It was the
triumphant cry of the Mexicans that startled him into life again. They
had seen the lone horseman by the river and they galloped at once toward
him. Ned had made no mistake. It was Urrea, pressing forward ahead of
the army, who led the troop, and it may be that he recognized the boy
also.

With the cry of the Mexicans ringing in his ears, the boy shouted to Old
Jack. The good horse, as always, made instant response, and began to
race along the side of the river. But even his mighty frame had been
weakened by so much strain. Ned noticed at once that the machinery
jarred. The great horse was laboring hard and the Mexican cavalry,
comparatively fresh, was coming on fast. It was evident that he would
soon be overtaken, and so sure were the Mexicans of it that they did not
fire.

There were deep reserves of courage and fortitude in this boy, deeper
than even he himself suspected. When he saw that he could not escape by
speed, the way out flashed upon him. To think was to do. He turned his
horse without hesitation and urged him forward with a might