are
tryin' to do to us we may first do to you. An' with that I reckon we'll
bid you good day, Mr. Urrea."

Urrea bowed, but said nothing. He rode back toward his men, and Ned and
the Panther returned to the grove. Roylston was much better that morning
and he was able to stand, leaning against a tree.

"May I ask the result of your conference," he said.

"There ain't no secret about it," replied the Panther, "but them
Mexicans seem to be almighty fond of you, Mr. Roylston."

"In what way did they show it?"

"Urrea said that all of us could go if we would give up you."

"And your answer?"

The Panther leaned forward a little on his horse.

"You know something about the Texans, don't you, Mr. Roylston?"

"I have had much opportunity to observe and study them."

"Well, they've got plenty of faults, but you haven't heard of them
buyin' their lives at the price of a comrade's, have you?"

"I have not, but I wish to say, Mr. Palmer, that I'm sorry you returned
this answer. I should gladly take my chances if the rest of you could
go."

"We'd never think of it," said the Panther. "Besides, them Mexicans
wouldn't keep their word. They're goin' to besiege us here, hopin' maybe
that starvation or thirst will make us give you up. Now the first thing
for us to do is to get water for the horses."

This presented a problem, as the horses could not go down to the creek,
owing to the steep high banks, but the Texans soon solved it. The cliff
was soft and they quickly cut a smooth sloping path with their knives
and hatchets. Old Jack was the first to walk down it and Ned led him.
The horse hung back a little, but Ned patted his head and talked to him
as a friend and equal. Under such persuasion Old Jack finally made the
venture, and when he landed safely at the bottom he drank eagerly. Then
the other two horses followed. Meanwhile two riflemen kept a keen watch
up and down the creek bed for lurking Mexican sharpshooters.

But the watering of the horses was finished without incident, and they
were tethered once more in the thicket. Fields and another man kept a
watch upon the plain, and the rest conferred under the trees. The
Panther announced that by a great reduction of rations the food could be
made to last two days longer. It was not a cheerful statement, as the
Mexicans must know the scanty nature of their supplies, and would wait
with all the patience of Indians.

"All things, including starvation, come to him who