“You did your work, just the same,” asserted Jim. “Well, so long. See you later.”
“See you later, sure,” agreed Ernest. But he did not see Jim again that evening or night.
Jim strode away. By this time Dick had exchanged greetings with a number of friends. Everybody was rather solemn. A little crowd had collected around the general. He was talking and listening. There was Deaf Smith, and Henry Karnes, and General Ed. Burleson in blue homespun citizen clothes with a pair of pistols in his belt, and Captain Sidney Sherman (a nice-looking, smooth-faced young man) in close-buttoned, short blue jacket trimmed with silver lace, at his side a handsome sword. Conferring with them, General Houston occasionally nodded his large head.
“Let’s go and eat, Ernest,” bade Dick. “We’ll pick up our own horses on the way and turn these other critters into the corral for the public use. They’ll be needed.”
This was done. Duke appeared to be as glad to see Ernest as Ernest was to see him. During the hasty supper of pork and corn-bread and coffee in the house, Dick ventured his opinion.
“Colonel Neill says there are three hundred and seventy-four men here, part militia and part just volunteers unattached, and most of ’em plumb ignorant how to act. Houston’ll have to whip ’em into some sort of military shape. We’ve got plenty food in Gonzales, but it won’t last long, and we need guns and ammunition and wagons and clothing and all that. The people living here are panicky; some have left already for the east and the rest are packing up. Nobody knows what’s happening at the Alamo. Karnes and Deaf Smith think Travis has been wiped out; Burleson thinks not. What we can do with this mob ag’in a big Mexican army is a problem. Fannin’s got a force of four hundred down at Goliad; mainly United States men and well outfitted. If he can join us on the Cibolo, maybe we can go through. But——.”
“Listen, Dick!” interrupted Ernest.
Dusk had fallen, and through it suddenly sounded hurrying feet, shouts, and the shrill cries of women and children.
“News from the west!” uttered Dick. “Bad news, too. The Mexicans must be coming!” He sprang up; his stool went spinning. He seized gun and pistols and followed by Ernest bolted out.
The clamor had swelled. In the dimness men and women were running; doors slammed; voices called wildly.