“And they’ll be on their way there, while we are steaming down toward New Orleans,” put in Walter, well pleased.
“That’s about the size of it,” said Colonel Crockett. “But to succeed we can’t let it rest as it lies. We must do something further; for they are pretty cute and not of the sort that fly off on a thing without feeling as sure as they can that it’s all right.”
But just what further step he meant to take the colonel didn’t say; apparently he enjoyed the suspense and excitement of the boys as much as he did the joke on Huntley and his companions.
Next day the boys spent in riding over the country with Crockett and Captain Cumby and interviewing a number of gentlemen who were interested in recruiting men and forwarding war material down the Red River to be used in the Texans’ war with Mexico. They arrived at Cumby’s plantation once more in about the middle of the afternoon; after supper they sat and talked of the doings of the day, and the prospects of success for Texas. Then Dolph entered.
“The whole lot of them’s snooping around and waiting,” said he. “And they’ve got their horses down the trail a piece.”
Crockett chuckled.
“All right, Dolph,” said he. “You might as well get our mounts ready. And then we’ll be off.”
In a half hour there came a clatter of hoofs outside.
“Now, youngsters,” said Crockett, “just do what I do; and say what I say, and ask no questions.”
They followed him outdoors. He had his long rifle across his back; his knife and hatchet were in his belt. The boys were attired, at Crockett’s request, as though for a long journey.