In the afternoon they crossed the Guadalupe River and pushed toward San Antonio de Bexer. They did not reach the town until long after nightfall; and then Crockett rode directly to the headquarters of Colonel Travis, where he was warmly welcomed.
Travis was a stalwart young man who had gone into Texas much as Crockett himself had done; and he shook hands with the two boys cordially.
“I’m glad to see you,” said he. “Every state in the Union seems to be sending men and boys to help the cause along. In a little while we shall have an army large enough for work against Santa Anna. And then we can begin active operations.”
The boys were then introduced to “Jim” Bowie, known throughout the southwest as the first user of the celebrated “Bowie knife.” He was a big light-haired man, with the blue eyes of the fighter, and had crossed the prairies from Louisiana, where he had his home, to take part in the coming struggle.
“There’s hardly a day,” said he, after he had greeted the party with rare good will, “that I don’t meet a few newcomers. To-day it’s Colonel Crockett and his friends; yesterday it was an American girl and boy who were racing across the plains near the Colorado with a crew of Mexicans after them full tilt.”
Both Ned and Walter grasped Colonel Bowie’s arm.
“A girl!” said Ned.
“Where is she now?” demanded Walter.
Bowie looked from one to the other of the boys in surprise.
“She’s just now with Mrs. Allison, and, I reckon, sound asleep,” said he. “But there’s the boy in the next room there.”