"For if I tell Santa Anna that Houston has more men than he has," reasoned John, "he'll be mighty clear of following him a foot further, and will never fight if he can help it. But if I make him believe he can eat the Texans up at a mouthful, he'll push straight on, and I know what will happen then. The Texas boys will whip him out of his boots, or off his wooden leg."
When these usual questions were disposed of, Santa Anna, looking keenly at the boy, asked him if he knew the country thereabouts.
"Yes, your Excellency, I know the ground well on both sides of the Brazos, and for some way east."
"Humph!" said the General, suspiciously; "how comes a boy of your age to be so competent a guide?"
"My father was a ranchero," was the ready reply. "From a little chap, I went with him everywhere, until he died, about a year ago. I know the country almost as well as he did. Try me, and see if I fail."
"Perhaps I shall. My scouts know nothing of this country hereabouts. I have a mind to send you with them on the enemy's track to bring me news of their movements. Knowing the country and the people, you may gain intelligence where they would fail. You can serve me well if you are faithful; and if you are not—well, you deal with Santa Anna!"
"I'll take the job, and the punishment too if I fail," cried John, eagerly. Then, curbing his impetuosity, lest it should excite suspicion, he added, quietly: "I suppose your Excellency will furnish me with a horse? I have none."
"We have a good many, captured from the rebels on the Colorado," said the General, with a smile of grim satisfaction. "You can take your choice. And, muchacho, if you serve me well, your property shall be returned to you uninjured, nor shall that be your only reward."
This was said with a gracious smile. John felt the tiger's claws under the velvet pat; but his terror was gone now, and he exulted in the hope of outwitting the cunning Mexican.
The General's orderly showed him the corral where the captured horses were confined. There was a number of them; but the practised eye of the ranchero soon picked out the horse he wanted—a beautiful black mustang, whose satinlike skin, small head, and large bright eyes showed breeding and intelligence, while his clean-built sinewy limbs gave satisfactory promise of speed and endurance.