The Texan Star | Page 6

to the regular supper there was an ice and a bottle of Spanish
wine.
"The President has just given an order that the greatest courtesy be
shown to you at all times," said de Zavala, "and I am very glad. I, too,
have people in that territory of ours from which you come--Texas."
He spoke with undeniable sympathy, and Ned felt his heart warm
toward him, but he decided to say nothing. He feared that he might
betray by some chance word the plan that he had in mind. But Mr.
Austin, believing in others because he was so truthful and honest
himself, talked freely.
"All our troubles will soon be over," he said to de Zavala.

"I hope so, Señor," said the young man earnestly.
By and by, when de Zavala and the soldier were gone, Ned went again
to the window, stood there a few moments to harden his resolution, and
then came back to the man.
"Mr. Austin," he said, "I am going to ask your consent to something."
The Texan looked up in surprise.
"Why, Edward, my lad," he said kindly, "you don't have to ask my
consent to anything, after the way in which you have already sacrificed
yourself for me."
"But I am not going to stay with you any longer, Mr. Austin--that is, if I
can help it. I am going back to Texas."
Mr. Austin laughed. It was a mellow and satisfied laugh.
"So you are, Edward," he said, "and I am going with you. You will help
me to bear a message of peace and safety to the Texans."
Ned paused a moment, irresolute. There was no change in his
determination. He was merely uncertain about the words to use.
"There may be delays," he said at last, "and--Mr. Austin, I have decided
to go alone--and within the next day or two if I can."
The Texan's face clouded.
"I cannot understand you," he said. "Why this hurry? It would in reality
be a breach of faith to our great friend, Santa Anna--that is, if you could
go. I don't believe you can."
Ned was troubled. He was tempted to tell what was in his mind, but he
knew that he would not be believed, so he fell back again upon his
infinite capacity for silence. Mr. Austin read resolution in the closed
lips and rigid figure.

"Do you really mean that you will attempt to steal away?" he asked.
"As soon as I can."
The man shook his head.
"It would be better not to do so," he said, "but you are your own master,
and I see I cannot dissuade you from the attempt. But, boy, you will
promise me not to take any unnecessary or foolish risks?"
"I promise gladly, and, Mr. Austin, I hate to leave you here."
Their quarters were commodious and Ned slept alone in a small room
to the left of the main apartment. It was a bare place with only a bed
and a chair, but it was lighted by a fairly large window. Ned examined
this window critically. It had a horizontal iron bar across the middle,
and it was about thirty feet from the ground. He pulled at the iron bar
with both hands but, although rusty with time, it would not move in its
socket. Then he measured the two spaces between the bar and the wall.
Hope sprang up in the boy's heart. Then he did a strange thing. He
removed nearly all his clothing and tried to press his head and
shoulders between the bar and the wall. His head, which was of the
long narrow type, so common in the scholar, would have gone through
the aperture, had it not been for his hair which was long, and which
grew uncommonly thick. His shoulders were very thick and broad and
they, too, halted him. He drew back and felt a keen thrill of
disappointment.
But he was a boy who usually clung tenaciously to an idea, and, sitting
down, he concentrated his mind upon the plan that he had formed. By
and by a possible way out came to him. Then he lay down upon the bed,
drew a blanket over him because the night was chill in the City of
Mexico, and calmly sought sleep.
CHAPTER II
A HAIR-CUT

The optimism of Mr. Austin endured the next morning, but Ned was
gloomy. Since it was his habit to be silent, the man did not notice it at
first. The breakfast was good, with tortillas, frijoles, other Mexican
dishes and coffee, but the boy had no appetite. He merely picked at his
food, made a faint effort or two to drink his coffee and finally put the
cup back almost full in the saucer. Then Mr. Austin began to observe.