Slowly she passed through the narrow yard, and entered the street; pausing, she glanced up at her window, and perceived through the grating the blaze and smoke now filling the vacant room.
Distinctly the clank of the chain fell on her ear, and turning into an alley, she galloped away.
Inez knew it would be impossible to pass over the bridge, and down the Alameda without detection, for seven hundred Mexican troops were stationed on the outskirts of the town; and, with the celerity of thought, she directed her way in the opposite direction, toward a shallow portion of the river, occasionally used as a ford.

Happily the distance was short; and urging her somewhat unwilling horse, she plunged in.

The moon rose full and bright as she reached the opposite bank; and pausing a moment, she looked back upon the sleeping town.
No sound of life fell on her ear; and avoiding the beaten track, she turned her horse out on the grass, and hastened on toward the east, directing her course so as to pass beyond the Powder-House, which was dimly seen in the distance.

At a quick canter it was soon passed, and she pressed on to the Salado, some three miles distant.

Full well she knew she would be sought for when morning dawned; and with such speed she almost flew on, that sunrise found her many miles from her home, Inez was fearless, or she would never have dared to undertake what lay before her.