But he soon saw that they were Texans, and he hailed them.
The two men stopped and watched him as he approached.

The fact that he rode a horse without saddle or bridle was sufficient to attract their attention, and they saw, too, that he was wild in appearance, with long, uncombed hair and torn clothing.

They were hunters who had come out from the little town of Refugio.
Ned hailed them again when he came closer.
"You are Texans and friends ?" he said.
"Yes, we are Texans and friends," replied the older of the two men.

"Who are you ?" "My name is Fulton, Edward Fulton, and I come from the Alamo." "The Alamo?
How could that be?
How could you get out ?" "I was sent out on an errand by Colonel Crockett, a fictitious errand for the purpose of saving me, I now believe.

But I fell at once into the hands of Santa Anna.