He only hoped that he might get there before the arrival of Santa Anna and his army.

He could not spare the time to seek his comrades, and he felt much apprehension for them, but he yet had the utmost confidence in the skill of the Panther and Obed White.
It was about two hours before noon when Ned set out across the plain.
Usually in this region antelope were to be seen on the horizon, but they were all gone now.

The boy considered it a sure sign that Mexican detachments had passed that way.

It was altogether likely, too, so he calculated, that the Mexican army was now nearer than he to San Antonio.
His flight had taken him to the west while Santa Anna was moving straight toward the Texan outworks.

But he believed that by steady riding he could reach San Antonio within twenty-four hours.
The afternoon passed without event.