Life and Adventures of Ben Thompson the Famous Texan. Page: 47
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LIFE OF BEN THOMPSON. 47
ing to protect me if it could be helped. It was then too
late to take satisfactory action that evening, but I began to
make my arrangements immediately. I sent Julius across
the river to the camp of Captain Carrington, with instructions
to tell George L. Robertson, William M. Grumbles,
Tom Hill, Joe Owens, and Hardin Walsh, to come down the
river to a well-known high point on the east bank and show
themselves at three o'clock next day; to bring an extra
horse, and to come well armed. In order to avoid collision
that night with the Mexicans, should they get ready to attack,
I went after dark into the chapparel and there remained
till morning; but it was a useless precaution, the
Mexicans did not come. Timing myself as well as I could,
Julius having returned, and informed me that the boys
would be on hand, I went to the agreed point, but could
see nothing of my friends, nor indeed any living soul. My
movements had been too open now to return to Mr. Riddle's,
it was necessary to cross the river, and if need -be to
take to the chapparel, and by patient and cautious traveling
gain the camp of my friends. There were no boats,
but there was a good flat log on the bank that would serve
every purpose. Julius and I launched this log, straddled
it, and made good time across the turbid stream. When
nearing the shore, what was our consternation to see a
troop of Mexican cavalry about half a mile off and gazing
intently at us. I had no doubt but that I had been recognized,
but I was greatly puzzled to see them standing still,
when they, if they wanted me, should have been in rapid
motion. The mystery, however, was quickly solved. In
the next few moments our friends were standing on the
bank opposite where we were about to land, they had become
confused in a canon and was displayed in aiming at
the point.
"The Mexicans had seen us and our friends also, and
this evident concert of action and meeting between us, put
Mr. Mexican to thinking, and not being able to think correctly,
when riding rapidly, they had stopped to unravel
what they did not understand. The delay enabled us to
form a jointure with our friends, and thus, what a moment
before. was the nettle danger, was now the flower safety.
I felt decidedly better when I found a good horse under
me, and strong, intrepid friends around. I was not afraid
then, let the Mexicans do what they might, they could but
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Walton, W. M. Life and Adventures of Ben Thompson the Famous Texan., book, 1956; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38114/m1/52/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.