swept down the river with a most cutting effect, and the morning opened upon the most haggard countenance of Don Juan, for no less a personage was the alcalde.

On the morning of the 23d the camp was moved several miles below, to where the alcalde informed us the provision would be brought. That day passed without his promise being fulfilled, and he grew exceedingly restless. On the night of the 23d the norther continued to blow, and we again had the mutual honour of sleeping with each other in the same affectionate manner - we with Don Juan, and Don Juan with (as he called us) Commodore Verde, which means, in their language, green. Don Juan, not knowing what the non-compliance of his order as to the provisions would bring about, grew still more restiff. His dreams were anything but pleasant, if we were to judge from his nervous excitability, and sleeping exclamations of halters and bullets. His restlessness, together with the cold weather and the want of more blankets, failed to inspire us "with visions of an apple and a bee," which his wayward namesake brought to the downy pillow of the fair [79] Dudù, and I arose in the morning much worried by my courtly protection of his honour Don Juan the younger.

Captain Baker and his spy company had been kept upon the west side of the river during this time, and on the morning of the 25th captured a Mexican and sent him into camp, who, upon being examined, informed our commander, that after the requisition had been started down in compliance with the alcalde's order, the troops of General Ampudia9 and Canales had arrived and stopped them; that they numbered about seven hundred men, with two field-pieces, and had taken a position upon the west bank of the river two miles below, to prevent our farther progress down. Upon the receipt of this information a council of war was held, when it was unanimously agreed to cross the river and fight them. Our troops commenced crossing about 2 o'clock P.M., Captain Baker and his spies in advance. At 4 o'clock all was crossed over and ready to march, when a brisk fire was heard in the direction of the enemy's position. In a few minutes a courier arrived from Captain Baker, stating that two of his most efficient spies had been captured, Samuel H. Walker,10 of Galveston, and Patrick Lusk, of Washington, and that he was in a position which he would endeavour to maintain until he could be succoured. Upon the receipt of this information a forced march was ordered to his relief, and upon our arrival in sight of the enemy they retreated [80] rapidly in the direction of the city. Walker had proved himself a daring and efficient spy when General Woll occupied Bexar. After he was brought a prisoner into Mier, he was examined by General Ampudia as to our numbers, intentions, &c., and told in advance by the general "that if he told him a falsehood his life should pay the forfeit of it." Walker replied "that his life was in the general's hands, but that it was neither our habit or nationality to lie." After Walker's telling him that our effective remaining force was about 300 men, General