In one room of a deserted cabin Houston sat with Major Hockly, dictating to him a military dispatch.

They had no candles, and Houston was feeding the fire with oak splinters, to furnish light enough for their necessity.

In the other room, the Worth family were gathered.

Antonia, in preparing for their journey, had wisely laid a small mattress and a couple of pillows in the wagon; and upon this mattress the Senora and Isabel were resting.
Doctor Worth and Thomas sat by the fire talking of Fannin's delay; and Antonia was making some corn-meal cakes for their supper.
When the Senora's portion was given to her she put it aside, and lifted her eyes to Antonia's face.

They asked the question forever in her heart, "Is Jack coming ?" and Antonia pitifully shook her head.
Then the poor woman seemed to have reached the last pitch of endurance.
"Let me die!" she cried.