"The Mexican commander there is treating the people with great cruelty and he is sending out parties to harass lone Texan homes.

We mean to smite him." Potter spoke with a certain solemnity of manner and he had the lean, ascetic face of the Puritan.

Ned judged that he was from one of the Northern States of New England, but Obed, a Maine man, was sure of it.
"Friend," said Obed, "from which state do you come, New Hampshire or Vermont?
I take it that it is Vermont." "It is Vermont as you rightly surmise," replied Potter, "and the accent with which you speak, if I mistake not is found only in Maine." "A good guess, also," said Obed, "but we are both now Texans, heart and soul; is it not so ?" "It is even so," replied Potter gravely.

Then he and Obed reached across from their horses and gave each other a powerful clasp.
"You will go with us to Goliad and help smite the heathen ?" said Potter.
Obed glanced at his comrades, and all of them nodded.
"We were riding to San Antonio," said the Maine man, "to find out what was going on there, but I see no reason why we should not turn aside to help you, since we seem to be needed." "Our need of you is great," said Potter in his solemn, unchanging tones, "as we are but few, and the enemy may be wary.

Yet we must smite him and smite him hard." "Then lead the way," said Obed.