They crossed two or three creeks, and also went through narrow belts of forest, but they never halted or hesitated.

Potter and several others knew the way well, and night was the same as day to them.
At midnight Ned saw a wide but shallow stream, much like the Guadalupe.
Trees and reeds lined its banks.

Potter informed him that this was the San Antonio River, and that they were now below the town of Goliad, where they meant to attack the Mexican force.
"And if Providence favors us," said Potter, "we shall smite them quick and hard." "Providence favors those who hit first and hard," said Obed, mixing various quotations.
The men forded the river, and, after a brief stop began to move cautiously through thickets of mesquite and chaparral toward the town, the lights of which they could not yet see.

At one point the mesquite became so thick that Ned, Obed and the Ring Tailed Panther dismounted, in order to pick their way and led their horses.
Ned, who was in advance, heard a noise, as of something moving in the thicket.

At first he thought it was a deer, but the sounds ceased suddenly, as if whatever made them were trying to seek safety in concealment rather than flight.