CAPTAIN DAN HENRIF 427 
stipulation of the terms of surrender. I have never seen 
the mode of his escape correctly related yet, so that it is 
worth while to give it in his own version. 
The Mexicans have a mortal hatred of the Meir prisoners, 
one and all—but most particularly do they detest those of 
them who rose at the Salado and escaped from Perote. Dan 
had, unfortunately, not only been prominent in both these 
affairs, but from the fact of speaking the language as well 
as a native, he had always acted as interpreter, and thus 
been put forward more conspicuously than any one of the 
other prisoners. Besides this, he had previously made him- 
self very notorious, too, as a Ranger. All these causes 
combined to make his recognition general and sure at almost 
any point on the whole route to Mexico; and if it had not 
occurred immediately, there was no telling at what moment 
it might occur, and of course, when his body might be made 
the target of their cowardly hate. 
He saw those men who had recognized him whispering 
among themselves, and from his knowledge of the Mexican 
character, felt sure that so soon as the commanding officers 
had retired and left them in charge of the guard, he would 
be shot from the ranks. It fortunately occurred, that when 
they were started, Minon and his staff was moving in the 
same direction down the lines of the Mexican force. Colonel 
Gaines rode a very swift and beautiful mare. Dan rode up 
to his side and whispered to him the discoveries he had made, 
his fears, and his determination. Gaines at once, with a 
generous promptness, proposed that he should take his mare 
to make the attempt upon, as her high-blooded metal would 
distance any Mexican horse with ease. This was precisely 
what Dan desired, and he eagerly accepted the offer. The 
officers had not yet been deprived of their pistols, and the 
holsters of Gaines remained on the saddle. 
The mare was very spirited and fiery, and Dan slily roused 
up all her mettle by touching her with the spur. She began 
