“I ought to be praying for all those men trying to make a new government for Texas over in San Felipe. They argued and fought amongst themselves until I am not sure the Lord will have patience with them much longer. You should be glad you vacated Bexar as soon as you did, James. There arose quite a squabble over putting together an expedition to march on Matamoros and invade Mexico.”

“I heard a little about it,” James said. “I decided I’d had all the fightin’ I needed for a while.”

“They’re near coming to blows in San Felipe. Governor Smith is against invasion. So’s Sam Houston. You know they’ve made him a general, and he’s trying to raise an army. He says he doesn’t want any men wasted on a fool’s errand. Says they’ll all be needed much closer to home. A big part of the Consultation is for an invasion, though. I fear Texas will be so badly divided that the Mexicans can just walk in and swarm over us like hornets.”

Andrew asked, “Do you think they’ll come back?”

James answered before Fairweather. “I talked to Elizandro before I left Bexar. He believes it’s just a matter of waitin’ for the grass.”

Fairweather frowned darkly. “I fear it may not be that long. I have heard things that shake me to the core. There are reports that Santy Anna even now is marching up toward Laredo with a large army of fresh troops. If that is true, then he will soon meet up with Cós and his thousand soldiers on their retreat. When they put those two forces together, it will be a fearsome thing to behold.”

James pointed out, “Cós gave his promise at Bexar that he would never invade Texas again.”

“Cós is a general, but Santy Anna is the presidente. He can overrule any treaty Cós has made.” Fairweather’s one eye looked grim. “So you see, young gentleman, the new year may bring great tribulation to this poor benighted Texas.”

Andrew said, “I’ll pray that you’re wrong.”

Fairweather replied, “I have prayed the same thing, many times. But the Lord does not promise to always send us the answer we want to hear.”

Fairweather saddled up after resting a while to let his big dinner settle. “Whichaway you headed?” James asked him.

“South. There are Texans scattered along the Rio Grande, watching for Santy Anna and his minions. I expect they’ll be needing to hear the Word to gird them for the fight.”

Andrew said anxiously, “You’ll inquire about Michael along the way, won’t you?”

“That I will. He and I have not always gotten along as Christian brothers, but I respect him as a good and strong man. If I find him I will send word. If possible, I will send him.”

“We couldn’t ask no more,” Andrew said.

Cousin Frank came out to stand with James and Andrew as they watched Fairweather ride away, moving in a southerly direction with a cold, damp wind blowing at his back. James shivered, but not altogether from the cold. The good meal had soured on his stomach. “If he’s right, what’re we goin’ to do?”