As for the Texans, owing to the impetuosity of their attack, they had only two men killed and twenty-three wounded, though six of these died afterwards--an insignificant loss, which proves once again, the superiority of resolution over hesitation, for most of the Mexicans were killed during the rout. The Texans slept in the field of battle. General Houston, when sending off the Jaguar against the pirates, had said to him:-- "Finish with those villains speedily, and perhaps you will return in time for the battle." These words were sufficient to give the Chief of the partisans wings; still, however great his speed might be, night surprised him, when still ten leagues from the hacienda, and he was compelled to halt, for both men and horses were utterly worn out. On the morrow, at the moment when he was about to start again, he received news of the battle of the previous day, in a very singular manner. John Davis, while prowling among the chaparral according to his wont, discovered a man hidden in the tall grass, who was trembling all over. The American, taking him naturally enough for a Mexican spy, ordered him to get up. The man then fell on his knees, _kissed his hands_, and implored him to let him go, offering him all the gold and jewels he had about him. These supplications and intreaties produced no other effect on the American than converting his suspicions into certainty. "Come, come," he said roughly to his prisoner, as he cocked a pistol, "enough of this folly; go on before me, or I will blow out your brains." The sight of the weapon produced all the effect desired on the stranger, he bowed his head piteously, and followed his captor to the bivouac, with no further attempts to seduce him. "Who the deuce have you brought us?" the Jaguar asked sharply. "On my word," the American answered, "I do not know. He's a scamp I found in the tall grass, who looks to me precious like a spy." "Ah, ah!" the Jaguar said with an ugly smile, "His business will soon be settled: have him shot." The prisoner started, and his face assumed an earthy hue. "One moment, Caballeros," he exclaimed, while struggling in the utmost terror with the men who had already seized him--"one moment; I am not what you suppose." "Nonsense," the Jaguar said with a grin, "you are a Mexican, and that is sufficient." "I am," the prisoner exclaimed, "Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Mexican Republic." "What?" the Jaguar exclaimed in amazement, "You are Santa Anna." "Alas! Yes," the President answered, piteously, for it was really he. "What were you doing concealed in the grass?" "I was trying to fly." "Then you have been defeated?" "Oh, yes! My army is destroyed. Oh, your General is not born for common things, for he has had the glory of conquering the _Napoleon of the West_."[1]