They threw up a huge cloud of dust as they rode for Santa Rosa.
One of the men yelled above the clatter of hooves, "How much further to Santa Rosa?" "A, quite a few more miles I think," Jean yelled above the din. After several miles of wide open terrain the land became icreasingly craggy and rocky as they got closer to Mexico. As Jean squinted through the cloud of dust they were casting into the air he spotted another dust cloud, headed straight for them. He gave the signal to stop and attempted to study the distant cloud. What he saw made him smile. Ten men dressed in butternut were coming for them, Jean removed his coat to show his uniform as did the others. Then Jarvis unfurled their old battleflag and attatched it to a lance. He lifted it so it could be seen easily by the distant figures. The group of ten got closer one of them yelled something and they slowed down. When they finally reached Jean and his six other men they were going at the trot. A man, apparently their leader, he was too heavily covered with dust to see his rankings, trotted out from among them and rode to Jean whose ranking could clearly be seen.
"I see that I'm addressing a colonel of the Louisina cavalry. My names Grigory, Grigory Nelson. Major, Texas Rifles." "My names Jean Lafitte fine sir. We were heading out this way to see an old friend of ours." "Oh, a friend?" "Yes, a Mr. Brandt. He was in my outfit during the war you see." A smile grew on Grigory's face, "Mr. Brandt, why I work for him." "Really, what do you do?" "Odd jobs, whatever kind of help he needs me and the boys provide." "Could you show us the way-" The large dirty man with his thick beard gave Jean a whack on the back. "Lead you? See'in as your Mr. Brandt's old Colonel I'll stay with you fellas until you get to your place." "Sounds good, what do you say boys?" Jean's men gave a roar of approval. "Well, Mr. Grigory looks like we'll be riding with you."
They rode off in the direction of Mr. Brandt's home.