“As you may see for yourselves,” he said, “General Santa Anna has returned to Texas with an overpowering force of brave Mexican troops.  San Antonio has fallen into his hands without a struggle.  He can take the Alamo in a day.  In a month not a man will be left in Texas able to dispute his authority.”

“These are statements most of which can be disputed,” said Major Morris.  “What does General Santa Anna demand of us?”

His quiet manner had its effect upon Urrea.

“He demands your unconditional surrender,” he said.

“And does he say nothing about our lives and good treatment?” continued the Major, in the same quiet tones.

“He does not,” replied Urrea emphatically.  “If you receive mercy it will be due solely to the clemency of General Santa Anna toward rebels.”

Hot anger again made Ned’s heart leap.  The tone of Urrea was almost insufferable, but Major Morris, not he, was spokesman.

“I am not empowered to accept or reject anything,” continued Major Morris.  “Colonel Travis is the commander of our force, but I am quite positive in my belief that he will not surrender.”

“We must carry back our answer in either the affirmative or the negative,” said Urrea.

“You can do neither,” said Major Morris, “but I promise you that if the answer is a refusal to surrender—­and I know it will be such—­a single cannon shot will be fired from the wall of the church.”

“Very well,” said Urrea, “and since that is your arrangement I see nothing more to be said.”

“Nor do I,” said Major Morris.

The Mexicans saluted in a perfunctory manner and rode toward San Antonio.  The three Texans went slowly back to the Alamo.  Ned walked behind the two men.  He hoped that the confidence of Major Morris was justified.  He knew Santa Anna too well.  He believed that the Texans had more to fear from surrender than from defence.

They entered the Alamo and once more the great door was shut and barred heavily.  They climbed upon the wall, and Major Morris and Captain Martin went toward Travis, Bowie and Crockett, who stood together waiting.  Ned paused a little distance away.  He saw them talking together earnestly, but he could not hear what they said.  Far away he saw the three Mexicans riding slowly toward San Antonio.

Ned’s eyes came back to the wall.  He saw Bowie detach himself from the other two and advance toward the cannon.  A moment later a flash came from its muzzle, a heavy report rolled over the plain, and then came back in faint echoes.

The Alamo had sent its answer.  A deep cheer came from the Texans.  Ned’s heart thrilled.  He had his wish.

The boy looked back toward San Antonio and his eyes were caught by something red on the tower of the Church of San Fernando.  It rose, expanded swiftly, and then burst out in great folds.  It was a blood-red flag, flying now in the wind, the flag of no quarter.  No Texan would be spared, and Ned knew it.  Nevertheless his heart thrilled again.