Ned’s first impulse was to go.  He might find Obed White, Will Allen and the Panther out there and bring them back with him, but his second impulse told him that it was only a chance, and he would abide with Crockett and Bowie.

“I thank you for the offer, but I think, sir, that I’ll stay,” he said.

He saw Crockett give him a swift approving glance.  Another was quickly chosen in his stead, and Ned was in the grand plaza when they dropped over the low wall and disappeared in the darkness.  His comrades and he listened attentively a long time, but as they heard no sound of shots they were sure that they were now safe beyond the Mexican lines.

“I don’t want to discourage anybody,” said Bowie, “but I’m not hoping much from the messengers.  The Texans are scattered too widely.”

“No, they can’t bring many,” said Crockett, “but every man counts.  Sometimes it takes mighty little to turn the tale, and they may turn it.”

“I hope so,” said Bowie.

The Mexican cannon were silent that night and Ned slept deeply, awaking only when the dawn of a clear day came.  He was astonished at the quickness with which he grew used to a state of siege and imminent danger.  All the habits of life now went on as usual.  He ate breakfast with as good an appetite as if he had been out on the prairie with his friends, and he talked with his new comrades as if Santa Anna and his army were a thousand miles away.

But when he did go upon the church wall he saw that Santa Anna had begun work again and at a new place.  The Mexican general, having seen that his artillery was doing no damage, was making a great effort to get within much closer range where the balls would count.  Men protected by heavy planking or advancing along trenches were seeking to erect a battery within less than three hundred yards of the entrance to the main plaza.  They had already thrown up a part of a breastwork.  Meanwhile the Texan sharpshooters were waiting for a chance.

Ned took no part in it except that of a spectator.  But Crockett, Bowie and a dozen others were crouched on the wall with their rifles.  Presently an incautious Mexican showed above the earthwork.  It was Crockett who slew him, but Bowie took the next.  Then the other rifles flashed fast, eight or ten Mexicans were slain, and the rest fled.  Once more the deadly Texan rifles had triumphed.

Ned wondered why Santa Anna had endeavored to place the battery there in the daytime.  It could be done at night, when it was impossible for the Texans to aim their rifles so well.  He did not know that the pride of Santa Anna, unable to brook delay in the face of so small a force, had pushed him forward.

Knowing now what might be done at night, Ned passed the day in anxiety, and with the coming of the twilight his anxiety increased.

CHAPTER X

CROCKETT AND BOWIE