hts before. Upon being hailed they
alighted, and politely requested permission to join their party. This
was gladly assented to, as they were now entering a region desolated by
the war between the Texans and the Mexicans, and where many small bands
of robbers were wandering, ready to plunder any weaker party they might
encounter.

The next morning they crossed the river and pushed on for the fortress
of Alamo. When within about twenty miles of San Antonio, they beheld
about fifteen mounted men, well armed, approaching them at full speed.
Crockett's party numbered five. They immediately dismounted, made a
rampart of their horses, and with the muzzles of their rifles pointed
toward the approaching foe, were prepared for battle.

It was a party of Mexicans. When within a few hundred yards they reined
in their horses, and the leader, advancing a little, called out to them
in Spanish to surrender.

"We must have a brush with those blackguards," said the pirate. "Let
each one single out his man for the first fire. They are greater fools
than I take them for if they give us a chance for a second shot.
Colonel, just settle the business with that talking fellow with the red
feather. He's worth any three of the party."

"Surrender, or we fire!" shouted the fellow with the red feather. The
pirate replied, with a piratic oath, "Fire away."

"And sure enough," writes Crockett, "they took his advice, for the next
minute we were saluted with a discharge of musketry, the report of
which was so loud that we were convinced they all had fired. Before the
smoke had cleared away we had each selected our man, fired, and I never
did see such a scattering among their ranks as followed. We beheld
several mustangs running wild without their riders over the prairie,
and the balance of the company were already retreating at a more rapid
gait than they approached. We hastily mounted and commenced pursuit,
which we kept up until we beheld the independent flag flying from the
battlements of the fortress of Alamo, our place of destination. The
fugitives succeeded in evading our pursuit, and we rode up to the gates
of the fortress, announced to the sentinel who we were, and the gates
were thrown open; and we entered amid shouts of welcome bestowed upon
us by the patriots."

CHAPTER XIII.

Conclusion.

The Fortress of Alamo.--Colonel Bowie.--Bombardment of the
Fort.--Crockett's Journal.--Sharpshooting.--Fight outside of the
Fort.--Death