usband and father were under its inhuman shadow. So most probably
were Darius Grant and Luis Alveda. It was even likely that Jack might
have returned ere the fight, and was with the besiegers. Every time they
went to the window, it filled their hearts with horror.

In the middle of the afternoon it suddenly disappeared. Antonia watched
it breathlessly. Several times before, it had been dropped by some
American rifle; but this time it was not as speedily replaced. In a
few minutes she uttered a shrill cry. It was in a voice so strained,
so piercing, so unlike her own, that the Senora leaped from her bed.
Antonia turned to meet her mother with white, parted lips. She was
speechless with excess of feeling, but she pointed to the Alamo. The
black flag was no longer there! A white one was flying in its place.

"IT IS A SURRENDER!" gasped Antonia. "IT IS A SURRENDER!" and, as if
in response to her words, a mighty shout and a simultaneous salute of
rifles hailed the emblem of victory.

An hour afterwards a little Mexican boy came running with all his speed.
He brought a few lines from Don Lopez. They had evidently been written
in a great hurry, and on a piece of paper torn from his pocket-book,
but oh! how welcome they were. The very lack of formality gave to them a
certain hurry of good fortune:

"May you and yours be God's care for many years to come,
Senora! The Mexicans have surrendered the Alamo, and asked
for quarter. These noble-minded Americans have given it. The
Senor Doctor will bring you good news. I rejoice with you.
"LOPEZ NAVARRO."

Death and captivity had been turned away from their home, and the
first impulse of these pious, simple-hearted women was a prayer of
thanksgiving. Then Antonia remembered the uncomfortable state of the
household, and the probable necessities of the men coming back from
mortal strife and the shadow of death.

She found that the news had already changed the domestic atmosphere.
Every servant was attending to his duty. Every one professed a great joy
in the expected arrival of the Senor. And what a happy impetus the hope
gave to her own hands! How delightful it was to be once more arranging
the evening meal, and brightening the rooms with fire and light!

Soon after dark they heard the swing of the garden gate, the tramp of
rapid footsteps, and the high-pitched voices of excited men. The door
was flung wide. The Senora f