her than desperate
engagements. 'The Swamp Fox' often retired to his island of refuge,
safe from invading bands--the daring Sumter was forced at times to
retreat; and even our great Washington fled from superior forces, and
waited till a more convenient season. Fellow-soldiers: there is one of
two steps to be immediately taken. We will stand to our post, and fall
to a man, like Travis and his noble band, and our names will go down
to posterity as did the Spartans of old,

'Wreathed with honor, and immortal fame;'

or else we set out at once for headquarters, consolidate our forces,
and march united to oppose Santa Anna.

"Comrades, which will ye do?"

No sound was heard along the ranks, each bent his head and communed
with his own spirit; and the image of their distant, yet cherished
homes, rose up and murmured--"Remember thy weeping wife and thy
fair-browed boy; who will guard them when thou art gone?"

The eagle eye of their brave leader was piercingly bent on the
mute assemblage; the momentary gleam of hope that lighted his noble
countenance faded away. There came a faint sound of rising voices--it
swelled louder, and louder still:

"God bless our noble Colonel! our brave Fanning! With him is the
issue. Say but the word, and we will follow!"

"Bryant, I cannot sign their death-warrant!" he said in a low, subdued
tone, sinking his head upon his breast. He lifted himself up, and
raising his voice, calmly replied:

"Had I not received orders to retreat, and if I were not fully aware
that lingering here insured our total destruction, I should scorn to
turn my back upon Goliad! Oh! gladly I would die in its defense;
but your fate is too entirely in my hands to admit of following
my individual wishes! None know the pang it causes me to sound a
'Retreat,' yet it may be, that the success of our cause demands it
at my hands, and therefore I say, 'Retreat, comrades!'--at dawn
to-morrow, we move from Goliad."

The decree went forth, and the ensuing day saw the doomed band moving
eastward toward headquarters they were destined never to reach.

On arriving at Goliad, Dr. Bryant had immediately enlisted, after
placing Inez in safety at the house of an aged Senora of her nation;
and no sooner was it decided to leave the town the following day than
he sought his Spanish friend.

She was sitting alone when he entered, and quickly rising, placed a
seat for him.

"Thank you, Inez, I have only a moment to remain--I com