nnon
got stuck, and the men had to put their shoulders to the wheels to help
things along. Volunteers came and went, and so did the settlers, and
sometimes the commander could not calculate how many men he had to rely
upon in case of emergency. Yet on struggled the body until, on March
28th, the army reached San Felipe. From here they went up the Brazos
and encamped near Groce's Ferry.

In the meantime, Santa Anna's army was pressing forward, but in several
different ways. The Mexican general had thought that the slaughter at
the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad would make the Texans submit
without further difficulty. He had yet to learn that it was indeed
liberty or death with these stern people, who were so soon to risk
their all in one final contest.

One portion of the Mexican army, having gained the Colorado, crossed in
rafts, while another portion moved upon San Felipe; and then a portion
of the concentrated forces went to Fort Bend. From here Santa Anna
pushed on, through the rain and mud, to Harrisburg, hoping to surprise
the town; but, when he arrived, the place was practically abandoned.

He wished most of all to capture the heads of the government the Texans
had set up, and, learning they were off for Galveston Island, he set
out on the march for New Washington, which is located just north of
Galveston Bay.

Houston, hearing that Santa Anna had at last crossed the Brazos, began
to march south to meet him. The Texans encamped at Buffalo Bayou,
opposite to what was left of the smoking ruins of Harrisburg. Every
soldier was now more than eager to fight.

"Very well; fight you shall," said General Houston.

"We will! We will!" shouted the soldiers.

Then Houston continued: "Some of us may be killed, and some must be
killed. But, boys, remember the Alamo!"

"Yes, we will remember the Alamo!" came back in a deep chorus. "Down
with every Mexican in the State of Texas!"

Buffalo Bayou was crossed with great difficulty, on rafts and by
swimming, and the soaked and weary army took its way to Lynch's Ferry,
where the Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River join. Here were found
some rafts belonging to the Mexicans, piled high with army stores, and
these were confiscated. Falling back to a shelter of live-oaks, General
Houston planted his cannon, and then prepared to fight the enemy on
sight.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE VICTORY OF SAN JACINTO.

"I reckon we are in for it now, father."

"Yes, Dan, we s