vis at once
began to arrange the little garrison for defence.

Many of the Texans even yet would not believe. So great had been their
confidence that they had sent out no scouting parties. Only a day or two
before they had been enjoying themselves at a great dance. The boy who
had come with the news that Santa Anna was at hand must be distraught.
Certainly he had looked like a maniac.

A loud cry suddenly came from the roof of the church of San Fernando.
Two sentinels posted there had seen the edge of a great army appear upon
the plain and then spread rapidly over it. Santa Anna's army had come.
The mad boy was right. Two horsemen sent out to reconnoiter had to race
back for their lives. The flooded stream was now subsiding and only the
depth of the water in the night had kept the Mexicans from taking cannon
across and attacking.

Ned's faint was short. He remembered putting on clothing, securing a
rifle and ammunition, and then he ran out into the square. From many
windows he saw the triumphant faces of Mexicans looking out, but he paid
no attention to them. He thought alone of the Texans, who were now
displaying the greatest energy. In the face of the imminent and deadly
peril Travis, Crockett, Bowie and the others were cool and were acting
with rapidity. The order was swiftly given to cross to the Alamo, the
old mission built like a fortress, and the Texans were gathering in a
body. Ned saw a young lieutenant named Dickinson catch up his wife and
child on a horse, and join the group of men. All the Texans had their
long rifles, and there were also cannon.

As Ned took his place with the others a kindly hand fell upon his
shoulder and a voice spoke in his ear.

"I was going to send for you, Ned," said Bowie, "but you've come.
Perhaps it would have been better for you, though, if you had been left
in San Antonio."

"Oh, no, Mr. Bowie!" cried Ned. "Don't say that. We can beat off any
number of Mexicans!"

Bowie said nothing more. Much of Ned's courage and spirit returned, but
he saw how pitifully small their numbers were. The little band that
defiled across the plain toward the Alamo numbered less than one hundred
and fifty men, and many of them were without experience.

They were not far upon the plain when Ned saw a great figure coming
toward him. It was Old Jack, who had been forgotten in the haste and
excitement. The saddle was still on his back and his bridle trailed on
the ground. Ned met him and patted