her, who this morning stood between us and Fray Ignatius. Will you
let this priest turn the sky black above you?"

"And also, men will fight. What for? Who can tell? The Americans want
so much of everything. Naturally they do not get all they want. What do
they do? Fight, and get killed. Then they go into the next world, and
complain of people. As for Luis, I do not expect to see him again."

Fortunately, the norther moderated at sunset. Life then seemed so much
more possible. Adverse elements intensify adverse fortune, and the
physical suffering from the cold had also benumbed Antonia's spirits,
and made her less hopeful and less clear-visioned. But when she awoke
at the gray dawn of the next day, she awoke with a different spirit. She
had regained herself. She rose quietly, and looked out towards the city.
The black flag from the Alamo and the Missions hung above it. She looked
at the ominous standards, and then the tears sprang to her eyes; she
lifted her face and her hands to heaven, and a few words, swifter
than light, sprang from her soul into the ear of the Eternal Father of
Spirits.

The answer came with the petition--came with the crack of rifle shots;
precise, regular, unceasing.

"Oh God! I thank Thee! Lord of Hosts, Thou art a great multitude!
Isabel! Isabel! The Americans are attacking the city! Our father will
fight his way back to his home! Fray Ignatius can not come to-day. Oh,
I am so happy! So happy! Listen! How the Mexicans are shouting! They are
cheering on the men! What a turmoil!"

"Jesu, Maria, have mercy!" cried Isabel, clasping her crucifix and
falling upon her knees.

"Oh, Isabel, pray for our father, that his angel may overshadow him with
strong wings."

"And Luis?"

"And Luis, and Thomas, and Jack, and Dare. There are prayers for them
all, and love enough to make them. Hark! there are the drums, and the
trumpets, and the gallop of the cavalry. Come, dearest, let us go to our
mother. To day, no one will remember Fray Ignatius."

CHAPTER IX. THE STORMING OF THE ALAMO.

"Now, hearts,
Be ribbed with iron for this one attempt:
Set ope' your sluices, send the vigorous blood
Through every active limb for our relief."

"Now they begin the tragic play,
And with their smoky cannon banish day."

"Endure and conquer. God will soon dispose
To future good our past and present woes:
Resu