ere were little groups of American soldiers on every
street; this was what he saw, and yet a terrible sense of insecurity
oppressed him.

The city, moreover, was not settling to its usual business, though there
were many preparations for public and private entertainments. After
passing Colonel Bowie, he met David Burnett. The shrewd statesman from
New Jersey had a shadow upon his face. He stopped Doctor Worth and spoke
frankly to him. "We are in greater danger now than when we were under
fire," he said. "Santa Anna will come on us like a lion from the
swellings of Jordan. I wish Houston knew our position as it really is.
We must either have more men to defend this city or we must blow up the
Alamo and be ready to leave it at a moment's notice."

"Why were such favorable terms given to General Cos and his troops? I
cannot understand it."

"I will tell you an amazing fact. When Cos ran up that white flag on the
Alamo, we had not a single round of ammunition left; complaisance
was necessary until Cos made over to us the Mexican arms, ammunition,
property and money."

Worth turned and looked at the fort. A great red flag on which was the
word T-E-X-A-S floated from its battlements, and there were two men
standing on its roof, with their faces westward.

"They are the lookouts," said Burnett, "and we have scouts through the
surrounding country; but Santa Anna will come, when he comes, with tens
of thousands."

"And there is a line where even the coolest courage and the most
brilliant bravery succumbs to mere numbers--Eh!"

"That is what I mean, Doctor."

"Where is Houston?"

"On the Brazos, at the small town of Washington. The council have
established headquarters there."

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of a little bell, and
the doleful supplications of a priest followed by a crowd of idle men
and women. He was begging, "for the sake of the Holy Virgin," alms to
say masses for the soul of an unfortunate, who had not left a peso
for his burial. He droned on, and no one noticed him until James Bowie
stretched his tall figure, sauntered up to the monk and dropped a gold
piece into his cap. He did not stay to hear the exclamations and the
gracias, but with steps that rang like metal upon metal took his way to
the Alamo.

However, dangers postponed make the most timorous indifferent to them;
and when General Cos did not return, and nothing was heard of Santa
Anna, every one began to take up their