g spirits of the revolution
that no half-way measures would now do. They only produced half-way
enthusiasm. For this end, Houston spoke out with his accustomed
boldness:

"Gentlemen, we must declare the independence of Texas, and like our
fore-elders, sink or swim by that declaration. Nothing else, nothing
less, can save us. The planters of Texas must feel that they are
fighting for their own constitution, and not for Mexican promises made
to them twelve years ago and never yet kept."

The simple proposition roused a new enthusiasm; for while Urrea was
hastening towards Goliad, and Santa Anna towards San Antonio, and
Filisola to Washington, the divided people were becoming more and more
embittered. The American soldiers, who had hitherto gone in and out
among the citizens of San Antonio during the day, and only slept in the
Alamo, were conscious of an ominous change in the temper of the city.
They gathered their recruits together and shut themselves in the
fortress.

Again Thomas Worth urged them to fall back either upon the line of
Houston at Gonzales, or Fanning at Goliad; but in the indecision and
uncertainty of all official orders, Crockett thought it best to make the
first stand at the Mexican city.

"We can, at least," he said, "keep Santa Anna busy long enough to give
the women and children of our own settlements time to escape, and the
men time to draw together with a certain purpose."

"The cry of Santa Anna has been like the cry of wolf! wolf!" said Bowie.
"I hear that great numbers that were under arms have gone home to
plant their corn and cotton. Do you want Santa Anna to murder them
piecemeal--house by house, family by family? Great George! Which of us
would accommodate him with a prolonged pleasure like that? No! he shall
have a square fight for every life lie gets"; and the calm, gentlemanly
Bowie was suddenly transformed into a flashing, vehement, furious
avenger. He laid his knife and pistols on the table, his steel-blue eyes
scintillated as if they were lightning; his handsome mouth, his long,
white hands, his whole person radiated wrath and expressed the utmost
lengths of invincible courage and insatiable hatred.

"Gentlemen," answered Travis, "I go with Crockett and Bowie. If we hold
the Alamo, it is a deed well done. If we fall with it, it is still
a deed well done. We shall have given to Houston and Fanning time to
interpose themselves between Santa Anna and the settlements."

"We have no