; and here
the contest was waged. The watchman on the church listened intently
as each report reached his ear, and kept his fingers firmly on
the bell-rope. An hour passed on, and the sun rode high in heaven;
gradually the thundering died away. Quicker grew the breathing, and
tighter the cold fingers clasped each other. The last sound ceased: a
deathlike silence reigned throughout the town, and many a cheek
grew colorless as marble. There came a confused sound of shouts--the
mingling of many voices--the distant tramp of cavalry; and then there
fell on the aching ears the deep, thrilling tones of the church bells.

An intervening bend in the river was quickly passed, and a body of
Mexican cavalry dashed at full gallop across the plain, nor slackened
their pace till secure behind the somber walls of the Alamo.

At intervals of every few moments, small squads pushed in, then a
running band of infantry, and lastly a solitary horseman, reeling in
his saddle, dripping with gore. Madly his wounded horse sprung on,
when just as the fort was gained, his luckless rider rolled senseless
at the entrance. One deep groan was echoed from church to fortress.
Victory, which had hovered doubtful o'er the bloody field, settled at
last on the banner of the "Lone Star." Against what fearful odds is
victory ofttimes won! The intrepid Texans, assaulted by forces which
trebled their own, fought as only Texans can. With unerring precision
they lifted their rifles, and artillerymen and officers rolled
together in the dust. The brave little band conquered, and the flying
Mexicans left them sole masters of the field of the "Horseshoe." On
the hill which rose just beyond the town stood, in bold relief against
the eastern sky, a tall square building, to which the sobriquet of
"Powder-House" was applied. Here, as a means of increased vigilance,
was placed a body of horse, for the purpose of watching the plain
which stretched along the river. Fearing every moment to see the
victorious Texans at the heels of their retreating infantry, they had
orders to dash in, at the first glimpse of the advance-guard of the
enemy. But night closed and none appeared, and, dreading the morning
light, many lay down to sleep at the close of that eventful day.
Several hours elapsed, and then the Texan forces, under General
Burleson, wound across the valley, and settled along the verge of the
town. The Alamo was beleaguered.

Forced, as it were, to remain a witness of