day. Ned, Smith
and the others on the roof lay down behind the low coping. They had
achieved their long wish. They were in San Antonio, but what would
happen to them there?

Ned peeped over the coping. He saw many flashes down the street toward
the plaza and he heard the singing of bullets. His finger was on the
trigger and the temptation to reply was great, but like the others he
waited.

The faint light in the east deepened and the sun flashed out. The full
dawn was at hand and the two forces, Texans and Mexicans, faced each
other.

CHAPTER XXII

THE TAKING OF THE TOWN

The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold,
but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of
smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the
Mexicans. The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every
minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the
streets. The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly
waiting their opportunity.

Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house. The
boy's heart beat fast but the scene was wild and thrilling to the last
degree. He felt a great surge of pride that he should have a share in so
great an event. From the other side of the river came the rattle of
rifle fire, and he knew that it was the detachment from Burleson
attacking the Alamo. But presently the sounds there died.

"They are drawing off," said Obed, "and it is right. It is their duty to
help us here, but I don't see how they can ever get into San Antonio. I
wish the Mexicans didn't have those cannon which are so much heavier
than ours."

The Texans had brought with them a twelve pounder and a six pounder, but
the twelve pounder had already been dismounted by the overpowering
Mexican fire, and, without protection they were unable to use the six
pounder which they had drawn into the patio, where it stood silent.

Ned from his corner could see the mouths of the guns in the heavy
Mexican battery at the far end of the plaza, and he watched the flashes
of flame as they were fired one by one. In the intervals he saw a lithe,
strong figure appear on the breastwork, and he was quite sure that it
was Urrea.

An hour of daylight passed. From the house of De La Garcia the other
division of Texans began to fire, the sharp lashing of their rifles
so