nstruction of the place was such
that but few of the pieces could be placed to advantage, and even then
hardly any of the soldiers knew how to do any effective firing.

Next in command to Travis was Colonel James Bowie, already mentioned in
these pages, and among the best of the fighters was Davy Crockett,
celebrated as a hunter and trapper, who had come down to Texas, with
twelve other Tennesseans, about three weeks before the arrival of Santa
Anna. Crockett carried with him his favourite rifle, "Betsy," and as a
fighter on this memorable occasion proved a whole host in himself.

"We'll whip 'em," said Crockett, confidently. "They can't stand up
against real Americans."

"You're right, Davy," answered Bowie. "An American who isn't equal to a
dozen greasers isn't fit to live." And so the talk ran on from one to
another of the garrison. Once Crockett came to Dan, and eyed him
curiously.

"You're rather a young soldier boy," he observed.

"Yes, sir, but I can shoot."

"Can you bring down a bird on the wing?"

"Yes, he can, and he has done it lots of times," put in Poke Stover.

"If that's so, he's all right," said Crockett.

Santa Anna did not make an immediate attack on the Alamo, for the
reason that all of his troops had not yet arrived, and because he
wished to give his soldiers a little rest after the long journey
northward. He ordered General Castrillon to knock down some of the old
houses near the river, and construct a bridge with the timbers.

"They are going to build a bridge!" was the cry that went through the
Alamo.

"A bridge? Where?" asked Crockett, and, when told, he smiled, and
patted his rifle. "Let 'em try it!"

The Mexicans did try, and soon a detachment of at least a hundred were
at work. About forty of the garrison, led by Bowie and Crockett, opened
fire upon the workers, and at least a dozen were killed.

"Down they go!" was the cry. "Give 'em another round!" And again the
rifles cracked at a lively rate. With thirty killed outright, and a
number badly wounded, the Mexicans left the river in a great hurry, and
hid in the neighbouring houses.

On February 24th, Travis sent out a strong appeal for assistance. "I am
besieged by a thousand or more of Mexicans, under Santa Anna," he
wrote. "I have sustained a continual bombardment for twenty-four hours,
and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at
discretion; otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword if the
place