is taken. I have answered the summons with a cannon-shot, and our
flag still waves proudly from the walls. _I shall never surrender, or
retreat!_" Could anything be more unflinchingly patriotic than that?

This appeal was followed by another, and a despatch was sent to Colonel
Fannin, at Goliad, asking him to bring reinforcements without delay.

"They are drawing in closer to us," said Poke to Dan, on the morning of
the 25th, as the two mounted one of the walls for a survey of the
situation. Far off, a portion of the Mexican army could be distinctly
seen.

"A division of the soldiers is approaching with some cannon," answered
the youth. He was right, and presently Santa Anna attempted to plant a
battery three hundred yards south of the gateway to the plaza of the
mission.

"Shall we allow that?" asked the Texan commander, while the Mexican
soldiers were coming up.

"No! No!" came back the cry. "Down with the Mexicans!" And in less than
five minutes the garrison was pouring through the gateway and out on
the plain beyond. The sharpshooters were in front, and so deadly were
their aims that the enemy was speedily forced to retreat, dragging
their cannon with them.

"Hurrah! They are running!" shouted the Texans, joyfully. This second
repulse made them more determined to resist than ever.

But when the following morning came, it was seen that Santa Anna had
taken advantage of the darkness and planted the battery, anyway, and so
well was it protected that none of the guns from the Alamo could reach
it. But the sharpshooters under Crockett watched the gunners, and one
Mexican was shot dead while in the very act of discharging a shot at
the plaza gate.

"It looks as if we might hold this place for an indefinite period,"
said Dan, on the day following. "That is, if we don't fall short of
provisions."

"The meat we drove in will last us for some time, lad," answered
Stover. "And they have found a lot of grain in one of the friar's
houses. But about holding the place, that's a question. We are only
about a hundred and fifty strong. What if Santa Anna storms the place
some night, with several thousand men? We'll all be put to the bay'net
afore sunrise."

"Do you really think he'll do such a barbarous thing, Poke?"

"Think it? I know it. He's one of the most bloodthirsty Mexicans a man
ever met. To surrender to him would be foolish. We've got to do as
Travis says, fight or die."

"Then I'll fight,--and to the bitter