FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110  
111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   >>   >|  
rd that the army of Santa Anna was on the Texan side of the Rio Grande, but it had seemed impossible to rouse the Texans to a full sense of the impending danger. Many remained at their homes following their usu vocations. Mr. Austin was away in the states trying to raise money. Dissensions were numerous in the councils of the new government, and the leaders could agree upon nothing. Travis, Bowie and Crockett were aware of the great danger, but even they did not believe it was so near. Nevertheless they were full of anxiety. Crockett, just come to Texas, took no command and sought to keep in the background, but he was too famous and experienced a man not to be taken at once by Travis and Bowie into their councils. They were discussing now the possibility of getting help. "We might send messengers to the towns further east," said Travis, "and at least get a few men here in time." "We need a good many," said Bowie. "According to Mr. Crockett the Mexican army is large, and the population here is unfriendly." "That is so," said Travis, "and we have women and children of our own to protect." It was when he spoke the last words that they heard the clatter of hoofs and saw Ned dashing down the narrow street toward the Main Plaza. They heard him trying to shout, but his voice was now so hoarse that he could not be understood. But Ned, though growing weaker fast, knew two of the men. He could never forget the fair-haired Bowie nor the swarthy Crockett, and he galloped straight toward them. Then he pulled up his horse and half fell, half leaped to the ground. Holding by Old Jack's mane he pulled himself into an erect position. He was a singular sight The water still fell from his wet hair and dripped from his clothing. His face was plastered with mud. "Santa Anna's army, five thousand strong, is not two miles away!" he said. "I tell you because I have seen it!" "Good God!" cried Bowie. "It's the boy, Ned Fulton. I know him well. What he says must be truth." "It is every word truth!" croaked Ned. "I was pursued by their vanguard! My horse swam the river with me! Up! Up! for Texas!" Then he fainted dead away. Bowie seized him in his powerful arms and carried him into one of the houses occupied by the Texans, where men stripped him of his wet clothing and gave him restoratives. But Bowie himself hurried out into the Main Plaza. He had the most unlimited confidence in Ned's word and so had Crockett. They and Tra
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110  
111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Crockett
 

Travis

 

clothing

 
danger
 
Texans
 
councils
 

pulled

 

singular

 

weaker

 

forget


ground
 
Holding
 

swarthy

 

galloped

 

straight

 

leaped

 

position

 

haired

 

seized

 

powerful


carried
 

fainted

 

vanguard

 
houses
 

unlimited

 
confidence
 
hurried
 

restoratives

 

occupied

 

stripped


pursued

 

croaked

 
strong
 
thousand
 

dripped

 
plastered
 

growing

 

Fulton

 

government

 

leaders


Nevertheless

 

anxiety

 
background
 

famous

 
sought
 
command
 

numerous

 

impossible

 
Grande
 

impending