old. The grayness of age showed everywhere, and the silence of the
defenders on the walls deepened its ancient aspect. But the Norther had
ceased to blow, and the sun came down, bright and unclouded, through the
open roof.

Ned climbed upon the wall. Bowie, who was behind one of the cannon,
beckoned to him. Ned joined him and leaned upon the gun as Bowie pointed
toward San Antonio.

"See the Mexican masses," he said. "Ned, you were a most timely herald.
If it had not been for you our surprise would have been total. Look how
they defile upon the plain."

The army of Santa Anna was entering San Antonio and it was spread out
far and wide. The sun glittered on lances and rifles, and brightened the
bronze barrels of cannon. The triumphant notes of a bugle came across
the intervening space, and when the bugle ceased a Mexican band began
to play.

It was fine music. The Mexicans had the Latin ear, the gift for melody,
and the air they played was martial and inspiring. One could march
readily to its beat. Bowie frowned.

"They think it nothing more than a parade," he said. "But when Santa
Anna has taken us he will need a new census of his army."

He looked around at the strong stone walls, and then at the resolute
faces of the men near him. But the garrison was small, pitifully small.

Ned left the walls and ate a little food that was cooked over a fire
lighted in the convent plaza. Then he wandered about the place looking
at the buildings and inclosures. The Alamo was so extensive that he knew
Travis would be compelled to concentrate his defense about the church,
but he wanted to examine all these places anyhow.

He wandered into one building that looked like a storehouse. The
interior was dry and dusty. Cobwebs hung from the walls, and it was
empty save for many old barrels that stood in the corner. Ned looked
casually into the barrels and then he uttered a shout of joy. A score of
so of them were full of shelled Indian corn in perfect condition, a
hundred bushels at least. This was truly treasure trove, more valuable
than if the barrels had been filled with coined gold.

He ran out of the house and the first man he met was Davy Crockett.

"Now what has disturbed you?" asked Crockett, in his drawling tone.
"Haven't you seen Mexicans enough for one day? This ain't the time to
see double."

"I wish I could see double in this case, Mr. Crockett," replied Ned,
"because then the twenty barrels of corn that I've found