y standing in front of the main
plaza. A brilliant group stood behind an earthen wall, and Ned saw Santa
Anna among them.

"I have brought the prisoner," said Urrea, saluting.

"Very good," replied the dictator, "and now, Captain Urrea, you can join
your command. You have served me well, and you shall have your share in
the glory of this day."

Urrea flushed with pride at the compliment, and bowed low. Then he
hurried away to join the horse. Santa Anna turned his attention.

"I have brought you here at this moment," he said, "to give you a last
chance. It is not due to any mercy for you, a rebel, but it is because
you have been so long in the Alamo that you must know it well. Point
out to us its weakest places, and you shall be free. You shall go north
in safety. I promise it here, in the presence of my generals."

"I have nothing to tell," replied Ned.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure."

"Then it merely means a little more effusion of blood. You may stay with
us and see the result."

All the ancient, inherited cruelty now shone in Santa Anna's eyes. It
was the strange satanic streak in him that made him keep his captive
there in order that he might see the fall of his own comrades. A half
dozen guards stood near the person of the dictator, and he said to them:

"If the prisoner seeks to leave us, shoot him at once."

The manner of Santa Anna was arrogant to the last degree, but Ned was
glad to stay. He was eager to see the great panorama which was about to
be unrolled before him. He was completely absorbed in the Alamo, and he
utterly forgot himself. Black specks were dancing before his eyes, and
the blood was pounding in his ears, but he took no notice of such
things.

The gray bar in the east broadened. A thin streak of shining silver cut
through it, and touched for a moment the town, the river, the army and
the Alamo. Ned leaned against an edge of the earthwork, and breathed
heavily and painfully. He had not known that his heart could beat so
hard.

The same portentous silence prevailed everywhere. The men and women on
the roofs of the houses were absolutely still. The cavalry, their line
now drawn completely about the mission, were motionless. Ned, straining
his eyes toward the Alamo, could see nothing there. Suddenly he put up
his hand and wiped his forehead. His fingers came away wet. His blood
prickled in his veins like salt. He became impatient, angry. If the mine
was ready, why did they not