hen take your fate," said Urrea. "Since you were at the Alamo you know
what befell the defenders there, and this place, mostly in ruins, is not
nearly so strong. Adios!"

"Adios!" said Ned, speaking in a firm tone. But he felt that there was
truth in Urrea's words. Little was left of the mission but its strong
walls. Nevertheless, they might hold them.

"What did he say?" asked King.

"He demanded our surrender."

"On what terms?"

"Whatever Santa Anna might decree, and if you had seen the red flag of
no quarter waving in sight of the Alamo you would know his decree."

"And your reply?"

"I told him that we meant to hold the place."

"Good enough," said King. "Now we will go back to business. I wish that
we had more ammunition."

"Fannin's men may bring plenty," said Ned. "And now, if you don't mind,
Captain King, I'm going to sleep down there at the foot of the wall, and
to-night I'll join the guard."

"Do as you wish," said King, "you know more about Texas and these
Mexicans than any of us."

"I'd suggest a very thorough watch when night comes. Wake me up about
midnight, won't you?"

Ned lay down in the place that he had chosen. It was only the middle of
the afternoon, but he had become so inured to hardship that he slept
quickly. Several shots were fired before twilight came, but they did not
awaken him. At midnight King, according to his request, took him by the
shoulder and he stood up.

"Nothing of importance has happened," said King.

"You can see the camp fires of the Mexicans in the wood, but as far as
we can tell they are not making any movement."

"Probably they are content to wait for the main force," said Ned.

"Looks like it," said King.

"If you have no objection, Captain," said Ned, "I think I'll go outside
and scout about a little."

"Good idea, I think," said King.

They opened the door a moment and Ned slipped forth. The night was quite
dark and, with the experience of border work that he was rapidly
acquiring, he had little fear of being caught by the Mexicans. He kept
his eye on the light burning in the wood and curved in a half circle to
the right. The few houses that made up the village were all dark, but
his business was with none of them. He intended to see, if he could,
whether the main Mexican force was approaching. If it should prove to be
at hand with the heavy cannon there would be no possible chance of
holding the mission, and they must get away.

He continued in