and went upon the wall, where he resolved to watch all
through the night. He saw the lights in the wood where the Mexicans were
camped, but darkness and silence prevailed everywhere else. He had no
doubt that young Urrea had sent messengers back to hurry up the main
force. He smiled to himself at the thought of Urrea. He was sure that
the young Mexican had sustained no fatal injury, but he must have
painful wounds. And Ned, with the Alamo as vivid as ever in his mind,
was glad that he had inflicted them.

Midnight came, and Ward told Ned that he need not watch any longer when
the second relay of sentinels appeared. But the boy desired to remain
and Ward had no objection.

"But you'll be sleepy," he said, in a good-humored tone, "when we start
at the break of day, and you won't have much chance to rest on a long
march."

"I'll have to take the risk," said Ned. "I feel that I ought to be
watching."

Toward morning the men in the mission were awakened and began to prepare
for the march. They made considerable noise as they talked and adjusted
their packs, but Ned paid no attention to them. He was listening instead
to a faint sound approaching the town from the south. No one in the
church or on the walls heard it but himself, but he knew that it was
steadily growing louder.

Ned, moreover, could tell the nature of that sound, and as it swelled
his heart sank within him. The first spear of light, herald of dawn,
appeared in the east and Ward called out cheerfully:

"Well, we are all ready to go now."

"It is too late," said Ned. "The whole Mexican army is here."

CHAPTER XVI

FANNIN'S CAMP

When Ned made his startling announcement he leaped down lightly from the
wall.

"If you will look through the loophole there," he said to Colonel Ward,
"you will see a great force only a few hundred yards away. The man on
the large horse in front is General Urrea, who commands them. He is one
of Santa Anna's most trusted generals. His nephew, Captain Urrea, led
the cavalry who besieged us yesterday and last night."

Captain Ward looked, but the Mexicans turned into the wood and were
hidden from sight. Then the belief became strong among the recruits that
Ned was mistaken. This was only a little force that had come, and Ward
and King shared their faith. Ward, against Ned's protest, sent King and
thirteen men out to scout.

Ned sadly watched them go. He was one of the youngest present, but he
was first in experien