hrilling place an
hour or so, and it is well worth it. It has been the scene of a
determined bravery of which any country might be proud, and there,
also, a deep tragedy took place which has in it the true spirit of the
daring and the heroic.

On the exterior the Alamo has quite an ancient appearance. The front,
with its characteristic Spanish look and round-topped gable, is plain
and massive, with quite a handsome entablature over the arched
entrance, consisting of four fluted columns, on good bases, all
supporting a horizontal cornice which extends over the main door, and
over a recessed niche at each side for statues. It has all, a grandiose
effect, quite interesting.

Passing in through the door, you find yourself in a well-proportioned
church, long since disused as such, and now owned by the State and
occupied as a museum, filled with relics of the fearful scenes which
took place within the sacred place. Here, in the year 1836, a band of
Texans fortified themselves against the attack of General Santa Anna
and some four or five thousand Mexican soldiers bent on their
destruction.

The siege was laid, and the commanding officer in the Alamo, Colonel
Travis, determined to withstand it to the end. The same spirit filled
the hearts of his brave men. He endeavored to arouse the energies of
the Texans without to come to his relief, but for some reason they did
not. Jealousies and bickerings among other leaders is hinted at as the
cause. The letter which the brave colonel sent tells his story in his
own words. Here it is:

"COMMANDCY OF THE ALAMO, Bexar,

February 24, 1836.

"Fellow-Citizens and Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or
more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continued
bombardment for twenty-four hours, and have not lost a man. The
enemy have demanded a surrender at discretion; otherwise the
garrison is to be put to the sword if the place is taken. I have
answered the summons with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves
proudly from the walls. _I shall never surrender or retreat._
Then I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and of
everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with
all despatch. The enemy are receiving reinforcements daily, and
will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five
days. Though this call may be neglected, I am determined to sustain
myself as long