Fall of the Alamo," which I
bought within the walls, is my authority for what has preceded. I quote
from it also the following simple, but telling story of what followed
the speech of Colonel Travis:

"Col. Travis then drew his sword, and with the point traced a line
upon the ground extending from the right to the left of the file.
Then resuming his position in front of the centre, he said: 'I now
want every man who is determined to stay here and die with me to
come across that line. Who will be the first? March!' The first
respondent was Tapley Holland, who leaped the line at a bound,
exclaiming, 'I am ready to die for my country!' His example was
instantly followed by every man in the file, with exception of
Rose ----. Every sick man that could walk arose from his bunk, and
tottered across the line. Col. Bowie, who could not leave his bed,
said: 'Boys, I am not able to come to you, but I wish some of you
would be so kind as to move my cot over there.' Four men instantly
ran to the cot, and each lifting a corner carried it over. Then
every sick man that could not walk made the same request, and had
his bunk moved in the same way.

"Rose was deeply affected, but differently from his companions. He
stood till every man but himself had crossed the line. He sank upon
the ground, covered his face, and yielded to his own reflections. A
bright idea came to his relief; he spoke the Mexican dialect very
fluently, and could he once get out of the fort, he might easily
pass for a Mexican and effect his escape. He directed a searching
glance at the cot of Col. Bowie. Col. David Crockett was leaning
over the cot, conversing with its occupant in an undertone. After a
few seconds Bowie looked at Rose and said: 'You seem not to be
willing to die with us, Rose.' 'No,' said Rose, 'I am not prepared
to die, and shall not do so if I can avoid it.' Then Crockett also
looked at him, and said: 'You may as well conclude to die with us,
old man, for escape is impossible.' Rose made no reply, but looked
at the top of the wall. 'I have often done worse than climb that
wall,' thought he. Suiting the action to the thought, he sprang up,
seized his wallet of unwashed clothes, and ascended the wall.
Standing on its top, he looked down within to take a last view of
his dying friends. They were all now in motion, but wha